Dodgers’ extra effort backs Clayton Kershaw to beat Rockies

Clayton Kershaw pitched seven strong innings, and the Dodgers hitters were extra-base happy in beating the Rockies 6-2 on Friday night at Coors Field in Denver.

Kershaw’s curveball was a work in progress most of the night, but he was able to settle down and find it late. After allowing a pair of runs in the middle innings, Kershaw retired his final seven batters faced to close out his night.

He allowed two runs in seven innings, the sixth time in 19 career starts at Coors Field Kershaw has lasted seven innings or longer. Friday marked his 20th career win against the Rockies, surpassing Hall of Famer Randy Johnson for the most ever against Colorado.

After scoring the final seven runs in a 10-7 loss on Thursday, it was the Dodgers who got to work early on Friday, with a five-run second.

Tyler Chatwood walked three in the inning, and when wasn’t wild, the Dodgers were hitting his strikes, some for extra bases. The suddenly hot Chase Utley hit a two-run triple, then Joc Pederson and Corey Seager followed with back-to-back doubles later in the inning for three more runs.

Cody Bellinger greeted Jake McGee rudely in the seventh inning, hitting a ball over the fence for yet another home run, widening the Dodgers’ lead to 6-2.

Bellinger has played 16 games, and leads the Dodgers with seven home runs.

He isn’t the fastest Dodger to seven home runs, but he was close. Matt Kemp made it to seven in 15 games back in 2006. Up next though, Bellinger has some time. The fastest Dodger to eight career home runs was Yasiel Puig, who needed 27 games in 2013.

Yasmani Grandal continued his hot hitting with a double of his own, giving him five straight games with an extra-base hit, tied for the longest streak of his career.

The Dodgers had six extra-base hits Friday, and have 13 extra-base hits in two games of this series. The only two games the Dodgers have had more than six extra-base hits in a game were opening day (four doubles, four home runs) and Thursday night.

Up next

Saturday night is a battle of southpaws, with Alex Wood taking the mound for the Dodgers in the 5:10 p.m. PT start. The Rockies counter with Tyler Anderson, someone the Dodgers have beaten twice this season.

Friday particulars

Home run: Cody Bellinger (7)

WP - Clayton Kershaw (6-2): 7 IP, 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts

LP - Tyler Chatwood (3-5): 4⅓ IP, 6 hits, 5 runs, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts