Max Muncy’s homer in extras helps Dodgers complete comeback over Rockies

What a game. What a comeback.

Down to their final out and trailing by a run, the Dodgers had the bases empty with two outs in the ninth inning. Mookie Betts and Corey Seager delivered back-to-back singles, bringing Trea Turner to the plate. On a 2-1 pitch, Turner singled to left field, scoring Betts to tie the game at five.

After a scoreless inning from Kenley Jansen, the game went into the extras. Max Muncy wasted no time, as he crushed the first pitch he saw over the center field fence for the go-ahead two-run home run.

“He needed it a lot,” Dave Roberts said following the game. “He’s grinding like everyone in September is. It was good. I tip my cap to him for continuing to work. For it to prove beneficial today with that homer today was big for his confidence.”

For Muncy, it was his 35th homer of the season, tying a career-high. It’s his third season with LA in which he’s hit 35 home runs. He joins Duke Snider and Mike Piazza as the only players in franchise history with at least three seasons of 35+ homers.

With a two-run lead in the 10th, Blake Treinen was called to shut things down. After a one-out walk, the Rockies had runners on first and third with one out. CJ Cron stepped up to the plate, with every Dodgers fan holding their breath. On the season, Cron is hitting .829 against LA. No, it’s not that high, but it sure feels like it, doesn’t it?

On a 2-0 pitch, Treinen got Cron to ground into the game-ending double play, giving the Dodgers the 7-5 victory and the series win.

With the Giants’ loss to the Padres, the Dodgers now trail San Francisco by one game in the division with nine games left.

Max Scherzer vs. Coors Field

Just like with most pitchers in baseball, Max Scherzer had struggled at Coors Field throughout his big-league career. Entering today, he had made five starts in Denver, posting an ERA of 5.88 with a WHIP of 1.65. Unfortunately, his struggles continued.

He lasted only five innings, his shortest outing since August 21. The five earned runs he allowed were his most as a Dodger and his most in a game since July 8. Entering today, Scherzer had allowed only five runs in his 58 innings with LA. He matched that in only five innings. His six hits allowed were also tied for the most he’s allowed since coming to LA.

“I thought he had a great game plan,” Roberts said. “The curveball just couldn’t finish. It would have been a lot more efficient if he could land it.”

Honestly, the biggest X-Factor for the Rockies’ offense was starting pitcher, Kyle Freeland. He stepped up to the plate with two runners on and two outs in the second inning and singled in two runs to tie the game. Later in the game, Freeland walked and came in to score off a home run from Raimel Tapia. When the opposing pitcher is responsible for three of your five runs.... well, yeah that’s not good.

“I haven’t pitched here in a while,” Scherzer said. “I wasn’t able to get a good grip of the ball. I felt like I was making adjustments. I didn’t have a good feel for the baseball today. It just kind of got sideways from me. This is the toughest place to pitch and you learn from it.”

For those interested, Scherzer’s ERA of 2.28 is still the best in the majors.

Thursday particulars

WP: Kenley Jansen (4-4) 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 SO

LP: Lucas Gilbreath (2-2) 1 IP, 1 ER (2 R)

SV: Blake Treinen (6) 1 IP, 0 ER

HR: Raimel Tapia (6) Max Muncy (35)

Box score

Up next

The Dodgers will travel to Arizona for their final series against the DBacks in 2021. Tony Gonsolin will start for LA on Friday.