Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) advances to third base on a fly ball hit by teammate Jeff Mathis as Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy, right, makes a catch on a late throw during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, right, walks back to the dugout after being called out on strikes by umpire Jerry Layne (24) during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ A.J. Pollock (11) rounds the bases after celebrating his home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers with third base coach Tony Perezchica (8) during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Daniel Descalso (3) scores a run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, right, looks for a late throw to home plate during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Starting pitcher Ross Stripling #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke connects for a run-scoring single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Alex Verdugo is unable to make a catch on a ground rule double hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling (68) waits for a new baseball after giving up a home run to Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nick Ahmed, right, during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) flips his bat away in frustration after being called out on strikes as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jeff Mathis, right, heads back to the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ A.J. Pollock connects for a home run, his second of the night, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor (3) celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Cody Bellinger (35) during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Chase Utley #26 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after a strike out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Nick Ahmed #13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Starting pitcher Ross Stripling #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers talks with catcher Yasmani Grandal #9 on the mound during the fourth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after a strike out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches from the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Alex Verdugo #61 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks through the dugout during the fourth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a RBI triple against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to a strike out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: A.J. Pollock #11 of the Arizona Diamondbacks rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run of relief pitcher Brock Stewart #48 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano #66 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after giving up a solo home run to Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives Breyvic Valera #33 after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Relief pitcher Tony Cingrani #54 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after being hit by a pitch in fromt of catcher Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during seventh inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after being hit by a pitch in fromt of catcher Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during seventh inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 30: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasmani Grandal (9) celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks with teammates and coaches in the dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. Arizona won 8-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Boxberger (31) celebrates with catcher Jeff Mathis, left, after the final out in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers 8-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ A.J. Pollock (11), who had three home runs on the night, celebrates with Deven Marrero (10) after the final out in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers 8-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
An injured Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager watches his teammates warm up prior to a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
An injured Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager stands in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday, April 30, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — After the dust settled between Cody Bellinger and Dave Roberts, after the bloodcurdling verdict on Corey Seager’s right elbow had been revealed, the Dodgers still had a baseball game to play on Monday.
Winning was difficult enough at full strength. It proved even harder in the face of a three-homer game by A.J. Pollock, who stole the show against a pitching staff stretched to the extreme.
The Dodgers lost 8-5 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, their fifth loss in their last six games. Arizona (20-8) extended its lead over the fourth-place Dodgers (12-16) to eight games in the National League West.
The Dodgers burned through five pitchers in the opener of a four-game series. Spot starter Ross Stripling (0-1) got little support from his offense against former teammate Zack Greinke (3-2), who beat the Dodgers for the second time this season.
To his credit, Stripling got 12 outs – seven more than any other Dodgers pitcher. Three relievers allowed at least one run. The other, Tony Cingrani, walked pinch-hitter Alex Avila to load the bases then tagged David Peralta on the hand with a fastball to force a run across in the seventh inning.
Dodger relievers are 4-5 with a 4.69 earned-run average this season. They are 4 for 11 in save opportunities, a stat that might look better if Kenley Jansen had a few more chances to save a game.
“The ’pen will get untracked,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s one thing where you’re trying to keep the game close and keep these guys at bay. You see the guys on the offensive side continuing to battle and chip away. I love the way that we competed until the last out. We really did. We lost by three runs but the fight was there.”
There wasn’t much fight early. Greinke didn’t allow a hit against his former team until Yasmani Grandal (3 for 3) doubled in the fourth inning. He didn’t allow a run until the sixth inning. He’s beaten the Dodgers twice already this season.
Seager’s season-ending elbow injury became official a few hours prior to the game. Whether that was a distraction or not, Bellinger acknowledged it took an emotional toll.
“We knew he was playing through it,” Bellinger said.
Stripling, who is Seager’s roommate in Los Angeles, had a sense the news was coming.
“He said that when it was going to start affecting his swing is when he was going to say something,” Stripling said. “I guess we reached that point.”
Chris Taylor started at shortstop in Seager’s place. Chase Utley batted second. Kiké Hernandez took a turn in center field but was later replaced by Joc Pederson, a rotation that could become a custom. Bellinger batted cleanup one day after Roberts benched him for a lack of hustle.
Maybe the Dodgers’ greatest enemy was not within, or even in the other dugout, but behind the plate.
Greinke struck out 10 in six innings, including seven K’s against left-handed batters. Afterward, the Dodgers were critical of home plate umpire Jerry Layne’s strike zone. Some believed its girth expanded against left-handed batters in particular. Bellinger said “he knows he was brutal back there,” and Stripling conceded he could have taken better advantage of the large zone himself.
“You never want to use the home plate umpire, the zone, as an excuse,” Roberts said. “I do think there were some calls, when you look back at the video, it was a little too liberal. When you have a pitcher like Zack Greinke, his command, he’s going to exploit that. He figured that out early, that he was getting balls off the plate.”
The Dodgers were hoping to get three or four innings out of Stripling, a relief pitcher making his first start of the season. They did, but relying on a bullpen game to outwit the Diamondbacks’ offense proved as futile as it looked on paper.
After Stripling threw eight pitches in a scoreless first inning, Pollock hit the first of his three solo home runs to begin the second. Daniel Descalso followed with a double. Nick Ahmed drove in Descalso with a single, and Ahmed scored on a two-out single by Greinke.
Down 3-0 in the fourth inning, Stripling allowed another solo home run, this one to Ahmed. Stripling got through the outing on 66 pitches, but his durability exceeded his dominance. The right-hander allowed eight hits. All four runs against him were earned, inflating his earned-run average from 0.63 to 2.45.
Brock Stewart took over in the fifth inning and Pollock thwacked another home run to left field, extending the Dbacks’ lead to 5-0. Pollock hit 14 home runs last year. He already has nine this season; five have been hit against the Dodgers.
The Dodgers got a couple runs back against Greinke in the sixth inning. When Max Muncy hit a home run into the Dodgers’ bullpen in the seventh, Arizona led 5-3 and the threat of a competitive game appeared real. It fizzled quickly.
Cingrani took over for Daniel Hudson in the seventh inning, his first appearance since a scary “dead arm” spell Friday in San Francisco. His fastball was back in gear at 94 mph; his control was not.
After Cingrani hit Peralta with the bases loaded, Jarrod Dyson hit a ground ball to Dodgers shortstop Taylor that could have ended the inning. But the ball took a strange hop, Taylor threw high to first base, and Dyson was safe. Another run scored on the play and the Dodgers trailed 7-3.
After scoring a pair of runs in the eighth inning – Pederson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, Matt Kemp another with a single – Josh Fields allowed Pollock’s third home run of the game in the ninth.
Stripling suggested the Dodgers’ wobbly bullpen could benefit from a change of scenery.
“Maybe we’re just ready to play someone else,” he said. “It feels like we’ve played the Giants and the Diamondbacks 30 times each.”
