clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies put Dodgers to sleep

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

The Dodgers were put to sleep by Jorge De La Rosa, and the Rockies offense put the game away late against the bullpen, giving Colorado a 7-1 drubbing at Dodger Stadium.

De La Rosa retired 18 straight batters after Enrique Hernandez led off the game with a double, a streak snapped by a Howie Kendrick single in the seventh inning. But Kendrick was erased on a double play, one of a whopping 14 ground ball outs induced by De La Rosa on the night.

The lefty pitched into the eighth inning and didn't allow a thing, striking out three for his first win of the season.

The Dodgers got a pity run against punching bag Scott Oberg in the ninth, but left the bases loaded in a game that was put away far before that.

Carlos Gonzalez hit his second two-out, game-winning home run in three nights at Dodger Stadium, though Saturday night's blast was a solo shot in the first inning against Zack Greinke.

That was the only damage done against Greinke, who allowed three more singles and hit a batter while striking out five. But he was pulled after six innings and 100 pitches because his spot came up to bat in the bottom of the sixth.

The start was Greinke's eighth quality start in as many outings this year, the most in the majors. But he also suffered his first loss of the season. The final score definitely doesn't show it, but this game was a pitchers' duel for quite some time.

Not quite the same

Sergio Santos struck out four batters in the eighth inning, just the seventh Dodgers pitcher to do so, but it didn't quite pack the same punch as Kenley Jansen doing the same the night before. That's because Daniel Descalso tagged Santos for a two-run home run in the seventh inning, widening the Colorado lead to 3-0.

Then in the eighth inning after DJ LeMahieu reached on a strikeout wild pitch, Gonzalez drove him home with a double, followed by a two-run home run by Nolan Arenado to make the game 6-0. By the time the inning ended Santos had his four-strikeout frame, giving him five on the night.

But it had roughly the same impact as giving Mrs. Lincoln a coupon for a free show on her next visit on her way out of Ford's Theater.

Dodgers relief pitchers allowed one home run in their first 92⅓ innings of the season, through Sunday. But this week, in 17⅓ innings the bullpen has allowed four home runs.

What a play

Hernandez started in center field on Saturday, his second start there this season, and made a highlight-reel play in the fourth inning. With two outs and a runner on first base, Michael McKenry smashed a line drive to the center field wall, but Hernandez ran it down and made an over-the-shoulder catch, before face planting into the wall.

Up next

The Dodgers send Mike Bolsinger to the mound on Sunday afternoon, trying for a series split. The Rockies will counter with Kyle Kendrick in the 1:10 p.m. PT start.

Saturday particulars

Home runs: Carlos Gonzalez (4), Daniel Descalso (1), Nolan Arenado (7)

WP - Jorge De La Rosa (1-2): 7⅓ IP, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts

LP - Zack Greinke (5-1): 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 5 strikeouts