SWEPT AWAY

Arizona swept by Dodgers as Darvish dazzles in NLDS Game 3

No one expected them to get as far as they did. Last year, the Arizona Diamondbacks went 69-93. This year, they went 93-69 and then won a thrilling wildcard game last week in front of the home crowd to advance to the National League Division Series. Alas, that’s where the magic ran out. After dropping the first two games in the best-of-five series in Los Angeles, the D-Backs returned to Chase Field, where the odds were seemingly in their favor Monday night. But starter Zack Greinke, who was virtually unbeatable at home all year, got off to a shaky start, giving up a run in the first inning and another in the fifth and leaving the Diamondbacks in a hole they couldn’t climb out of.

The Diamondbacks’ season ended with barely a whimper on Monday night. Their ace did not throw well. Their lineup was silenced. And the Los Angeles Dodgers did something that likely disgusted the Diamondbacks organization and their fans: They enjoyed a champagne celebration at Chase Field.

With a 3-1 win on Monday night, the Dodgers finished off a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series. The Diamondbacks, who won 93 games plus the sudden death wildcard game, are finished.

Right-hander Zack Greinke labored to get through five-plus innings, giving up three runs. The Diamondbacks’ top hitters – Paul Goldschmidt, J.D. Martinez, Jake Lamb, David Peralta and A.J. Pollock – went a combined 1 for 17. It might have been Martinez’s final game with the Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks had no answers for Dodgers right-hander Yu Darvish, who was masterful in working into the sixth. Nor could do they anything against the Dodgers bullpen, which sent four pitchers to the mound and retired 12 of 13 Diamondbacks who came to the plate.

Darvish’s only mistake came to Daniel Descalso, who hooked a slider out to right field for a solo homer in the fifth.

The Diamondbacks appeared fortunate to score at all off him. They were also fortunate the Dodgers didn’t do more against Greinke, who did not once retire the side in order.

For full postgame coverage, including photos and video, from Game 3, visit dbacks.azcentral.com.

MICHAEL CHOW/THE REPUBLIC Fans celebrate the start of Game 3 against the Dodgers at Chase Field. Arizona was down 0-2, making Monday’s game a must-win.

PATRICK BREEN/THE REPUBLIC Fans Marcelo Quezada (left) and Estevan Alicea wait for the Diamondbacks to take the field during Monday’s Game 3 against the Dodgers.

PATRICK BREEN/AZCENTRAL SPORTS Diamondbacks starter Zack Greinke pitches against the Dodgers in a Game 3 loss at Chase Field on Monday. Visit dbacks.azcentral.com for postgame coverage.