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In a battle of bullpen implosions, the Dodgers surpassed the Rockies, but unfortunately for Los Angeles that meant a three-run ninth inning and a 7-6 Dodgers loss on Wednesday night at Coors Field.
The combination of Adam Liberatore, Yimi Garcia, J.P. Howell and Chris Hatcher combined to face six batters in the ninth inning. They recorded one out, to the final batter faced, as Nolan Arenado hit a sacrifice fly to left center field to end it.
Colorado in the ninth singled, doubled, then got three straight walks and a wild pitch to tie the game before Areando's game-winning fly ball.
Those four were used because closer Kenley Jansen was unavailable, despite only throwing 16 pitches on Tuesday, his only outing in the previous seven days.
Manager Don Mattingly said after the game that Jansen was unavailable, and when asked something happened before or during the game to change Jansen's status, Mattingly said, "More during the game," as seen on SportsNet LA, but wouldn't elaborate.
Mattingly would only say Kenley Jansen "was unavailable tonight". This came up "during the game". Jansen's clothes in locker. #Dodgers
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 4, 2015
PR staffer met with Kenley Jansen, then announced that Jansen is not talking
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) June 4, 2015
Finally, the Dodgers did at least offer some sort of explanation for Jansen's absence.
#Dodgers official statement: "Kenley wasn't feeling well and was unavailable." No more
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 4, 2015
Rick Sutcliffe, who was part of the ESPN2 broadcast crew on Wednesday, tweeted this well after the game.
Sending my prayers to #Dodgers and closer @kenleyjansen74
— Rick Sutcliffe (@Sut_ESPN) June 4, 2015
The ninth inning spoiled another comeback by the Dodgers, who rallied for three runs of their own in the seventh inning, capped by a two-run single by Andre Ethier. a It was rally that included four singles and two walks. Not bad for a team reliant on the home run.
But the Dodgers got a home run too. From who else?
Joc Pederson took Scott Oberg deep in the eighth inning, the fifth home run the Dodgers have hit against Oberg this season. It was also the fifth straight game for Pederson with a home run, tying a franchise record.
Not just a rookie record, but a Dodgers all-time 132-years-of-history record. Pederson joins Adrian Gonzalez (2014-2015), Matt Kemp (2010), Shawn Green (2001) and Roy Campanella (1950) in the five-timers club.
Pederson at 17 home runs is one off the major league lead, shared by Bryce Harper and Nelson Cruz.
The ninth also spoiled excellent relief work out of Josh Ravin, who pitched two scoreless innings in his second appearance in two days in the majors.
Troy Tulowizki homered for a second straight night, a three-run shot off starter Mike Bolsinger in the fifth inning.
The Dodgers dropped to 9-4 against the Rockies, and 4-2 this season at Coors Field.
Up next
The Dodgers return to Los Angeles for a seven-game homestand beginning on Thursday night against the Cardinals. Carlos Frias starts the opener to the four-game weekend series, looking for his second win over the Cardinals in six days. Michael Wacha starts for St. Louis.
Wednesday particulars
Home runs: Joc Pederson (17); Troy Tulowitzki (6)
WP - John Axford (1-0): 1 IP, 1 hit
LP - Yimi Garcia (2-2): 2 batters faced, 2 walks, 1 run