Will Smith’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts Dodgers Over Diamondbacks 5-4, Prevents Sweep – Game Recap 8/31/2025

Sunday, August 31st, 2025

Will Smith’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts Dodgers Over Diamondbacks, 5-4

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a dramatic 5-4 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 31, 2025, thanks to a ninth-inning walk-off home run by pinch-hitter Will Smith. The win helped the Dodgers avoid a three-game sweep and maintain a two-game lead in the NL West over the San Diego Padres.

Game Recap

Will Smith, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter, blasted the second pitch he saw from Arizona reliever John Curtiss a projected 420 feet into the left-center field stands. This 17th home run of the season for Smith capped a comeback for the Dodgers, after the Diamondbacks had tied the game in the eighth inning.

Corbin Carroll provided late drama for Arizona, clubbing a three-run homer off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to knot the score at 4-4 with two outs in the top of the eighth. Despite losing the lead, Los Angeles bounced back in the ninth to secure the win.

Pitching Performances

Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a standout start for the Dodgers, allowing just one run over seven innings and matching his career high with 10 strikeouts. He retired the first 10 batters of the game before Ketel Marte reached base on a bunt single. Blake Treinen pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the win.

For the Diamondbacks, Brandon Pfaadt started on the mound, giving up eight hits and four runs across 4 1/3 innings. Carroll, Marte, and Adrian Del Castillo each contributed two hits for Arizona.

Dodgers' Offensive Highlights

Andy Pages drove in two runs for the Dodgers, while Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas each added RBI hits early in the game to help build a lead.

Key Moment

Called upon to pinch-hit for Dalton Rushing in the ninth inning, Will Smith fouled off the first pitch, then launched a 96.4 mph fastball over the heart of the plate deep into the bleachers, securing the Dodgers’ walk-off win.

Key Stat

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has now completed at least seven innings in five of his last 10 starts, showing marked improvement in durability compared to his first 34 career outings, in which he achieved seven innings on just three occasions.

Looking Ahead

The Diamondbacks are set to continue their road trip, sending right-hander Ryne Nelson (7-3, 3.53 ERA) to the mound against the Texas Rangers on Monday. The Dodgers will begin a three-game series in Pittsburgh, with veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw (9-2, 3.06 ERA) scheduled to start on Tuesday.

In summary

The Los Angeles Dodgers rallied to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 with a thrilling walk-off home run by Will Smith. Strong pitching from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and clutch hits throughout the lineup helped the Dodgers avoid a sweep and strengthen their NL West lead. Both teams now look ahead to pivotal matchups as the MLB season continues.

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Will Smith’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts Dodgers Over Diamondbacks 5-4, Prevents Sweep – Game Recap 8/31/2025