Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers held off a late rally from the Arizona Diamondbacks to earn a 9-8 win in Sunday’s series finale at Chase Field that completed a three-game sweep.
L.A. has won 10 of their last 12 games dating back to June 8 and overall boasts a 12-5 record this month. The hot streak couldn’t come at a better time with the Dodgers now entering a pivotal part of their schedule.
The club begins a highly anticipated series with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Monday, then return home for matchups against the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.
“A lot of good things are happening,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the team’s win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday. “I think obviously until that eighth inning, there was a lot of positives.
“But I think overall as far as the series, we played well. We swung the bats really well, took good at-bats, I thought the defense was really good and the pitching was really good. Going into this series, obviously they’re playing really well. We’ve got to play our best baseball.”
The Dodgers making relatively easy work of the Diamondbacks was expected, as Arizona currently owns the Majors’ worst record at 20-53 and is in the midst of an unprecedented 17-game losing streak.
AJ Pollock correctly pointed out that a win is a win and believes the Dodgers must keep their foot on the gas against the Padres. “I think we just took care of business. You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself,” he said.
“I know that team over there has lost some games, but you don’t want to be thinking too far down the road. I think we did a good job of coming in, taking it day-to-day, and we were able to get three wins.
“It was a little tough at the end there, but a win is a win. Now we go and play a good Padres team and we’ll keep the same approach.”
Pollock finding swing
With Father’s Day being celebrated on Sunday, Pollock reflected on his past year as a parent and the challenges that came with it. His daughter Maddi was born three months premature last year and spent months in the hospital before finally coming home.
“We have so much fun with Maddi. She’s getting to that point where she’s exploring everything and kind of starting to stand up a little bit on furniture,” Pollock said Saturday. “When I get to see her it’s the highlight of my day.”
Pollock also said he is beginning to find a rhythm at the plate, which then was supported by a three-hit performance.
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