PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez failed to escape the third inning of Friday’s 14-11 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the balls were flying early at Chase Field.

The Dodgers tagged Rodriguez with eight earned runs in 2.2 innings, slamming nine hits before he could record nine outs. He exited with the bases loaded and two down, and pitching prospect Cristian Mena — in his second MLB appearance — struck out Freddie Freeman to avoid further damage.

Rodriguez surrendered five runs in the third inning, as Friday was his shortest start since signing with the Diamondbacks before the 2024 season.

“I thought the fastball was missing out over the plate,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “He wasn’t dialed in on the edges today. When he’s dialed in on the edges and he’s changing speeds front to back with the changeup, he’s real good. I don’t think he got into a rhythm. I think the Dodgers ambushed him early.”

D-backs starters entered Friday having thrown at least 6.1 innings in three straight games.

Enrique Hernandez hit the lone home run off him in the second, although it would be inaccurate to say this performance was death by a thousand paper cuts. Rodriguez allowed nine balls in play hit over 100 mph.

The third-inning barrage began with a lead-off walk. Rodriguez had Will Smith down 0-2 before losing him.

Freeman followed with a double, Andy Pages with a single, Hernandez hit another single and Miguel Rojas walked. James Outman hit a grounder to first baseman Josh Naylor, who attempted to throw the runner out at home but spiked it. A run scored on the throwing error.

Rodriguez has allowed eight earned runs in two of his last three starts, the other coming at Citi Field against the New York Mets on April 29. He previously had not given up that many earned runs in a game since 2016 with the Boston Red Sox.

His season ERA jumped to 7.30.

Rodriguez said he just didn’t locate well enough in the strike zone with his changeup or four-seamer.

“As of today, I don’t feel there yet, but like I said, just something to keep working on,” Rodriguez said. “Just turn the page and go for the next one. That’s the way I’ve always been.”

The Diamondbacks trailed 8-4 after the first four innings, as Ketel Marte and Eugenio Suarez homered in the first to take a 3-1 lead. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a game-tying grand slam in the fifth, and the D-backs climbed to an 11-8 lead.

The Dodgers, however, scored six runs in the ninth inning to snatch the win.