The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped their three-game losing streak in improbable fashion considering how the week played out, hanging on for a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Tony Gonsolin added to the string of strong starting pitching performances by tying a season high with 5.1 innings. He stranded Charlie Blackmon’s two-out double in the first inning and worked around a walk in the second before retiring the side in order in the third.
Ryan McMahon singled with two outs in the fourth inning, which was followed by Gonsolin striking out five of the next six batters faced. Gonsolin was removed at 81 pitches after walking Raimel Tapia in the sixth inning.
Gonsolin’s command and velocity were both much improved and may have been related to changing back to pitching out of the windup. Gonsolin’s fastball velocity averaged close to 95 mph — the same mark as last year and up from this season’s 93.2 mph.
His effort helped the Dodgers uphold an Austin Barnes solo home run. Barnes later added a single and finished the night with two of the team’s five hits.
Barnesy strikes first! pic.twitter.com/PdZBxlSoyu
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 25, 2021
Alex Vesia, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen combined to hold the Rockies to just two baserunners — both via walk — over the final 3.2 innings of the game. For Jansen it was a bit of redemption as he snapped a string of three consecutive blown saves.
“We need Kenley,” Barnes said after the 1-0 win. “He’s been good for us. There’s bumps in the road sometimes, but he responds. He threw the ball really well tonight.”
While the Dodgers are still below .500 in such situations, they improved to 12-17 in one-run games.
Dodgers gain on Giants
Saturday’s win was not only key for the Dodgers in halting a losing streak, but they picked up a full game on the San Francisco Giants thanks to the Pittsburgh Pirates winning their second in a row at Oracle Park.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
