Tucker’s 8th-inning single lifts Dodgers past Diamondbacks 5-4 on World Series ring night

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kyle Tucker singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, lifting the Dodgers over the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 on Friday night after Los Angeles players received their World Series rings.

Edwin Diaz earned his first save in his Dodgers debut.

Tucker, who joined the team on a $240 million deal in the offseason, contributed for the second straight game. He had his first hit and first RBI in an 8-2 comeback win in the season opener.

Alex Freeland, whose home run gave the Dodgers their first lead in the third, doubled off Kevin Ginkel (0-1). He moved to third on Shohei Ohtani's groundout to second and scored on Tucker's hit to right field.

Diaz had fans on their feet as the former New York Mets reliever entered to Timmy Trumpet's “Narcos.” A trumpeter wearing a Dodgers jersey tooted away. Diaz converted 28 of 31 save chances last season before the Dodgers lured him away with a $69 million, three-year deal.

Diaz erased Carlos Santana on a swinging strikeout. He walked Alek Thomas, who stole second. Jordan Lawler took a called third strike and Diaz retired Ketel Marte on a groundout to shortstop to end it.

Edgardo Henriquez (1-0) got the win in relief, striking out Nolan Arenado in the eighth inning. Arenado struck out four times total.

The Dodgers took a 4-2 lead on Mookie Betts' three-run homer and Freeland's solo shot off Ryne Nelson in the third.

The D-backs led 2-0 on Marte's homer in the second and Thomas' RBI double in the first off Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan.

Arizona LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (9-9, 5.02 ERA) starts Saturday's series finale against RHP Tyler Glasnow (4-3, 3.19).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Arizona Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith, left, is about to be tagged out by Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith as he tries to score on a double by Alek Thomas during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, March 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith, center, is tagged out by Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith as he tries to score on a double by Alek Thomas during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, March 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) leaps for the ball as it goes over the wall for a home run by Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts (50) during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, March 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts, right, hits a three-run home run as Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson, left, and catcher Gabriel Moreno watch during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, March 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Marvin Bagley III scored a season-high 26 points off the bench and Cooper Flagg had 24 to lead the Dallas Mavericks past the Portland Trail Blazers 100-93 on Friday night, snapping a five-game skid.

Naji Marshall had 19 points and five steals for the Mavericks, who had dropped seven of their previous nine games on the road and bounced back from a 142-135 loss at Denver on Wednesday night.

Bagley, who had his most points since scoring 25 last April, shot 11 of 14 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and had nine rebounds. Flagg had four steals for Dallas.

Jrue Holiday scored 23 points and Deni Avdija had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who had their two-game winning streak stopped and fell below .500 at 37-38. Portland, which has clinched a playoff spot and is currently in ninth place in the Western Conference, had won five of its previous six to get back to .500 for the first time in over two months.

Donovan Clingan had 17 rebounds and six points for the Trail Blazers.

The game was tied at 92 with 2:25 remaining after Holiday made a 3-pointer, but the Mavericks sealed the victory with an 8-1 run to end it. Bagley had a layup and a dunk to start the run and Marshall and Brandon Williams combined to make four free throws.

Mavericks: Host Minnesota on Monday night.

Trail Blazers: Host Washington on Sunday night.

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija talks with referee Nick Buchert (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 27, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) hugs forward Naji Marshall, right, after an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Dallas Mavericks forward Marvin Bagley III (35) shoots past Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 27, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)