Dodgers Escape Colorado With Win

It took Coors Field to bring out Joe Blanton's best game with the Dodgers, and the offense came alive in a 10-8 win over the Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies nearly pulled off the sweep, scoring seven runs in the eighth to pull to within two runs, but the Dodgers held on.

Blanton had allowed 18 runs in 21 innings in his four starts since getting traded by the Phillies, but in the thin air of Denver he was superb, pitching into the eighth inning. Blanton allowed three runs in his 7 1/3 innings, but two of those came in the eighth after getting staked to a nine-run lead.

Perhaps more importantly, the National League leader in home runs allowed did not give up a home run at Coors Field.

The Dodgers rallied for six runs in the third inning, surpassing their output for the first two games of the series combined. The third inning rally was punctuated by a two-run home run by Hanley Ramirez, his 22nd of the season and eighth in 33 games as a Dodger.

A.J. Ellis added a grand slam in the eighth to seemingly put the game away, but Shawn Tolleson (four) and Randy Choate (one) didn't help matters by failing to retire the five combined batters they faced, allowing Colorado to pull to within 10-5.

Ronald Belisario couldn't quite stop the bleeding as three more runs scored on his watch, with the help of a misplay by Shane Victorino in center field, which narrowed the Dodgers' advantage to 10-8. Yet Belisario earned his first save of the year.

Up Next

The Dodgers return home for a seven-game homestand, beginning with a four-game weekend series against the Diamondbacks. Clayton Kershaw starts the series opener for the Dodgers on Vin Scully bobblehead night on Thursday, with Ian Kennedy on the mound for Arizona.

Wednesday's Particulars

Home Runs: Hanley Ramirez (22), A.J. Ellis (11)

WP - Joe Blanton (9-12): 7 1/3 IP, 10 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

LP - Drew Pomeranz (1-8): 4 IP, 6 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 4 strikeouts

SV - Ronald Belisario (1): 1 2/3 IP, 2 hits