Joc Pederson homers in fourth straight game as Dodgers beat Arizona, 6-4
Joc Pederson rounds third base after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning Saturday against Arizona.
KEY MOMENT: When Dodgers veterans had Hanson’s “MMMBop” replace rookie Joc Pederson’s usual hip-hop walk-up music on Friday, Pederson hit a grand slam. “I would use the music again if I hit a grand slam,” Manager Don Mattingly said. Pederson went back to the hip-hop Saturday, and he struck out in each of his first three at-bats. But, with the Dodgers trailing 4-3 in the seventh inning, Pederson hit a game-tying home run. He became the first Dodgers rookie to homer in four consecutive games since Bill Sudakis in 1969.
AT THE PLATE: After Pederson homered, Justin Turner doubled and Adrian Gonzalez singled him home. Turner scored the winning run, one of three he scored. Turner homered in the first inning. The Dodgers lead the National League in home runs, with 36 in 23 games. Yasmani Grandal had his first three-hit game as a Dodger, raising his batting average from .179 to .217.
ON THE MOUND: Starter Scott Baker was ineffective — he gave up four runs and seven hits in four innings — but the Dodgers bullpen was brilliant. Juan Nicasio followed Baker with three hitless innings. Yimi Garcia pitched a scoreless eighth — lowering his earned-run average to 1.71 — and Chris Hatcher worked the ninth for his second save.
EXTRA BASES: Mattingly said he hoped outfielder Yasiel Puig (hamstring) would start a rehabilitation assignment at Class A Rancho Cucamonga soon. That could put Puig on course to return early next week. … The Dodgers had Grandal work on his throws to second base before the game. Grandal has thrown out three of 13 runners trying to steal, a 23% rate — better than his career rate of 17%.
UP NEXT: Brett Anderson (1-1, 5.49) faces Arizona’s Chase Anderson (0-1, 4.24) on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020.
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