Diamondbacks 2 - 7 Dodgers
Final
  for this game

Dodgers aim to better playoff chances with sweep of D-backs

Sep 7, 2014 - 2:14 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will be sad to see the Arizona Diamondbacks go, but they'll look to give them a little parting gift: a third straight loss on Sunday in the finale of a three-game series at Chavez Ravine.

The Dodgers have dominated the Diamondbacks all season long, winning 14 of the 18 meetings. They'll go for the sweep today after winning 5-2 on Saturday night.

Dee Gordon highlighted a three-run eighth inning with an RBI single, working a nine-pitch at-bat before singling up the middle to score Roger Bernadina.

"I'm just trying to do my job," said Gordon. "I had a nine-pitch at-bat in a big situation. I'm just happy to help my team."

Hanley Ramirez followed with a ground-rule double that plated two runs for Los Angeles, which still leads San Francisco by two games for first place in the National League West.

Cody Ross and A.J. Pollock drove in the runs for the Diamondbacks, who have dropped four of their last six.

After having his start pushed back a day, Zack Greinke will take the mound for this finale.

Though Greinke has dealt with elbow discomfort this season, manager Don Mattingly said the delay in Greinke's latest start was only meant to separate left-hander's Hyun-Jin Ryu and Clayton Kershaw in the rotation.

The right-handed Greinke won for the first time in four starts on Aug. 23 versus the New York Mets, then did not factor into a 2-1 loss at San Diego on Aug. 30. He yielded a run on four hits and two walks over eight innings, striking out eight.

Greinke is 13-8 with a 2.72 earned run average this season, going 2-0 with a 0.93 ERA in three games versus Arizona in that time. The 30-year-old has limited the Diamondbacks to a pair of runs -- both on solo homers -- over 19 1/3 innings.

Trevor Cahill will start this afternoon for the Diamondbacks and has struggled to go deep into the game in back-to-back losses.

Cahill was pulled after 3 1/3 innings on Aug. 26 versus the Dodgers, charged with eight runs -- six earned -- on six hits and three walks. He then logged four innings versus San Diego on Monday, giving up three runs on five hits and six walks.

The righty fell to 3-10 with a 5.06 ERA and one save in 28 games (13 starts) this year and was disappointed in the number of walks he issued versus the Padres.

"It's been frustrating since I feel like I've been making strides towards limiting the walks and pounding the zone, and then just a day like this where it all kind of crumbles down," said Cahill. "Now you're back to square one."

Cahill is seeking his first win over the Dodgers this season, having gone 0-3 with a save and 9.98 ERA in five meetings with three starts.






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