Gallen, who entered the game with a 9-13 record and a 5.13 ERA, was nearly untouchable through six innings. He allowed just two hits, walked two, and struck out eight Dodgers hitters, displaying exceptional command and keeping the Los Angeles offense off balance. According to ESPN’s box score, Gallen’s outing marked his fifth quality start in his last six games, reinforcing his status as the anchor of Arizona’s rotation.
The Diamondbacks’ offense was sparked by Blaze Alexander, who launched his seventh home run of August off Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell. Alexander, filling in for Eugenio Suarez at third base but starting at second on this night, turned on a 1-0 fastball for a two-run shot in the fifth inning. The rookie has been a revelation since his promotion, slashing .255/.355/.500 in August and earning regular playing time, as confirmed by Arizona’s GM Mike Hazen.
Arizona tacked on another run in the sixth when Corbin Carroll doubled and scored on Gabriel Moreno’s RBI single to right, chasing Snell from the game. Snell, a former Cy Young winner, entered the contest with a 1.97 ERA and had pitched well since returning from the injured list, but was outdueled by Gallen in this matchup.
The win was significant for the Diamondbacks, who have now won 6 of their last 9 games and are pushing to stay in the playoff hunt. Conversely, the Dodgers remain at the top of the NL West, but their offense has shown signs of struggle, having been shut out for the first time in weeks despite a healthy rotation featuring stars like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.
In terms of betting trends, the Dodgers had been 4-0 in their last four games and 8-2 at home in their last ten, while the Diamondbacks had lost five straight road games before this win. The total has gone under in five of the last seven matchups between these teams, a trend that continued in this low-scoring affair. Notably, pre-game odds listed the Dodgers as heavy favorites at -198 on the moneyline, with the Diamondbacks at +163, and the game total set at 8.0 runs, according to NBC Sports.
The Diamondbacks also made roster moves ahead of the series, promoting top prospect Jordan Lawlar to the majors. Lawlar started at third base, with Alexander moving to second and Ketel Marte serving as designated hitter. Arizona also inserted Gabriel Moreno into the lineup for James McCann, who was scratched with lower back tightness, ending McCann’s streak of starts catching Gallen.
Looking ahead, the series continues with Eduardo Rodriguez facing Tyler Glasnow, and then Brandon Pfaadt taking on Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Dodgers remain two games up in the division, but the Diamondbacks are gaining momentum at a crucial point in the season.
For deeper stats, see the official MLB box score and follow the latest updates on the teams’ official pages.