Photo Credit: @Dodgers 

POST-GAME BRIEFING

For just over eight innings, the Dodgers couldn’t buy a run. Despite a spectacular start from Walker Buehler, who pitched five innings of shutout baseball in his first game back from the IL, the Dodgers were down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Then, Mookie Betts stepped up to  the plate and obliterated seven innings of equally great work from Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen with a single swing. His solo homer off Kevin Ginkel tied the game and sent it into extra innings. That’s where things went a little bit crazy.

Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the 10^th, but ended up throwing more balls than strikes. A four-pitch walk and a hit batsman later, the bases were loaded for Christian Walker…who walked to knock in the go-ahead run. In the Dodgers’ half of the 10^th, Diamondbacks reliever Junior Guerra overthrew Chris Taylor’s sacrifice bunt, allowing Max Muncy to tie the game all the way from second. Will Smith’s walk-off single to left scored Taylor, and the Dodgers won a wild one, 3-2.

SCORING PLAYS

TOP 6^th: Christian Walker solo home run (1-0 ARI)

BOT 9^th: Mookie Betts solo home run (1-1)

TOP 10^th: Christian Walker bases-loaded walk (2-1 ARI)

BOT 10^th: Chris Taylor sac bunt, error (2-2)

BOT 10^th: Will Smith RBI single (3-2 LAD)

PLAY OF THE GAME

Bottom 10. Taylor on second. Smith at the plate. The baseball takes a ride over the head of David Peralta and off the left field wall. Game over. It’s DLD’s Play of the Game.

Will they or won't they? #WALKOFF pic.twitter.com/CN17j2xbiI

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 3, 2020

I’m giving an honorary mention to AJ Pollock’s play in the top of the 3rd. He catches countless fly balls in center field. This one, however, may be his finest.

AJ Pollock dying. pic.twitter.com/aji5bO3e25

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 3, 2020

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Fresh off the IL, Walker Buehler threw five near-perfect, seemingly effortless innings of shutout baseball tonight…and threw in six strikeouts for extra flair. He also got caught on a hot mic being his f’n self. He’s DLD’s Player of the Game. Welcome back, buddy.

Walker F'n Buehler, 91mph Cutter movement. 😯 pic.twitter.com/V9YqijOgBo

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 3, 2020

UP NEXT

The Dodgers will look to sweep this three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks tomorrow night at 6:40p.m. Clayton Kershaw (4-1, 1.80 ERA) will take the mound looking for his fifth win in his sixth start. The Diamondbacks will counter with right-hander Luke Weaver (1-5, 8.23 ERA).

Amanda Powers is an editor and writer for Dodgers-LowDown. Follow her on Twitter @geekpowers.