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Birthday Blast: Smith's Homer Seals Dodgers Sweep
29 Mar
Summary
- Will Smith hit a go-ahead, two-run homer on his 31st birthday.
- The Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks.
- Eduardo Rodriguez pitched for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
Will Smith's 31st birthday was marked by a dramatic go-ahead, two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning. This clutch hit lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, completing a season-opening three-game sweep. Smith's home run came after Mookie Betts walked, providing the Dodgers with a crucial lead.
Relief pitcher Will Klein (0-1) was credited with the win, allowing one run and striking out one batter in the eighth inning. Edwin Diaz secured his second consecutive save in the ninth, retiring the side with three consecutive flyballs. Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow gave up two runs and four hits over six innings, striking out six in his season debut.
The Diamondbacks were unable to maintain an early 2-0 lead for the third consecutive game in the series. Pavin Smith contributed an RBI single in the first, and Corbin Carroll added a sacrifice fly in the third. Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez allowed one run and four hits in five innings, striking out five. He had previously pitched for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic final.
Freddie Freeman ended an early-season slump by going 3-for-4, including a double that scored Kyle Tucker in the sixth. The Diamondbacks are set to face Detroit's Justin Verlander, while the Dodgers will pitch against Cleveland's Parker Messick in upcoming games.
