The Los Angeles Dodgers were not able to carry the momentum from their sweep of the Washington Nationals back home, as they were defeated by the Colorado Rockies, 2-1, in the opener of a 10-game homestand.
The loss didn’t come without controversy, as there was an odd play in the bottom of the ninth inning that ended the game. With two outs and no one on, Matt Kemp reached on an infield single to shortstop but was quickly out to seal the Rockies’ win.
Trevor Story’s throw to first base was low and got by Ian Desmond on a short-hop. Kemp ran through the base as Rockies catcher Tony Wolters backed up the play.
The only problem was that Kemp made a very slight turn toward second base and wasn’t able to get back to first before being tagged out, so the game was ruled over.
While Kemp didn’t feel that he necessarily made a big enough turn to warrant the call, he took full responsibility for the play, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I wasn’t quite sure if I had turned to go to second base, but I was just trying to get back just to make sure. He said I went and they tagged me out. Just a mistake on my part. I take full blame for that.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Kemp both tried to argue the first-base umpire’s call, but the play was non-reviewable, so there really wasn’t anything they could do.
While it was a big play, it wasn’t the reason the Dodgers lost. They only managed three hits in the game and also weren’t very good in the field, committing three errors. Included in that was a crucial one by Chase Utley that allowed the winning run to score in the eighth inning.
The loss dropped the Dodgers to 20-27 on the season, while the Rockies propelled into first place in the National League West at 26-22.
