The Los Angeles Dodgers put on quite the offensive display in the rubber match against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. Los Angeles jumped out to a 7-1 lead by the third inning, aided in part by a Joc Pederson solo home run.
However, the Dodgers then went quiet at the plate, and the Rockies mounted a comeback, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth and one in the sixth. Colorado still trailed, 7-5, entering the eighth, then knocked around a pair of Dodgers relievers.
Chris Hatcher began the eighth and promptly gave up a leadoff double followed by an RBI single. Hatcher was removed after issuing a walk that put two runners on with one out. Luis Avilan entered and didn’t fare any better.
He immediately allowed an RBI single to Carlos Gonzalez, during which a second run scored and Gonzalez ended up on third base due to a Yasiel Puig fielding error. Gerardo Parra’s two-run single extended the Rockies’ lead to 10-7 and knocked Avilan out of the game.
Joe Blanton threw one pitch to get a 1-6-3 inning-ending double play. Facing Rockies closer Jake McGee and suddenly trailing by three runs, the Dodgers put together a five-run inning of their own.
A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out. Trayce Thompson hit a grounder up the middle that had the makings of a double play, but Trevor Story juggled the ball and only managed to get a force out at second base, allowing one run to score.
A.J. Ellis pinch-hit for Blanton and drove in another on an RBI single. With Chase Utley at the plate, McGee began to crumble under the pressure. The southpaw threw a wild pitch that brought in the tying run.
McGee’s trouble continued as Utley and Seager both hit an RBI double to give the Dodgers a 12-10 lead before the Rockies could get out of the inning. Kenley Jansen entered in the bottom of the ninth to earn the save and get the Dodgers a series victory.
