Dodgers shut out Rockies for 9th straight win

Clayton Kershaw overcame a blip of trouble early to dominate the Rockies, and the Dodgers offense did their part in a 4-0 win on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.

The numbers are staggering for the Dodgers, who have now won nine straight games, and 15 of their last 16. They improved to 31-10 at home.

On the current homestand, the Dodgers are 6-0 and have outscored opponents 46-12.

The Rockies loaded the bases with one out against Kershaw in the first inning, a frame that saw him throw 33 pitches. But he got things quickly in order, striking out Ian Desmond swinging then getting Trevor Story looking to end the inning.

Those were the first two of 13 straight batters retired by Kershaw, who despite the high early pitch count cruised through six innings. Kershaw lowered his career ERA against the Rockies at home to 1.46, and nine of those 17 starts have been scoreless.

The Dodgers have won 15 of those 17 starts.

Things were the opposite for Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood, who struck out two in a scoreless first inning. Things went immediately south after that. Two walks and an RBI single by Kiké Hernandez gave the Dodgers a lead, then Chatwood completely lost in in the third.

Joc Pederson led off the third with a solo home run, his fourth homer in his last nine games. That gave the Dodgers 16 straight games with a home run, their longest streak since a 17-game stretch in 1960 that is the longest since the franchise moved to Los Angeles.

Then a walk, a single, and an error gave the Dodgers another tally. Chatwood followed by walking two more to load the bases for Kershaw, and Chatwood walked him too to force in another run for a 4-0 lead.

Dodgers pitchers lead baseball with 11 walks while batting this season.

Chatwood was amazingly allowed to remain in the game to start the fourth, though he only pitched to two more batters. He walked one of those to give him eight walks, the most by any pitcher against the Dodgers since former Rockies hurler Jason Jennings on Apr. 29, 2005.

The Dodgers reached 50 wins in 76 games, the third-fewest games since moving to Los Angeles. The 1974 team started 50-24, and in 1977 the club started 50-25. Both made the World Series.

Up next

The Dodgers go for double digits and a series sweep on Sunday, sending Brandon McCarthy to the mound in the series finale against the Rockies. Colorado switched things up for the 1:10 p.m. PT game, and will now send to the hill left-hander Tyler Anderson, who has three losses in three starts against Los Angeles in 2017.

Saturday particulars

Home run: Joc Pederson (6)

WP - Clayton Kershaw (11-2): 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts

LP - Tyler Chatwood (6-8): 3⅓ IP, 3 hits, 4 runs, 8 walks, 3 strikeouts