Dodgers find Coors Field opener no walk in the park

The Dodgers fell behind early and were subdued rather easily on Tuesday, losing 7-3 to the Rockies in the opener of a three-game series at Coors Field.

Brandon McCarthy wears 38 for the Dodgers, and after a pair of grip-induced wild pitches just two batters into the game there was a rain delay at the ballpark that lasted 38 minutes. But even after the players returned, McCarthy’s struggles continued with 38 pitches in the first inning.

A bloop hit and another walk to load the bases, then Mark Reynolds hit a fly ball to the warning track, but it landed in the waiting glove of left fielder Howie Kendrick with no harm done.

But that didn’t end the rough night for McCarthy, who allowed a run in the third inning, then walked the first two batters he faced in the fourth inning.

That gave McCarthy five walks on the night, something he had never done in his first 162 career starts. McCarthy had just eight unintentional walks in 26⅓ innings in his first five starts this year, but the five walks ended his night on Tuesday after just nine outs.

Both walks scored in the third inning, part of a three-run frame for Colorado.

The Rockies put the game away with another three runs in the sixth inning, two of which were scored against Jesse Chavez in his Dodgers debut.

The offense was more than enough support for Jon Gray, who struck out six in five scoreless innings, just the 10th time in 24 seasons that a Rockies starter pitched a scoreless start against the Dodgers at home.

The Dodgers didn’t score until the seventh inning, when Justin Turner hit his second double of the night to plate a pair of runs.

Turner has 23 doubles on the season and 42 extra-base hits, one shy of his career high of 43 extra-base hits, set last season.

Yasmani Grandal added a solo home run in the ninth against Chris Rusin, his 16th of the season to match a career high (set in 2015), and his second hitting right-handed in 2016.

Josh Reddick was 0-for-4 in his Dodgers debut.

Up next

The Dodgers will turn to Brock Stewart on Wednesday night, another 5:40 p.m. PT start, and will need to make a corresponding move to add him to the active roster. Colorado counters with left-hander Tyler Anderson.

Tuesday particulars

Home runs: Yasmani Grandal (16)

WP - Jon Gray (8-4): 5 IP, 2 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts

LP - Brandon McCarthy (2-2): 3+ IP, 3 hits, 3 runs, 5 walks, 2 strikeouts