Starting opposite one another like they did in Game 163 last season and in the Colorado Rockies’ first visit to Dodger Stadium since that matchup, Walker Buehler and German Marquez did not disappoint in a 4-2 walk-off win for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Buehler set a career high with 16 strikeouts in what was also his first time pitching in the ninth inning and first career game. His 16 strikeouts are the most by a National League pitcher this season and he became the first Dodgers pitcher in franchise history to have that and no walks in a game.
Continuing with what’s been a dominant June, Buehler carried a perfect game into the fourth inning. He was up to six strikeouts, including five in a row, and had only thrown 38 pitches through three innings.
Buehler lost his bid for history on a Nolan Arenado two-out home run that hit off the wall in left field and carried into the pavilion, tying the game.
Buehler locked back in and retired the next six batters faced before being stung by another long ball. Charlie Blackmon’s solo home run again pulled the Rockies even with two outs in the sixth inning.
The Dodgers had some good fortune on their side in the second inning as it appeared Max Muncy would be doubled off first base on a line out to shortstop. Brendan Rodgers’ throw grazed off Muncy and resulted in a two-base error and led to a run on Chris Taylor’s sacrifice fly.
After Arenado’s home run tied the game, Cody Bellinger responded with a go-ahead solo shot in the bottom of the fourth. The home run was Bellinger’s 25th of the season, tying his total from 2018.
The two runs (one earned) were all Marquez allowed on five hits in eight innings pitched.
Buehler attempted to help his cause by sparking a rally, though he was stranded after a one-out single in the eighth inning. Batting for himself did allow Buehler to continue adding to a historic night.
After he stranded a one-out single in the ninth, Matt Beaty delivered a walk-off two-run home run. The homer was the second of his career and came hours after he was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
A subplot to the game was Justin Turner being ejected for the fifth time in his career. Turner was tossed by home-plate umpire Chad Fairchild for perceived arguing from the dugout during the fourth inning.
The ejection was Turner’s first since 2017, which also was carried out by Fairchild.
