LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — In a tense, back-and-forth affair that defied pregame projections, the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, securing their second consecutive victory to open the season while handing the Diamondbacks their second straight defeat.

A crowd of 51,540 witnessed a game that was a stark contrast to the previous night’s 8-2 Dodgers rout, with the outcome undecided until the final out. The most important part of the game arrived in the bottom of the eighth inning, with the score deadlocked at 4-4. Arizona reliever Kevin Ginkel, who entered the game having retired all four batters he faced, surrendered a leadoff double to Dodgers second baseman Alex Freeland. After a groundout moved Freeland to third, Kyle Tucker delivered the decisive blow, a sharp ground ball single through the right side that scored Freeland and gave Los Angeles its first and only lead of the night.

The Dodgers’ bullpen made that slim margin stand. Edgardo Henriquez earned the win with a scoreless inning of work in the eighth, and closer Edwin Díaz sealed the victory in the ninth for his first save of the season. Díaz struck out two in a perfect frame, overpowering the heart of Arizona’s order after a two-out walk to Alek Thomas extended the game.

The contest began as a pitcher’s duel before erupting in the middle innings. Arizona struck first in the second when Alek Thomas doubled home Gabriel Moreno, though a relay throw cut down a second run at the plate. Ketel Marte extended the lead in the third with a solo home run to right field off Dodgers starter Jack Dreyer, putting the Diamondbacks ahead 2-0.

That advantage was swiftly erased in the bottom half of the inning against Arizona starter Ryne Nelson. After a flyout, Alex Freeland put the Dodgers on the board with a solo homer. Nelson then walked Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker, bringing Mookie Betts to the plate with two on. Betts, the Dodgers’ star shortstop, launched a three-run shot to center field, catapulting Los Angeles to a 4-2 lead and swinging the game’s momentum entirely.

The Diamondbacks, however, responded immediately in the top of the fourth. Pavin Smith walked and Carlos Santana doubled, setting the stage for Thomas again. The center fielder laced his second double of the game down the right-field line, clearing the bases and tying the game at 4-4. Thomas was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple, but his three RBIs on the night kept Arizona in the fight.

From there, the game transformed into a bullpen battle. Following Nelson’s 4 2/3-inning outing, the Arizona relief corps of Jonathan Loáisiga, Ryan Thompson and Ginkel held the powerful Dodgers lineup to just one hit over 2 1/3 scoreless innings until the fateful eighth. For Los Angeles, relievers Alex Vesia, Henriquez and Díaz combined for three shutout innings, allowing only one walk and one single after the fourth.

The result improved the Dodgers’ early record to 2-0, while the Diamondbacks fell to 0-2. Henriquez moved to 1-0 with the win, while Ginkel took the loss, falling to 0-1.

Offensively, the Diamondbacks out-hit the Dodgers 8 to 4 but stranded key runners, going 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Thomas was the standout for Arizona, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs. Marte added two hits, including his homer. For Los Angeles, Betts’ three-run blast provided the bulk of the offense, with Freeland contributing a homer, a double, and two runs scored, including the game-winner.

The game, which lasted 2 hours and 51 minutes, confounded the pregame statistical models. Interstat’s simulator had projected a 1-0 Arizona victory, while its ELO system gave the Dodgers a 59.9% probability to win. The Dodgers covered the -1.5 spread, and the total of nine runs went under the over/under line of 8.5.

The two National League West rivals continue their opening series Saturday at Dodger Stadium. Arizona will look to secure its first win before returning home to host the Detroit Tigers for a three-game set starting Monday. The Dodgers, after concluding the series with Arizona, will welcome the Cleveland Guardians for three games before embarking on a six-game East Coast road trip.