Dodgers struggle with runners on, still find way to win

The Dodgers struggled with runners in scoring position, but an error from Nolan Arenado would help LA escape with a 4-2 victory.

With the win, the Dodgers move to within ¹⁄₂ a game back of first place.

The Dodgers used a two-out rally to get on the board in the first inning. Manny Machado singled, and Max Muncy followed with a walk. On a 1-0 pitch, Cody Bellinger doubled to right field, giving LA an early 1-0 lead.

After serving a two-game suspension, Yasiel Puig answered with a 463-foot home run in his first at-bat back, giving the Dodgers a two-run edge in the second.

The lead was short-lived, as Colorado answered right back. Matt Holliday led off the bottom half of the inning with a homer. Ian Desmond doubled, and then came in to score on a single from former Dodger Drew Butera.

LA had numerous chances to jump ahead to an even bigger lead. Kiké Hernandez stranded two runners in the third, while Justin Turner stranded two as well in the fourth.

The Dodgers led off the fifth inning with back-to-back walks. A balk would put runners on second and third with one out.

Yet again, Kiké found himself up with two runners on base. He grounded to Trevor Story, who made an amazing play to get Machado out at home plate.

Alex Verdugo came in to pinch-hit. Verdugo would reach first on a rare error from Nolan Arenado, the safe call upheld on replay. With the error, LA took a 3-2 lead. Puig then doubled the score, singling in Hernandez to make it 4-2.

Aside from the second inning, the Rockies were unable to get anything going off of Clayton Kershaw. In six innings, Kershaw struck out seven, while allowing only two runs.

The Dodgers had an opportunity to tack on more in the seventh, having runners on the corners with one out. Austin Barnes struck out and Bellinger was thrown out attempting to steal home after a throw down to second base.

On the night, the Dodgers were 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 12 runners on base.

The Rockies loaded the bases in the seventh, and had their hottest hitter at the plate. With two outs, Dylan Floro faced off against Story. After a seven-pitch battle, Floro managed to strike out Story, escaping the jam.

Holliday led off the eighth with a double. Gerardo Parra came in to pinch-run for the 38-year-old Holliday.

After a ground out, Colorado had a runner on third with one out. Dave Roberts decided to go with ground ball specialist Scott Alexander, and it paid off. Alexander proceeded to get back-to-back grounders, leaving the inning with the two-run lead in tact.

Alexander went back out there for the ninth. He allowed a lead-off single to Chris Ianetta, but then got Charlie Blackmon to strike out looking.

Kenta Maeda then replaced Alexander. After an eight-pitch at-bat, Maeda got LeMahieu to fly out. He then faced off against Arenado, who was 2-for-21 in his career against Maeda coming into the at-bat. Maeda struck him out, giving the Dodgers the victory.

Friday particulars

Home Runs: Yasiel Puig (16), Matt Holliday (2)

WP: Clayton Kershaw (7-5) 6 IP, 7 SO, 2 ER

LP: Chris Rusin (2-3) ²⁄₃ IP, 0 ER, 2 BB

SV: Kenta Maeda (2) ²⁄₃ IP, 1 SO