Dodgers offense, Rockies home runs sink LA below .500

Dueling narratives conspired to take down the Dodgers on Tuesday night, in a 4-3 loss to the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. A struggling offense — and one facing another left-hander — combined with Hyun-jin Ryu allowing three home runs to send the Dodgers to a third straight loss for the first time in 2017.

The Dodgers came close, rallying from three runs down in the ninth inning to score against closer Greg Holland. Then, Yasiel Puig hit a towering drive to left field that fans at Dodger Stadium saw more with their hearts than their eyes as it landed harmlessly into the glove of Gerardo Parra on the warning track.

A two-out single by Yasmani Grandal plated another run, pulling the Dodgers to within one, but Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to end the game.

One one hand, the Dodgers got exactly what they needed out of Ryu, who lasted six innings, striking out seven and walking one. After a night that saw the Dodgers essentially run out of relief options, the Dodgers had to get some length out of Ryu, who lasted just 4⅔ innings in each of his first two starts.

Ryu joins Clayton Kershaw (three times) and Brandon McCarthy (twice) as the only Dodgers starting pitchers to last six innings this season.

But in those six innings, Ryu saw three fastballs hammered well into the left field pavilion — two home runs by Nolan Arenado, and one by Trevor Story.

Ryu has allowed six home runs in his 15 innings this season, tied with Phillies pitcher Adam Morgan for the National League lead, fueling Ryu’s 5.87 ERA. In his last full season, Ryu allowed eight home runs in 152 innings over 26 starts.

At the very least, Ryu will always have this play to look back on fondly.

The Dodgers put 10 runners on base — four hits, four walks, and two hit by pitch —against Kyle Freeland, who only lasted four plus innings on Tuesday, pulled with two runners on base in the fifth. But the Dodgers were only able to plate one run against him.

They fell to 2-6 against left-handed starters, and 7-8 overall, under .500 for the first time this season.

Tuesday particulars

Home runs: Nolan Arenado 2 (6), Trevor Story (2)

WP - Scott Oberg (1-0): ⅔ IP, 1 strikeout

LP - Hyun-jin Ryu (0-3): 6 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts

Sv - Greg Holland (8): 1 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk