Dodgers pound D-backs on getaway day

A baker’s dozen in the des(s)ert

Two of the Dodgers biggest offensive outbursts of the season have come in the last 23 days, both facing Caleb Smith and the Diamondbacks. Sunday’s laugher was 13-0 at Chase Field, chasing Smith after a whopping 70 pitches to record only five outs.

AJ Pollock continued his red-hot July into August with his second four-hit day of the season. He doubled twice, singled twice, and drove in two runs on Sunday. Pollock’s other four-hit game this season came on July 10, a game started by Smith in Los Angeles that saw the Dodgers set a Los Angeles record for runs scored.

Justin Turner hit the go-ahead home run in Saturday’s win, and followed that up with a three-run shot on Sunday, his 20th home run of the season.

Mookie Betts in his first game back off the injured list walked and had two hits, including a home run of catcher Bryan Holaday, who pitched the ninth inning of the blowout. Betts, playing second base on Sunday, also executed a 4-3 double play and made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch ranging into short centerfield.

Throwback weekend

Albert Pujols reached base four times on Sunday as well, finishing off a productive weekend in the desert.

“I think people see the conversations on TV, and obviously the production, but behind the curtain, there’s so much other stuff going on,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday night. “He’s adding to veteran players, to young players, and even the coaching staff. He’s just been very additive.”

In addition to all the bearhugs, Pujols has been productive in his specific role for the Dodgers. He tied Friday’s game with a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning, and even stole a base. Pujols had another pinch-hit RBI single on Saturday, then stayed in the game to deliver another RBI single in the ninth inning.

Sunday meant a start for Pujols, the 18th time he’s started in the 18 games against a left-handed starting pitcher since joining the Dodgers in May. He walked against Smith in the first inning, then in the second inning cleared the bases on Smith’s 42nd and final pitch of the inning.

Pujols against left-handers with the Dodgers is hitting .329/.370/.605 with eight extra-base hits and 20 RBI in 81 plate appearances.

Sunday particulars

Home runs: Justin Turner (20), Mookie Betts (15)

WP — Julio Urías (13-3): 5 IP, 4 hits, 7 strikeouts

LP — Caleb Smith (3-8): 1⅔ IP, 3 hits, 5 runs, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts

Up next

The Dodgers are off Monday before beginning a two-game series at Dodger Stadium against the Astros. Walker Buehler starts Tuesday’s series opener (7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA), with Lance McCullers Jr. going for Houston.