Recap: Los Angeles vs. Arizona

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Josh Beckett bounced back from a rough outing in his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers and tossed 6 2/3 strong innings to edge the Arizona Diamondbacks, 2-1, on Saturday.

Beckett (1-1) gave up the D'backs lone run after scattering six hits and striking out nine.

"(Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis) did a good job of putting a game plan together, It's all about execution," Beckett said. "The guys played great defense. It's nice to be in the middle of a pennant race, especially in September. From here on we have to win some series."

Andre Ethier and Hanley Ramirez each hit homers for the Dodgers, who snapped an eight-game skid against Arizona.

Brandon League stranded a runner in the ninth to pick up his first save with the Dodgers.

Justin Upton homered for Arizona, which has dropped seven of its last nine.

Matt Albers (0-1) was pegged with the loss after giving up Ethier's long ball in the sixth. Tyler Skaggs started for the D'backs and allowed just one run on five hits and struck out three over five innings.

"Tyler threw very well and kept his composure," Arizona manager Kurt Gibson said. "They hit two home runs and we hit one. That's the extent of it. We needed more offense tonight."

The Dodgers struck first when Ramirez crushed a tape measure shot to right-center in the second inning.

Upton belted a 3-2 fastball into the seats in left field in the third.

But Ethier would give the hosts the lead once again when he smacked a homer to center field.

With Shane Victorino on third in the eighth inning Matt Kemp lifted a fly ball to right field. Victorino broke from home but he was cut down as Upton delivered a strike to the plate to end the inning. Upton delivered a nearly perfect throw home and Victorino lowered his shoulder to plow over Miguel Montero, but the catcher was able to hold on.