The Los Angeles Dodgers salvaged a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, defeating their divisional rival, 6-4, to avoid being swept at Dodger Stadium for the first time in nearly two months.
Matt Kemp led the way offensively with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate, where his clutch, tie-breaking solo shot in the eighth inning gave the Dodgers their first lead since the opening frame.
But it was Yasiel Puig that solidified the Dodgers’ victory with shrewd baserunning in the eighth inning. With Los Angeles sporting a one-run lead, Puig managed to score from second base on a Joc Pederson infield single to Rockies second baseman D.J. LeMahieu.
LeMahieu initially had trouble getting the ball out of his glove after an impressive diving stop and lobbed it to first base before realizing Puig was already in the midst of rounding third.
Puig ultimately provided the Dodgers an important insurance run, as closer Kenley Jansen went on to toss a scoreless ninth inning of work to record his 22nd save of the season.
After the game, Puig justified his aggressive baserunning after determining LeMahieu was incapable of throwing him out, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“It was a little crazy for everybody and me too, because not too many players to score from third base in that situation,” said Puig. “I made the move, he threw a slow ball and I said in my mind, ‘He’s not throwing, I’m going to go home and he’s not going to throw me out.’ And that’s the reactions coming down like that.”
Puig’s play at the plate was only made possible after he doubled against Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino in the eighth inning.
The 27-year-old has been on a roll since the start of June, as he concluded the month with a superb .303/.367/.517 slash line in 98 plate appearances.
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