Offense explodes for 12 runs, Dodgers knock off Rockies

To no surprise, there was a lot of offense Thursday night at Coors Field. There were a combined 20 runs scored and 33 hits. The Dodgers were responsible for 17 of those hits, as they defeated the Rockies 12-8 in the first game of a four-game series.

For the game, the Dodgers hit a total of six home runs. Two of them came early on, as Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy went back-to-back in the second inning. Prior to the game, it was announced that Bellinger would be representing the Dodgers in the All-Star Game as a starting outfielder. It was his 27th homer, which means he needs two more before the break to set the Dodgers record for most homers before the All-Star Game.

LA wouldn’t score again until the fifth, where yet again they relied on the home run ball. For the second time, they went back-to-back. Alex Verdugo hit a two-run shot, and was then followed by a solo homer from Justin Turner, giving the Dodgers the lead.

It wasn’t until the sixth where the Dodgers scored a run that wasn’t a result from a home run. Chris Taylor doubled, and then came in to score on a Joc Pederson single. Over the last 10 games, Taylor has gone 16-for-33 with nine extra-base hits.

On the pitching side of things, it was a rough outing for Walker Buehler. Coming off the best start of his career, Buehler had one of the worst starts of his career. Pitching at Coors Field didn’t help, but he allowed the most runs (7) and hits (13) in a start for his career. After a 16-strikeout performance last week, Buehler only managed to get four punch-outs this time around.

After falling behind in the sixth, the Dodgers entered the seventh inning trailing by a run. Bellinger walked, and then shortly after came in to score on a Muncy two-run homer. For Muncy, it was his second home run of the night.

The Rockies tied the game up in the bottom half of the inning, as both teams entered the ninth in an 8-8 game. With one out, Muncy drew a four-pitch walk, and was followed by a Matt Beaty single. With two on and one out, LA’s hottest hitter stepped up to the plate. On a 1-2 pitch, Taylor collected his fourth hit of the night, a career-high, and gave the Dodgers the lead.

Two batters later, Enrique Hernandez came in to pinch-hit. On a 2-2 pitch, Hernandez drilled one 430 feet over the center field fence, giving the Dodgers the four run edge.

Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the ninth. The Rockies had something going, having runners on first and second with two outs. It didn’t matter, as Jansen was able to get the strikeout for the 27th and final out of the game, giving the Dodgers the victory.

Thursday particulars

WP: Pedro Baez (3-2) 1 IP, 0 ER

LP: Wade Davis (1-3) 1 IP, 4 ER

Home runs: Cody Bellinger (27) Max Muncy 2 (19) Alex Verdugo (8) Justin Turner (9) Enrique Hernandez (13) Ryan McMahon (7)

Box Score

Up next

The Dodgers will send Hyun-Jin Ryu to the mound tomorrow night. First pitch is at 5:40 p.m. PT.