Walker, Diamondbacks trounce Dodgers in blowout win

That was a complete flip of Tuesday night’s thriller. Christian Walker had a near perfect night at the plate and helped the Arizona Diamondbacks to a bounce-back 12-4 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Dodger stadium.

The Dodgers were rolling early, with four runs in the first after the Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead. Freddie Freeman launched a three-run home run (his 13th) and then Teoscar Hernandez hit another on the next at-bat (19th) to center field. 

That is where the Los Angeles offense stopped and Arizona’s bullpen stood up for eight innings. 

Dodgers starter Gavin Stone was roughed up for the first time in more than a month. He pitched three innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs. 

The Arizona offense was led once again by Christian Walker, who went 4 for 5 with two home runs and four RBI. The Diamondbacks produced 16 hits and 7 walks while also going 5 for 17 with runners in scoring position.

The Dodgers are now 53-34 and in first place in the National League West. 

Here are the takeaways:

Stone finally cracks  

Stone had six straight starts of allowing three earned runs or less. entering the game. He had his arsenal and velocity working but the command was off, which allowed Arizona to take advantage of balls over the plate with 55 strikes on 77 pitches.

It seemed like a lot of balls were squared up on the Diamondbacks side, but Stone was still around the zone for the most part. Stone’s ERA soared to 3.03.

Mookie joins booth 

Mookie Betts is still recovering from his fractured hand, so he took his talents to the TV booth and worked with  Eric Karros and Joe Davis of Spectrum Sportsnet LA during the first five innings.

Betts said he is  working on moving and squeezing anything with his hand, but was doing shadow work at shortstop pregame. Betts suggested sometime in August as a possible return timeline, but nothing is solid. 

4 Dodgers get snubbed

Will Smith, Betts, Freeman and Hernandez were not selected to start the MLB All-Star Game for the National League. While Betts is recovering from his hand injury and would not have played in the game, they all have a case for starting.

Hernandez leads NL outfielders in home runs (19) and RBIs (59). Freeman has a .300 average and has played solid defense all year. 

Smith has stats that go head-to-head with Milwaukee's William Contreras, but it's close (11 homers, 50 RBIs, .268 BA vs. 10, 51, .299). And Mookie Betts had some of the best stats in the NL (40 RBIs, .304 average) no matter the position.

Shohei Ohtani was named as the starting DH, though the fans are the ones that decide these spots.

The Dodgers will look to win the series on Independence Day at 6:10 p.m., as right-hander Landon Knack (1-1, 2.08 ERA) will face DIamondbacks right-hander Zack Gallen (6-4. 2.83).