PHOENIX — SportsNet LA runs a show called “Dodgers Squeeze Play” where they replay condensed versions of Dodger games.
They could have cut this one down to nine pitches.
That’s how long into the game the Dodgers needed to take a 2-0 lead over an Arizona Diamondbacks team that is one of the least offensive in baseball this season. Walker Buehler took it from there, pitching a three-hit shutout as the Dodgers collected a 4-0 victory on Monday night at Chase Field.
The complete game shutout is the first in the majors this season and the first of Buehler’s career. He had the only two previous complete games of his career in 2018.
Nine pitches were enough for Mookie Betts to draw a walk, Freddie Freeman to lash a double into the right field corner and Trea Turner to drive them both in with a double to left.
The RBI were the 14th and 15th of the season for Turner, tied for third in the National League.
Primarily a leadoff hitter in his career before this, the Dodgers have opted to leave Betts in his comfort zone there and drop Turner into more of a run-producing role, batting third behind Freeman. He has responded, going 10 for 25 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly’s next 89 pitches went better for him. The Dodgers got to him just once more in six innings. Betts led off the sixth with a single, stole second, moved to third on a ground out and scored on Max Muncy’s two-out RBI double.
Betts has begun to emerge from his slow start. Starting with his two-home run game in San Diego on Friday night, Betts has been on base 10 times (four hits, six walks) and scored eight runs in the first four games of this road trip.
Will Smith added a solo home run in the eighth. But the first two runs would have been enough. The Diamondbacks have averaged an MLB-low 2.7 runs per game through their first 18 games this season while batting .183 as a team (also the lowest in MLB).
Dissatisfied with a 4.02 ERA after his first three starts this season, Buehler used the Diamondbacks to do some shaving. He knocked a run and a half off that early-season number (down to 2.55) on Monday night.
Buehler seemed to get stronger as the game went on. He allowed two singles in the first three innings and hit Seth Beer with a pitch in the fourth inning. Those were the Diamondbacks’ only baserunners until a two-out single by David Peralta in the ninth. Buehler struck out 10 and retired 15 consecutive batters at one point.
It was the fourth time this season the Diamondbacks have been held scoreless.
More to come on this story.