The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back Mark Ellis to their starting lineup for the first time in seven weeks on Thursday night, but aside from their opening day second baseman returning the bulk of the club's 4-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field came from players who started the season elsewhere.
Scott Van Slyke, who opened the year in Albuquerque, homered for the Dodgers, his first since May 20. Elian Herrera, the 27-year old utility man who also began the year in Albuquerque, hit his first major league home run. Another Albuquerque product, 28-year old Luis Cruz, drove in a run in the first inning and has an RBI in each of his four games as a Dodger.
The Dodgers gave four runs of support to Nathan Eovaldi, who had seen a grand total of three runs scored with him in the game in his first seven starts of the year. Eovaldi used that support and three ground ball double plays to pitch six strong innings, allowing one run for his first win of the season.
Scott Elbert, Ronald Belisario, and Kenley Jansen retired the final nine batters of the game to close out the win, with Jansen striking out the side for his 14th save of the year.
Ellis was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in his return, his first start since May 18.
The Dodgers have now won three straight games and four of their last five, getting further and further removed from losing seven straight games last week. The Dodgers lead the National League West by a hame and a half over the Giants.
Clayton Kershaw gets the start for the Dodgers on Friday night, facing Josh Collmenter for Arizona.
For all your Dodgers news and analysis, be sure to read True Blue LA. To keep up with Diamondbacks news and notes, be sure to read AZ Snake Pit or SB Nation Arizona.
