:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46165470/GettyImages-470381490.0.jpg)
LOS ANGELES -- There were several home runs in a Brandon McCarthy start on Sunday, continuing an early-season trend. But none were allowed by McCarthy, who pitched six scoreless innings to lead the Dodgers to a 7-0 win over the Rockies and a weekend sweep.
The Dodgers have won nine straight games against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium, sweeping them in each of their last three trips to Dodger Stadium.
Sunday's win was the seventh straight for the Dodgers (9-3), their longest since a 10-game winning streak in 2013. They have also scored five or more runs in seven straight games, their longest such streak since an eight-gamer from April 8-16, 2010.
Three home runs were hit by the Dodgers on Sunday, all in a sixth-inning barrage that saw the club blow open a close contest to that point. Howie Kendrick homered, then after a walk was followed by long balls from Scott Van Slyke and Joc Pederson, the Dodgers' first back-to-back home runs this season.
McCarthy, who allowed six home runs in his first two starts, was very effective in Sunday's series finale, allowing only three baserunners through five scoreless innings. On the day he kept the ball on the ground more than in his previous starts, recording five ground outs compared to three fly outs on Sunday.
He also struck out six, giving him 25 in just three starts this year against only three walks.
Colorado threatened in the sixth inning, when old friend Rafael Ynoa led off with a walk followed by a Charlie Blackmon single to put runners at the corners with nobody out. But McCarthy wiggled out of the jam thanks to a pop out to shortstop by Carlos Gonzalez and by snagging a comebacker up the middle from Troy Tulowitzki to start a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.
The fielding play by McCarthy prompted this tweet from his wife, Amanda:
See what glorious things can happen when you CATCH a comebacker @BMcCarthy32
— Amanda McCarthy (@Mrs_McCarthy32) April 19, 2015
Doubles, too
Home runs were the story for the Dodgers on Sunday, with all three hit against relief pitcher Bryce Oberg, who retired just one of his six batters faced.
Scott Oberg is the first pitcher ever to allow three homers to the Dodgers without getting at least two batters out. http://t.co/e7aTA41gXP
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) April 19, 2015
But those weren't the only extra-base hits, as the club also smacked seven doubles.
The Dodgers grabbed an early lead in the second inning, when after a Kendrick leadoff single both Van Slyke and Pederson doubled to left field for a 2-0 advantage.
Doubles were a key all weekend for the Dodgers, who tallied 15 two-baggers in the three game series and passed the Rockies for the major league lead with 36 doubles.
Notes
Justin Turner hit three of those doubles and was 4-for-5 in just his second start of the year. He was 2-for-3 with a double against Rockies starter Eddie Butler, and is 6-for-8 with two doubles and a walk against him in his career.
The Dodgers had 10 extra-base hits as a team for just the 17th time since 1914, and the first time at home since The 4+1 Game in 2006.
Adam Liberatore pitched a perfect seventh and eighth innings on Sunday with two strikeouts, and to date has retired all nine batters he has faced in the major leagues.
Liberatore also batted in the bottom of the eighth, his first career plate appearance. He struck out.
A.J. Ellis was 0-for-10 entering Sunday but collected two hits in the series finale, including a double.
Adrian Gonzalez was 0-for-5, the only Dodgers position player without a hit, snapping his hitting streak at 13 games. He is now hitting .469 (23-for-49) on the season.
Sunday particulars
Home runs: Howie Kendrick (2), Scott Van Slyke (1), Pederson (2)
WP - Brandon McCarthy (2-0): 6 IP, 3 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
LP - Eddie Butler (1-1): 5 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts