Dodgers defeat Rockies 9-6 to move ½ game out of first

Sometimes an old-fashioned Coors Field game creeps up on you. Today, the Dodgers found themselves in one and they were able to score enough runs to beat the Rockies 9-6.

This gave them two wins in their first three games of this big road trip and puts the Dodgers a ½ game out of first.

The Dodgers once again could not put even more runs on the scoreboard as they went 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Some of those outs were due to great defensive plays by Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Gerardo Parra.

However, the one guy the Rockies could not get out was Justin Turner. Turner went 4-for-5 and his non-hit was a three-base error by Matt Holliday. Turner drilled a line drive to left field and the ball glanced off Holliday’s glove.

Three of Turner’s hits went for extra-bases, two doubles and a two-run homer. Kiké Hernández hit a solo home run and his leadoff triple in the ninth inning would end up producing an insurance run.

Rich Hill started and after giving up a leadoff home run to Blackmon, he got on a row and retired nine straight. A “sun” triple to DJ LeMahieu broke that streak and the run would score on a groundout.

Hill would retire the side in order in the fifth but after back-to-back doubles, he would leave the game. Pedro Baez gave up a two-run homer to Arenado but he was able to get out of the sixth inning with the score 8-5.

Blackmon hit his second home run of the game off Caleb Ferguson. Kenta Maeda entered the game and he exited with a two-run lead.

But with Hernández’s insurance run on the board, Scott Alexander entered the game with one on and no outs in the ninth inning. The ground ball specialist would get three straight fly outs to record his third save.

The Dodgers will now go off and while they need to focus on their games, they know the Rockies and Diamonbacks will have a four-game series at Colorado beginning on Monday.

Up Next

The Dodgers head to the Central Division this week and their first stop will be at Cincinnati. Alex Wood (8-6, 3.37 ERA) will take the mound against Cody Reed (0-2, 4.81 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. PT.

Sunday particulars

Home Runs: Charlie Blackmon 2 (26), Kiké Hernández (20), Justin Turner (13), Nolan Arenado (32)

WP: Rich Hill (8-5): 5 IP, 4 runs, 4 hits, 7 strikeouts

LP: Tyler Anderson (6-8): 2⅔ IP, 4 runs, 5 hits, 2 strikeouts, 2 walks

SV: Scott Alexander (3): 1 IP