The Los Angeles Dodgers appeared primed to cruise toward a series sweep of the Colorado Rockies, but Bobby Miller ran into a world of trouble in his spot start and it ultimately required them to hang on for an 8-7 win.
After the Rockies had taken a 1-0 lead, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman jumpstarted a seven-run first inning with respective solo homers off Germán Márquez. Ohtani’s sixth home run of the season tied him with Tommy Edman for most on the Dodgers.
Michael Conforto’s two-out single led to a rally as a hit by pitch and walk loaded the bases for Andy Pages, who drove two runs in. Austin Barnes followed with a two-run double and Ohtani hit an RBI single in his second at-bat of the inning.
That also chased Márquez from the game, as he retired just two of 10 batters faced. Márquez entered 3-3 with a 2.89 ERA in nine career starts at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers’ commanding 7-1 lead remained intact until Miller allowed the Rockies to put a big third inning together. Two singles and walk loaded the bases with one out.
Michael Toglia began the Rockies’ comeback effort with a grand slam and Mickey Moniak made it back-to-back homers that cut the Dodgers’ lead to 7-6 in the blink of an eye. Miller did finish with seven strikeouts in three innings, for just about the only positive from his start.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was non-committal prior to the game when asked if Miller would remain with the team for another turn in the rotation beyond Wednesday.
Anthony Banda was first out of the Dodgers’ bullpen and Ben Casparius filled a bulk role as he allowed just one run over three scoreless innings. Alex Vesia retired the side in order in the eighth and Tanner Scott converted his sixth save of the season.
Pages’ RBI single in the fifth inning proved to be the difference for the Dodgers in their win.
NL West standings update: Dodgers chasing
With their win, the Dodgers kept pace with both the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. At 15-4, the Padres remain 1.5 games ahead of the Dodgers and Giants.
The Dodgers have one more win than the Giants with a 14-6 record, though San Francisco has one fewer loss.
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