LOS ANGELES -- Early in the season or late, home or away, the Dodgers have their hands full with the first-place D-backs.
They were defeated in Thursday night's opener of a four-game Dodger Stadium showdown, 3-1, on David Peralta's three-run homer, dropping two games back when they were aiming for a tie atop the National League West. Arizona has a 9-4 lead in the season series, which resumed for the first time since May 9.
The only Dodgers run scored on torrid Manny Machado's 33rd home run -- and seventh in the last 13 games -- with one out in the sixth inning that chased Robbie Ray (4-2), who earned his first win since June 27.