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The Rockies scored three runs against Clayton Kershaw in the sixth inning to give them a 5-3 win against the Dodgers.
Kershaw’s five allowed runs (four earned) are more than he’s given up all season. However, he pitched a great game — keeping the Dodgers within reach the entire time. The defense behind Kershaw didn’t do him any favors.
He allowed a go-ahead home run by Charlie Blackmon in the third. Not surprisingly, home runs off of Kershaw’s curveball are not common.
Charlie Blackmon did something very special. He took Clayton Kershaw's curveball deep for a HR. That's the first left-handed home run Kershaw has given up in the regular season in his career.
— Inside Edge (@InsideEdgeScout) June 30, 2019
Matt Adams is the only other left-handed batter to take that pitch deep.#Rockies pic.twitter.com/4sUee9iy4j
But the sixth inning was the ugliest. If you are a Dodgers fan, that is.
Max Muncy committed an error allowing Charlie Blackmon to reach base. The Rockies rallied behind this, hitting four-straight base hits to drive in three runs. As you may have guessed, Charlie Blackmon’s run doesn’t count as an earned run on Kershaw’s record. That one belongs to Muncy.
The Dodgers struggled to do damage against Rockies right-handed pitcher Jon Gray. He tossed 6 2⁄3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) to score. Clayton Kershaw even felt the need to contribute offensively, knocking in a base hit in the seventh inning. Unfortunately for him, it didn’t result in another run.
Edwin Ríos will remember Friday’s game for the rest of his life. Ríos got his first major league hit in the fourth inning — an RBI triple to tie up the game. He will get to take the ball home, even after Cody Bellinger accidentally tossed it into the crowd.
A game-tying triple for your first Major League hit? We see you, @Edwin_Rios30! pic.twitter.com/y3K1RkPGYr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 30, 2019
Speaking of Cody Bellinger, his double in the first inning drove in Alex Verdugo for his 65th RBI this season. Verdugo also continued his impressive rookie season, going 3-for-5 with an RBI.
Overall, the Dodgers were 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners stranded to pick up their second-straight loss to the Rockies.
Saturday particulars
WP: Jon Gray (9-5), 6 2⁄3 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K
LP: Clayton Kershaw (7-2), 7.0 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 HR
SV: Wade Davis (12), 1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K
Home runs: Charlie Blackmon (19)
Up next
The Dodgers try to split the series on Sunday. They will send Kenta Maeda to the mound to face Chi Chi González. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. PDT.