Dodgers exorcize a few demons to take finale with Rockies

The Dodgers were able to flip the script on a few early narratives on Sunday. They salvaged the final game of the series against the Rockies by both scoring at Coors Field and finding success against a left-handed starter, beating Colorado 10-6 in the series finale on Sunday in Denver.

Tyler Anderson had three quality starts in three tries against the Dodgers as a rookie in 2016, allowing four total runs for a 1.83 ERA. The Dodgers scored five against him on Sunday.

A two-run double in the first inning by Justin Turner gave the Dodgers a quick lead, just the second time in seven games the Dodgers scored in the first inning.

Corey Seager followed with a two-run home run to center field in the second.

Logan Forsythe entered Sunday in an 0-for-13 skid, but double ahead of Turner in the first, then walked and scored on Seager’s homer in the second. Forsythe added an RBI single to right in the fourth to widen the Dodgers advantage, and finished his day 3-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored.

The top three in the Dodgers order on Sunday — Forsythe, Seager and Turner — reached base a total of 10 times, scoring five runs and driving in five.

Kenta Maeda retired the first seven batters he faced, including four by strikeout, before running into some trouble in the third inning. A two-run home run by Charlie Blackmon got the Rockies on the board, then Colorado tacked on a few more in the fifth, but Maeda left with a one-run lead.

The Dodgers kept scoring off the Rockies bullpen, including a wild three-run seventh inning against Jordan Lyles, who needed 42 pitches to complete the frame. It was a nightmare inning for catcher Tony Wolters, who was crossed up on a pitch that nearly ended up in the Dodgers dugout, then later threw a ball that hit the runner Turner at third base, with the ensuing ricochet allowing Turner to trot home with the insurance run.

What a relief

Josh Fields, Luis Avilan, Sergio Romo and Kenley Jansen recorded the final 12 outs on Sunday, with the only run coming in the ninth inning against Jansen. It was the first run allowed by the bullpen since Tuesday, snapping a string of 16⅓ scoreless innings.

Avilan even got to bat in the seventh, his first plate appearance since 2015 and the fifth of his career. He struck out.

Up next

The Dodgers fly to Chicago tonight, and will battle the Cubs on Monday night after watching the defending World Series champs get their rings before the home opener at Wrigley Field. With a Rich Hill on the disabled list, Alex Wood gets the start on Monday for the Dodgers, facing fellow southpaw Jon Lester.

Monday night’s game, a 5 p.m. PT start, is an ESPN exclusive game. No SportsNet LA.

Sunday particulars

Home runs: Corey Seager (2); Charlie Blackmon (1)

WP - Kenta Maeda (1-1): 5 IP, 5 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

LP - Tyler Anderson (1-1): 5 IP, 5 hits, 5 runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts