While the Los Angeles Dodgers were heralded for trading for Manny Machado during the All-Star break, the reality was a tough road lied ahead. Their second-half schedule began seven consecutive series against teams in postseason contention.
That stretch culminated Sunday with the Dodgers suffering a second consecutive walk-off loss to the Colorado Rockies. Overall, it was a third straight defeat at Coors Field that left them with a 2-4 record on the road trip.
Moreover, the Dodgers now enter Monday one full game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a half-game ahead of the Rockies in the National League West standings.
Rich Hill did not sugarcoat any disappointment that came with losing three of four in the key NL West series, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“We’re not going to lie – it is a big blow,” Sunday’s starter Rich Hill said of the series. “It’s something where you just have to regroup. Obviously, this is going to be a tough race all the way down to the finish.”
Hill allowed three runs (two earned) and struck out four over six innings but didn’t factor into the decision. Chris Taylor’s error on a routine pop-up and a passed ball allowed the Rockies to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Hill later surrendered a double and single in the fourth inning, and a home run to Charlie Blackmon in the sixth that put the Dodgers in a 3-0 hole. They managed to erase that deficit but were done in by Dylan Floro issuing a walk with the bases loaded in the ninth inning.
While the bullpen’s struggles have stepped into the limelight since Kenley Jansen was placed on the 10-day disabled list, the Dodgers were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position in Sunday’s loss.
