D-backs-Dodgers Game 1: In Real Life
The Dodgers took Game 1 of the National League Division Series presented by T-Mobile with a 9-5 win Friday night over the D-backs. We were on the scene from Dodger Stadium.
1:59 a.m. ET: Turner stays hot, makes history
Make no mistake: Justin Turner loves hitting in October. The Dodgers third baseman tied a franchise record with five RBIs in Game 1, launching a three-run homer in the first inning against D-backs starter Taijuan Walker, before tacking on RBI singles in the fourth and eighth. Turner joined Pedro Guerrero and Davey Lopes as the only Dodgers to knock in five runs in a postseason game. Guerrero did so in Game 6 of the 1981 World Series, after Lopes had done so in Game 1 of the '78 Fall Classic.
1:35 a.m. ET: Think Puig is having fun?
Yasiel Puig hustled out a triple off David Hernandez to lead off the seventh inning and celebrated with an ecstatic tongue wagging after a headfirst slide. The triple was Puig's fastest tracked by Statcast™ at 11.20 seconds.
1:20 a.m. ET: Kershaw stung in 7th
Evidently, Clayton Kershaw and the seventh inning of postseason ballgames do not mix well. Kershaw cruised through six frames Friday night. But Ketel Marte and Jeff Mathis greeted him with back-to-back dingers in the seventh -- both lasers down the left-field line. Kershaw exited after 6 1/3, having allowed four runs on five hits. He's just the ninth pitcher in history to allow four homers in a postseason game. Yu Darvish, now his teammate, most recently did so for Texas in last season's ALDS.
1:10 a.m. ET: Vin takes it all in
Vin Scully is certainly missed in the Dodgers' broadcast booth, but the legendary broadcaster remains a huge fan of the boys in blue. Scully got a huge ovation from the crowd when showed on the video board at Dodger Stadium while enjoying Game 1.
12:50 a.m. ET: Martinez keeps mashing in postseason
J.D. Martinez hit four homers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 4. He added another in the top of the sixth against Clayton Kershaw, a towering blast into the left-field seats that cut the Dodgers lead to 7-2. Martinez's homer -- which traveled a projected 385 feet with a 36-degree launch angle -- was just the fifth against a Kershaw curveball this season. And it wasn't a particularly bad pitch. But Martinez, who now has 30 homers since coming to Arizona at the Trade Deadline, turned around the breaking ball below his knees and deposited it just inside the foul pole.
12:24 a.m. ET: Turner fuels another big frame for LA
Justin Turner hits everything. His three-run dinger in the first came on a fastball at the knees. Then, facing Zack Godley in the fourth, he tacked on an RBI single on a curveball that started at his hands. Turner fought it off and punched a single into center, part of a three-run frame that put the Dodgers up, 7-1. He's the fourth Dodger in history to record four RBIs in a postseason opener -- and the first since James Loney in 2008. Turner needs one more RBI to match the club's postseason record, held by Pedro Guerrero and Davey Lopes.
11:57 p.m. ET: Dodgers have pitching legend on their side
The postseason brings out many famous faces to watch October baseball. For example, LeBron James was cheering on the Indians Thursday during their 4-0 win over the Yankees. And in Los Angeles, a pitching legend took in a ballgame: Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax.
11:40 p.m. ET: Pollock puts power on display
Clayton Kershaw cruised through the D-backs order once, but A.J. Pollock greeted the Dodgers ace with a solo homer on the first pitch of his second at-bat. It was the first hit of the night against Kershaw, who struck out six of the first nine hitters he faced. In 33 career regular-season plate appearances, Pollock had never taken Kershaw deep. He now has three hits -- all for extra bases -- in seven at-bats this postseason.
10:50 p.m. ET: Turner takes Walker deep
Justin Turner wasted no time finding his usual scorching postseason form. The Dodgers third baseman launched a three-run home run in a four-run first inning for Los Angeles against D-backs starter Taijuan Walker. Since joining the Dodgers in 2014, Turner is now slashing .368/.478/.667 in parts of five playoff series. But he didn't do it alone. Each of the first five Dodgers reached base, including Yasiel Puig, who brought home Cody Bellinger with an RBI double. Walker would finally escape after 48 pitches and nine batters faced, with the Dodgers leading, 4-0.
10:25 p.m. ET: Honoring the fallen
A moment of silence is held prior to the game for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting.
10:20 p.m. ET: Newcombe throws first pitch
Don Newcombe opens the festivities by throwing out the first pitch before Game 1.
10:15 p.m. ET: Players introduced; Kershaw takes focus
As the players are introduced on the field, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw preps for first pitch.
9:44 p.m. ET: Stroll down memory lane
Fans need to get their game faces on too.
9:33 p.m. ET: Finishing touches
The Dodger Stadium grounds crew prepares the infield for play.
9:22 p.m. ET: Drawing a crowd
Members of the media watch as the Dodgers take the field for batting practice.
9:14 p.m. ET: We could be in store for one Eck of a series
Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley gives a radio interview before Game 1.
9:08 p.m. ET: Go time
The shirt says it all.
6:33 p.m. ET: Lineups set
D-backs lineup
David Peralta, LF
A.J. Pollock, CF
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
J.D. Martinez, RF
Brandon Drury, 2B
Adam Rosales, 3B
Ketel Marte, SS
Jeff Mathis, C
Taijuan Walker, P
Dodgers lineup
Chris Taylor, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Cody Bellinger, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Curtis Granderson, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
John Forsythe, 2B
Clayton Kershaw, P
6:23 p.m. ET: All the pertinent info
For anyone needing confirmation that the postseason has indeed arrived.
6:15 p.m. ET: Scene-setter
Dodger Stadium is getting ready to raise the curtain on the NLDS.