Dodgers comeback falls short in loss to Rockies

The Dodgers mounted quite a comeback but fell just short, losing to the Rockies 8-7 on a wild Saturday afternoon at Coors Field.

Once down six runs, the Dodgers rallied for five runs in the seventh inning against Rockies relief pitchers Nick Masset and Boone Logan, the latter in his first game back off the disabled list. The first seven batters reached base in the seventh inning, with four hits and three walks.

Pinch hitter Dee Gordon singled and stole second with one out in the eighth inning, putting the tying run in scoring position, but Adam Ottavino struck out Yasiel Puig and got Hanley Ramirez to ground out to end the threat.

Dan Haren picked the wrong day to return to allowing fly balls, and the Rockies made him pay. One start after getting 11 ground outs and five strikeouts against the Indians in his best start of the year, Haren got only three ground ball outs on Saturday afternoon. Five fly balls told the story of his day.

Drew Stubbs hammered one into the back of the trees beyond the bullpens in right center field for a two-run shot in the third, and Corey Dickerson took him out to right field in the fifth. Those two gave Haren 18 home runs allowed in 18 starts, second-most allowed in the major leagues this season.

The other three fly balls in question were all high fly balls that required long runs from an outfielder, which if you have paid any attention to the Dodgers at all this season you know how these end. Dickerson hit a ground rule double out of the reach of center fielder Andre Ethier in the first inning, and later scored. With two outs and nobody on in the third inning, Justin Morneau hit a fly ball ground rule double that Matt Kemp couldn't reach in left, and he later scored. In the sixth inning, Charlie Culberson hit a fly ball over Ethier in center for a triple that chased Haren from the game.

When it was all said and done Haren allowed eight runs in his 5⅓ innings, pushing his ERA to 4.06 to help remove some of the superficial sheen over what has been a very mediocre season for Haren. What made Saturday so bizarre was that Haren walked none and struck out eight, setting a new season high.

Haren became just the eighth Dodgers pitcher since 1914 to allow eight or more runs while striking out at least eight in a start. The only others besides Haren since the franchise moved to Los Angeles were Hideo Nomo (1996) and Orel Hershiser (1986).

The Dodgers scored two runs on three hits in the first inning against Jorge De La Rosa, who didn't look long for the game. But after that the Dodgers weren't able to do much outside of a pair of A.J. Ellis walks, and De La Rosa didn't allow another hit through the sixth inning.

Up next

Josh Beckett gets the call in the series finale for the Dodgers, going for the series win on Sunday. Yohan Flande gets the call in the series finale for the Rockies, taking time out for running his leftorium to make his third major league start.

Saturday particulars

Home runs: Drew Stubbs (7), Corey Dickerson (11)

WP - Jorge De La Rosa (9-6): 6 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts

LP - Dan Haren (8-5): 5⅓ IP, 10 hits, 8 runs, 8 strikeouts

Sv - LaTroy Hawkins (15): 1 IP, 1 strikeout