The Los Angeles Dodgers struggled to take advantage of early opportunities but a home run by Chris Taylor and more late-game heroics from Will Smith propelled them to a 5-2 win over the Colorado Rockies.
The Dodgers left the bases loaded in the first inning, and managed just one run in the third when Trea Turner, Max Muncy and Mookie Betts all reached with nobody out. That did tie the game, but the Rockies took another lead in the fourth inning.
L.A. pulled even again in the bottom of the fourth on Taylor’s high fly ball that appeared to be aided by the wind at Dodger Stadium as it sliced back fair and carried into the seats for a solo home run.
The game remained knotted as the Dodgers leaned on their bullpen amid the the offense stranding a runner in the fifth and sixth innings. Trea Turner reached on a two-out single in the seventh, only to then be backpicked at first base.
Daniel Bard’s continued struggles allowed the Dodgers to load the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the eighth inning.
CTied it up. pic.twitter.com/B0zkNoRdti
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 29, 2021
IRON WILL. pic.twitter.com/0bC4LkO0hv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 29, 2021
Like he’s done so often this season, Smith delivered in the high-leverage situation by pulling a two-run base hit into left field. AJ Pollock then added insurance with a pinch-hit RBI single.
“Standard Will right now,” Blake Treinen said after the win. “Will has been hot, big hits in big situations.”
Dodgers pitching
David Price was bumped to coming out of the bullpen as the Dodgers started Corey Knebel in an opener role. He retired four of five batters but faced the minimum thanks to inducing a double play in the second inning.
Price allowed two runs over 3.2 innings, then was followed by scoreless work from Phil Bickford, Justin Bruihl, Treinen and Kenley Jansen. Excluding Price, the quartet of relief pitchers combined for 3.2 perfect innings to keep buying time for the offense.
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