Mattingly had plenty to say pre and post game before heading east

Yes…Pun definitely intended with my headline as the night after the base-brawl at the Ravine saw actual clean baseball played again and the first place Diamondbacks prevailed in 12 innings 8-6 to send the Dodgers back to 8 1/2 games back in the NL West.

Martin Prado had two RBIs, including a run-scoring double during a four-run 12th inning helping Arizona improve to 8-2 in extra innings while clinching their fourth consecutive series win over the Dodgers. Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin had a 3-0 cushion when he gave up five consecutive hits with two outs in the fifth, allowing the Dodgers to take a 4-3 lead but after several solid innings, the L.A. bullpen folded in the end with Ronald Belisario and now former closer Brandon League faltering in a 4-run 12th. The Dodgers got 2 back in the bottom half including a leadoff homer from catcher Ramon Hernandez but L.A. left the potential winning run at the plate when Tim Federowicz got a good swing on a Heath Bell pitch but grounded to short to end the game which lasted 4 hours and 21 minutes…but who’s counting? Actually me…since this is the 2nd straight night that I left the stadium after 3am. By the way, the stat of the night is the D-Backs are now 13-0 this season when Corbin starts.

This looked like a prison lineup to L.A. fans after the last night’s brawling

The best thing that happened on the night was no repeat of last night’s extra ciruculars including no batters hit by any pitches. Before the game, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly talked with D-backs skipper Kirk Gibson, who got tossed after the two former stars were among those clashing in the melee and you’ll hear what they said in their postgame interviews below. It certainly was very cordial and professional something that hardly surprises anyone who knows Don at all.

Dodger manager Don Mattingly pre-game chat including after-thoughts on the previous night’s shenanigans starting with comments on Yasiel Puig who played some tonight despite being listed as day to day with a sore shoulder (presumably injured in the Tuesday night free for all?):

Don Mattingly postgame:

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson postgame thoughts:

Dodger catcher Ramon Hernandez on starter Ryu and what lies ahead:

Dodger righty Chris Withrow who made his big league debut allowing a run on 3 hits, and a walk in 0.2 innings and showed a very impressive arm so I just had to introduce you to him afterwards:

Dodger Hanley Ramirez returned to pinch hit and said he should be ready to start again on Friday in Pittsburgh:

Dodger pinch hitter Tim Federowicz who made the last out as they potential winning run at the plate:

Dodger do anything guy Jerry Hairston, Jr. who went 0-5 starting in left field but was gracious enough to give me a few minutes to discuss everything from the road trip to his Chicago Blackhawks going 3 overtimes before winning game one over the Boston Bruins in the opener of the Stanley Cup final:

And finally another Dodger catcher A.J. Ellis who’s set to come of the D.L. on Friday…and while packing for the trip in front of his locker, was kind to give me his thoughts on the upcoming days:

So the Dodgers are actually flying to Pittsburgh while I’m writing this inside the pressbox at 2:30am and just finishing at 3:30 with only the sounds of the overnight cleanup crew here. It’ll be their first day off after 20 straight days on the field before starting a weekend series with the Pirates. And since they’ll next face the Yankees in the Bronx for the first time since 1981, I asked some of the guys to comment on playing at the new Yankee Stadium. And FYI, Vin Scully confirmed to me in the elevator on his way out that he will NOT be at Yankee Stadium liked he had hoped when it was first scheduled. It’s just too grueling of a trip with back to back games in New York followed by an overnight flight all the way back to San Diego before a long 4 game weekend series. Vinny will instead join the club next Thursday when they take on the Padres. Have a nice safe trip guys…and mainly stay off of the disabled list for awhile!