The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bats went cold at through the first two of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Entering the nightcap of a doubleheader, the Dodgers were outscored, 15-1, through the first two games.
After Los Angeles was shut out Wednesday afternoon, Chase Utley got them on the board early in the second game of the doubleheader by hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning. However, the Rockies answered back with five runs in the bottom of the first.
The majority of them came on Stephen Cardullo’s grand slam. Cardullo collected his first hit in the Majors on Monday night, then added to his highlight reel against the Dodgers with a solo home run in the first game of the doubleheader.
Cardullo celebrated his 29th birthday on Wednesday. Colorado appeared well on their way to a three-game series sweep.
However, Los Angeles chipped away at their deficit by pushing across three runs in the eighth inning. They exploded for five in the ninth to complete an improbable comeback, with all the runs coming with two outs.
After Yasmani Grandal’s base hit put runners on the corners, Josh Reddick knocked a base hit into center field, beating the shift to collect his first RBI with the Dodgers. Joc Pederson put together a strong plate appearance and drew a walk to load the bases.
Andrew Toles, who already had an RBI double on the night, went opposite field on an 0-1 pitch for his first career grand slam:
MAGIC.
IN.
THE.
NINTH. pic.twitter.com/ASkL5IsSs6— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 1, 2016
The Dodgers’ bench exploded once Toles’ home run cleared the left-field fence:
Let's go home! ? pic.twitter.com/zU7Sqi9kIv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 1, 2016
In 25 games with the Dodgers this season, Toles is hitting a blistering .397/.463/.690 with six doubles, one triples, three home runs and 13 RBI.