How the Diamondbacks swept the Dodgers without their biggest bats
· Yahoo Sports
LOS ANGELES — The Arizona Diamondbacks’ weekend sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers to close out the first half of the season didn’t just help them climb the standings, but also showcased the kind of team they can be.
Jul 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Tim Tawa (13) runs after hitting a ground-rule double during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
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Going into Dodger Stadium and facing the best team in baseball is rarely an easy task. With the Dodgers sending their ace on the mound for one of those matchups, the D-Backs needed to be almost perfect. While it wasn’t, per se, it was about as close as they could have come against the reigning World Series champions.
What made the sweep even more impressive was who led the way.
Arizona’s top three of Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll didn’t play their best baseball at the plate, collecting just two hits as a trio. With its biggest stars relatively quiet, the club needed the rest of the lineup to step up.
That’s exactly what happened.
Jul 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Tim Tawa, who was recalled from Triple-A Reno on July 5, put together the best series of his young MLB career. He went 7-for-13 with two home runs and seven RBIs, providing timely hits and steady defense at first base while giving the lineup a spark.
Catcher Gabriel Moreno continued his hot stretch at the plate while looking increasingly comfortable in the cleanup spot. His quality at-bats in key situations consistently put him on base and gave the hitters behind him opportunities to drive him in.
Nolan Arenado and James McCann also delivered when Arizona needed them most, coming through with key home runs and RBIs to help put games out of reach.
The offense wasn’t the only reason Arizona completed the sweep.
Jul 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) throws during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
The defense was just as important. Perdomo’s and Arenado’s gloves were on full display on the left side of the infield. The duo took away infield singles and prevented potential extra-base hits, turning would-be opportunities for the Dodgers into outs.
Arizona’s pitching staff may have had its best series of the season. Starters Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt and Mitch Bratt each allowed fewer than three runs in their outings, consistently keeping one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups in check. Behind them, the bullpen was nearly flawless, surrendering just one run all weekend.
Jul 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) throws to first base on a groundout during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
That’s what makes this Diamondbacks team dangerous. Even when its biggest stars go quiet, someone else is ready to step up. Whether it’s timely offense, elite defense or steady pitching, Arizona has shown it can win in a variety of ways.
With the All-Star break here and the second half set to begin, that balance may be the club’s greatest strength as they continue their push toward the postseason.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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