LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen got the sort of redemption game it needed Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks
After some early struggles, including Tuesday, when the relievers coughed up a chance at victory the home opener, the bullpen gave the Dodgers two scoreless innings Wednesday to nail down a 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.
Alex Wood went seven strong innings and was allowed to start the eighth at 101 pitches but was removed when he gave up a leadoff infield single to Phil Gosselin.
Pedro Baez, who entered with a 4.50 ERA, got a line drive out to center field but was removed after giving up a walk to Jean Segura. So closer Kenley Jansen was called on for a five out-save.
Jansen, who had recorded saves in each of his first two outings this season, ended the eighth with a titan matchup against Paul Goldschmidt, getting the Diamondbacks' slugger to fly out. He retired the side in order in the ninth for his third save this season and first career five-out save.
Five-out saves don't figure to be the norm all season, but manager Dave Roberts hinted before the game that it would be a possibility.
"That's something Kenley and I talked about this winter is extending him, going one-plus and using him potentially in maybe a little bit of an unorthodox situation where we might be down a run and to keep that score right there, or tied where you potentially might not use a closer," Roberts said. "Kenley is open to a lot of different things and obviously that's with respect to usage. But it's more of getting him in there to get outs."
Adrian Gonzalez hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning to get the Dodgers even at 1-1. Chase Utley and Yasiel Puig had two hits each.
