Will Smith, David Peralta and Jason Heyward each hit home runs over the first three innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers went on to a 13-4 victory Monday over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a three-game series.
Peralta drove in four runs, while Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman each had three hits for the Dodgers. Betts had three RBIs and Smith finished with two as Los Angeles scored runs in each of the first five innings on the way to a season-best fourth consecutive victory.
Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin gave up three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings with two walks and three strikeouts. Victor Gonzalez (1-0), Los Angeles’ third pitcher, did not give a run over 1 1/3 innings.
Kyle Schwarber hit a home run for the Phillies, who have lost consecutive games following a 7-1 run, but are optimistic for the road ahead. Bryce Harper is expected to make his season debut for Philadelphia on Tuesday after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November.
Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (2-2) was roughed up for eight runs on eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers’ fast start began with a solo home run from Smith in the first inning, his fourth of the season but first since returning Friday from a stint on the concussion injured list.
The Dodgers made it 4-0 in the second inning on a three-run homer from Peralta, his second. Heyward’s solo home run in the third was his fourth.
Schwarber got the Phillies on the scoreboard in the fourth with his seventh home run. The Dodgers responded with Freeman’s two-run single and an RBI single from Smith for an 8-1 lead.
Philadelphia chased Gonsolin in the fifth when they loaded the bases with two outs. Nick Castellanos’ two-run single against Phil Bickford brought the Phillies within 8-3.
Betts’ two-run home run, his fifth, came in the seventh inning to give Los Angeles an 11-4 lead. Peralta’s fourth RBI came on a single in the eighth.
The Phillies used infielder Kody Clemens to pitch in the eighth. The son of Roger Clemens retired two of the three batters he faced while never throwing a pitch over 58 mph.
–Field Level Media
