Dodgers sweep Arizona, move to three games up

Adrian Gonzalez is a snake killer.

He specializes in Diamondbacks, those that grow in Arizona.

Gonzalez hit two three-run homers today to back up Zack Greinke (14-8) as the Dodgers posted a 7-2 win over the D-Backs for a sweep of their three game series.

San Francisco dropped a 6-1 decision at Detroit, pushing the Dodgers to a three-game lead in the National League West.

Gonzalez is hitting over .400 against Arizona this year and went yard three times this weekend.

Matt Kemp, who seems to be returning to All-Star form more and more every day, homered in Friday’s 2-1 win and went yard today in the series finale.

Greinke struggled early today, giving up a pair of runs in the second and third frames before settling down to put up a six-inning performance. Carlos Frias and Brandon League pitched in relief, holding the D-Backs hitless for three innings and striking out five.

Frias had a strong outing as a starter last week and was dominant today in relief, hitting the gun at 95 mph and showing excellent control.

Hyun-Jin Ryu did not get a decision in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Arizona but did go 6.2 innings and hold the D-Backs to two runs on seven hits and struck out nine. Jamey Wright, Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen pitched out of the pen for the win, Jansen posting his 41^st save.

Dee Gordon and Hanley Ramirez had big hits in Saturday’s win.

On Friday, Dan Haren (12-10) turned in a strong showing on the mound, holding Arizona to one run on four hits through six innings and notching six strikeouts. Kemp had a solo homer and Haren and Ramirez had key hits to pace the Dodgers’ offense.

Pedro Baez, J.P. Howell, Wilson and Jansen pitched in relief.

Frias and Baez have shored up the bullpen and with Clayton Kershaw, Greinke and Ryu at the top of the rotation, the Dodgers pitching staff is emerging as one of the best in baseball.

The Dodgers host San Diego for a three-game set starting tomorrow before heading to San Francisco for a critical three-game set against the Giants next weekend. Kershaw (17-3, 1.70) takes the hill for the Dodgers tomorrow.