PHOENIX – Albert Pujols hit a three-run home run and outscored Mel Ott for 14th in runs scored in the majors, and the Los Angeles Dodgers extended the Arizona Diamondbacks’ losing streak to 17 games with a win Sunday. by 9-8.
Arizona trailed 9-2 before closing with six runs in the eighth when Josh Reddick, Christian Walker and Ketel Marte produced with hits before Josh Rojas finished the inning with a grounder against Victor Gonzalez that left runners in the corners.
Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect inning in the ninth for 18 saves in 20 chances.
Arizona is nearing the longest losing streak in the wild-card era, the Kansas City Royals imposed in July and August 2005. The Diamondbacks have the worst record in the majors at 20-53 heading into a series of 3 home games against Milwaukee. Later, they will travel to San Diego, where they will try to stop a losing streak on the road of 23 games.
The Diamnodbacks are on the worst losing streak in team history, eclipsing 15 this season, they have lost 30 of 32 and 40 of 45 overall.
Pujol’s 673 home run put Los Angeles ahead 4-0 over Alex Young (2-5) and brings his run total to 1,860, one more than Ott, who played from 1926-47 for the New York Giants. Now he’s going for Tris Speaker who’s 1,882.
Pujols, 41, has hit 11 home runs so far this season and is behind only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696) on the home run list. .
For the Dodgers, Pujols 5-2 with one run scored and three produced.
For the Diamondbacks, Venezuelans Asdrúbal Cabrera 4-0 with a run scored; Eduardo Escobar 2-1 with an RBI and David Peralta 5-2 with a run scored. The Dominican Ketei Marte of 4-3 with three runs scored and two produced.
.