Dodgers can’t back Buehler’s outstanding effort as they fall to the Rockies

The Dodgers couldn’t take advantage of an outstanding start from rookie Walker Buehler, allowing a late run they couldn’t overcome in a 2-1 loss to the Rockies.

They also failed to gain ground in the division as the Diamondbacks lost their fifth straight. The Rockies now own a half-game lead over Arizona.

With one out in the top half of the eighth and the score tied at 1-1, Pedro Baez issued a walk to Tony Wolters. The Rockies catcher would steal second and make it to third when Yasmani Grandal threw the ball into center field.

Wolters scored two batters later when Chase Utley couldn’t make the play on a tough groundball from Carlos Gonzalez.

Buehler allowed just one run on two hits over seven innings of work, striking out six against no walks. The 23-year-old has only given up 24 hits and nine walks in 34 innings to go with 40 strikeouts in six starts.

The longest start of Buehler’s young career was almost cut short in the fifth inning when he took a line drive to the ribs at 108-mph off the bat of Trevor Story. The right-hander winced in pain on the ground for a few seconds before lobbying to stay in.

The only mistake of the night for Buehler came on a solo homer from Gerardo Parra.

The Dodgers could only muster three hits all night as German Marquez held them to one run over seven innings. The best chance to score more came in the fifth when the Dodgers had two on and one out thanks to a Story throwing error.

Marquez would strike out Buehler and get Joc Pederson to fly out to left to end the frame.

Max Muncy slugged his fifth homer of the year to give the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead. It was the fourth homer in the last 20 games (15 starts) for Muncy, who is 16-for-53 (.302) with five doubles and 11 walks to give him a .424 OBP and 1.047 OPS over that time.

The Dodgers are now 8-14 at home this season, losing the last eight of nine games at Dodger Stadium.

Monday particulars

Home runs: Max Muncy (5), Gerardo Parra (3)

WP - German Marquez (3-5): 7 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts

LP - Pedro Baez (1-3): ⅔ IP, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Sv - Wade Davis (17): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 strikeout