No Concussion Symptoms For Kemp, But Dodgers Dazed In Colorado

In the midst of a pennant race, the Dodgers lost 8-4 to the Colorado Rockies at the house of horrors that is Coors Field of late, but that was not the biggest news of the night.

Unfortunately that honor went to Matt Kemp leaving the game in the bottom of the first inning, two-batters after his Pete Reiser moment: a vicious, full-speed collision with the center field wall while trying to chase down a one-out triple off the bat of Josh Rutledge. Kemp remained on the ground for nearly four minutes, while assistant trainers Greg Harrel and Nancy Patterson tended to his face and mouth (the ball may have struck him as well coming off the wall), and looked at his knee as well.

At first, Kemp amazingly stayed in the game, but just four pitches later he found himself diving for, and missing, Jordan Pacheco's blooper into short right-center field that plated the first Rockies run. Still Kemp stayed on the field for one more batter, but after charging in to field an RBI grounder up the middle delivered by Wilin Rosario, Kemp was pulled from the contest.

Later the Dodgers official twitter account relayed the news:

Matt Kemp left today's game with a right knee contusion. Taken for precautionary x-rays on his jaw. No concussion-like symptoms.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 29, 2012

Also widely reported that Kemp received some stitches. Could have been worse.

UPDATE: Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times is reporting on twitter (@dylanohernandez) that Kemp is scheduled for "an MRI on his knee and a CAT scan on his jaw tonight" and that manager Don Mattingly expects the centerfielder to miss "at least tomorrow's game."

For the seventh time in the last eight games, Dodger starting pitching allowed runs in the first inning. Tonight's handouts were provided by losing pitcher Chris Capuano, who allowed four runs in the initial frame. The lefty eventually lasted six innings on 86 pitches, but was pounded for ten hits and six runs, all earned.

The game was not as close as the final score might make it seem, as the Dodgers trailed by six runs with two innings to play. Until Hanley Ramirez's solo homer to lead off the ninth inning - accounting for the final scoring - the Dodgers offense managed to make nearly the minimum from their scoring opportunities, plating runners on two sacrifice flies from A.J. Ellis and Juan Rivera, and a run-scoring, ground-ball double play courtesy of Adam Kennedy.

The Rockies did their damage with Carlos Gonzalez getting the entire night off.

With San Francisco coming from behind to win 3-2 in Houston, the Dodgers now trail the Giants by 3 1/2 games.

Up Next

The Dodgers don't get long to lick their wounds with a quick turnaround for the getaway day game tomorrow. Joe Blanton gets the start Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. PDT, trying to end the Dodgers three-game losing streak, while the Dodgers offense tries to resuscitate itself against southpaw Drew Pomeranz.

Monday's Particulars

Home Runs: Hanley Ramirez (21), Wilin Rosario (22)

WP - Tyler Chatwood (4-3): 5 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 walk, 4 strikeouts

LP - Chris Capuano (11-10): 6 IP, 10 hits, 6 runs, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts

Sv - None