Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on August 8, 2026 that Los Angeles ground out a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, crediting the pitching staff for competing through traffic late in the game. "That was a tough one. Uh, we'll take it," Roberts said.
Roberts said the pitching staff competed all night even though sharpness varied from pitcher to pitcher. Yoshinobu Yamamoto worked deep into the game for the Dodgers, and Roberts said he "got his pitch count up" but did enough, throwing up zeros through nearly the sixth inning. Evan Phillips recorded a key relief out, and Roberts also credited relief work from Vessia and Tanner in helping close out the win.
Roberts noted this was the first game of the year he saw real intensity from Diaz, particularly after a run scored with a man on third and nobody out. He added that Diaz has been in rehab mode for much of the year, which may explain the lack of intensity until this outing. Roberts also praised a reliever, referred to as "dryer" in the session, for composure and poise in a big spot, saying the pitcher was "a good prepared, good competitor" who made pitches to help finish a double play after a soft infield hit—staying calm rather than letting the moment spiral.
On offense, Roberts said the Dodgers are struggling and need better quality at-bats, explaining that their margin for winning right now is "a razor's edge." He said the team needs a clearer plan at the plate regarding what the pitcher is trying to do and what the situation calls for, adding that the club has too much talent to be scoring only one or two runs. "We're just better than this," Roberts said. One bright spot he pointed to was Kyle Tucker, whose intent and aggressiveness in the hitting zone have improved; Tucker homered in the game, and Roberts said he believed Tucker went one for three with a walk, or possibly one for four, calling his recent at-bat quality encouraging.
Roberts also addressed Shohei Ohtani's throwing progression, saying Ohtani played catch out to 90 feet earlier that day. Roberts said he spoke with Mark and Thomas, who told him Ohtani came out of the session well, though it remains uncertain whether Ohtani will throw again the next day or on Monday as the training staff continues to guide his progression.