Dodgers vs Diamondbacks: In a wild Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game, the D-backs rallied from a 4–0 deficit to beat the Dodgers 5–4 on a ninth-inning walk-off single. Starter Brandon Pfaadt threw six innings and got a no-decision. Get the full recap, highlights, implications, and where to watch Dodgers vs Diamondbacks.
Introduction & why this matchup matters
The Dodgers vs Diamondbacks always carries extra weight in late September — they’re division mates, often contenders, and every game can shift playoff positioning. Tuesday’s clash was no exception: Los Angeles took an early 4–0 lead behind a dominant start from Shohei Ohtani, only for the Arizona Diamondbacks to mount a rally and score the winning run in the bottom of the 9th via a Geraldo Perdomo two-out, walk-off single. The result narrows the NL West race and keeps Arizona’s wild card hopes alive. Meanwhile, Brandon Pfaadt, Arizona’s rotation anchor, delivered a strong six-inning effort.
This piece will cover:
- full game recap & inning breakdown
- key players & performances
- focus on Brandon Pfaadt (versus Dodgers)
- bullpen missteps & narrative for both clubs
- historical context and rivalry notes
- implications for postseason standing
- where to watch future Dodgers vs Diamondbacks clashes
- meta details, sources, and a feature image concept
Let’s dive in.
Game Recap — Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Highlights & Turning Points
Final Score & Box Score Snapshot
- Final: Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 4
- Arizona hit 5 runs off a late rally. They trailed entering the 9th.
- The D-backs mounted their comeback after being down 4–0 thanks to offensive production and Dodgers’ bullpen collapse.
- Perdomo’s clutch single with two outs in the 9th scored Tim Tawa for the walk-off.
- The Dodgers had built a 4–0 lead through offense and an excellent effort from Ohtani, before the bullpen gave way.
Inning by Inning — Key Moments
- Early innings: The Dodgers got on the board early, capitalizing on offense + Ohtani’s dominance.
- Middle innings: The game remained 4–0 into later frames, but Arizona chipped away.
- 9th inning rally: The D-backs tied in the 9th — Jorge Barrosa hit a sacrifice fly, and then Perdomo delivered the walk-off. The Dodgers’ closer, Tanner Scott, gave up the decisive hit.
- Pfaadt’s exit: He left after six innings, having allowed three runs (on four hits and two walks) with four strikeouts, ultimately taking a no-decision.
Bulls and Bears: Pitching, Bullpen, & Offense
- Ohtani: six shutout innings, eight strikeouts, efficient 91 pitches. Excellent performance overshadowed by bullpen collapse.
- Dodgers bullpen: faltered late. They blew a 4-0 lead, giving up key hits and runs over final innings. From Blake Williams (Dodger Blue recap) to Scott’s surrender, this continues a troubling trend in bullpen reliability.
- Pfaadt: solid outing. As noted, three runs allowed, but enough quality to keep Arizona in it. He struck out four and showed signs of improved command.
- Offensive spark: D-backs hitters methodically chipped away — timely hitting, productive at bats. Perdomo’s walk-off hit is the headline.
Spotlight: Brandon Pfaadt vs Dodgers
Bio & career context
- Brandon Connor Pfaadt (born October 15, 1998) is a right-handed starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- He was drafted in 2020 (5th round) out of Bellarmine University.
- Pfaadt has had ups and downs — he carries a career ERA around 5.04 (as of current season) with a 13-8 record in 2025; he’s shown flashes of dominance and moments of vulnerability.
- Earlier in the season, he tossed one-hit, nine-inning gem but took a loss when his offense failed to back him.
Performance vs Dodgers – this outing & history
- In this game, Pfaadt allowed three runs on four hits and two walks in six innings, striking out four.
- He did better than many recent starts, and has not taken a loss in his last seven outings (a stretch with mixed results but better control).
- He struck out Tommy Edman in the 2nd inning on a foul tip — a highlight of his command in the game.
- His splits against the Dodgers: according to ESPN’s batter vs. pitching stats, hitters like Ohtani, Betts, etc., have had some success. But Pfaadt has held some Dodgers bats in check at times.
What this means
This outing provides some confidence — Pfaadt kept Arizona close, gave length, and avoided a collapse. If he can continue delivering mid-quality starts, the D-backs’ rotation depth gains stability. However, his elevated ERA (5.02) and inconsistency remain concerns. The bullpen behind him must hold the line more reliably for Arizona to consistently compete in tight games.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Rivalry & historical context: Dodgers vs Dbacks
- The Diamondbacks–Dodgers rivalry has heated up over the years, especially since the 2010s, with increasing intensity and postseason clashes.
- Notable moments: In 2023 postseason, Arizona eliminated Los Angeles in the NLDS, highlighted by a historic inning where four different batters homered in one inning (Perdomo, Marte, Walker, Moreno) — a unique feat in MLB postseason history.
- In the regular season, the teams frequently play 10–13 times, and the head-to-head matchups often carry tiebreaker implications for division or wild card races.
- The 2025 season series was tied 5–5 entering this game, underlining the parity between them.
So, every Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game isn’t just “another series” — it’s often a swing for playoff positioning, momentum, and bragging rights.
Implications of this result
For the Dodgers
- They blew a 4–0 lead and now trail in NL West pressure — their bullpen failures loom large.
- They remain in control of the division, but not by much: as of now, their magic number to clinch NL West is three.
- Ohtani’s performance is encouraging: six straight innings with elite stuff, low pitch count. He may factor into postseason rotation planning.
For the Diamondbacks
- The walk-off win keeps their playoff hopes alive — they remain in the NL wild card hunt.
- The resilience to come back shows they have the fight, which could have psychological value heading into season’s final games.
- If Pfaadt and others hold, Arizona might force more pressure in the wild card race.
For future Dodgers vs Diamondbacks matchups
- Dodgers may approach future games with bullpen cautiousness, possibly adjusting bullpen usage or roles.
- Dbacks might gain momentum and confidence, especially at home (Chase Field), and push harder in head-to-heads down the stretch.
Shohei heating up in Arizona. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PrCaYJCkYR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2025
Key players & grades
| Player | Team | Grade / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani | Dodgers | A — six shutout innings, eight K, very efficient. |
| Brandon Pfaadt | Diamondbacks | B+ — quality start, kept Dbacks in the game. |
| Tanner Scott & Dodgers bullpen | Dodgers | D — allowed the tying and walk-off runs; bullpen continues to be a pain point. |
| Geraldo Perdomo | Diamondbacks | A — delivered the walk-off single under pressure. |
| Teoscar Hernández | Dodgers | B — contributed offense (solo HR + two-run triple). |
These grades reflect impact in this game. Ohtani’s dominance was overshadowed by late collapse, but his start was a real bright spot.