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Dodgers Overcoming 5-Run Deficit In Ninth Inning Rare In Franchise History

Scott Geirman
3 Min Read
Isaiah J. Downing/USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies in a thriller on Tuesday by putting together a big rally in the ninth inning that included making MLB history.

After enduring a blow-up start from Walker Buehler and the bullpen not keeping the Rockies off the board, the Dodgers entered the ninth inning down by five runs. A handful of good at-bats, some well-placed singles, pinch-hit grand slam from Jason Heyward, and a go-ahead three-run homer by Teoscar Hernández capped off a seven-run rally.

Following a controversial no-call on a check swing, Hernández deposited the next pitch over the right field wall, giving the Dodgers an 11-9 lead. It was the first time in 66 years that the Dodgers completed a comeback of that magnitude in the ninth inning and first since 1957.

Prior to Tuesday, the most recent instance in franchise history was 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers scoring five runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game before winning in extra innings.

On Tuesday, the Dodgers’ resilient effort made for one of the best comebacks in franchise history and a staple game thus far in the regular season.

Dodgers offense in June

In their 16 games in June, the Dodgers’ offense ranks third in Major League Baseball with a combined 139 wRC+.

Their .838 on-base plus percentage slugging ranks fourth, and their .217 ISO is second behind the Baltimore Orioles. The Dodgers lead MLB in walk rate this month and have a 0.63 walk-to-strikeout ratio, well ahead of second-ranked Kansas City Royals, who sit at 0.51.

A big reason for Dodgers’ success is their team ability to work walks and punish mistake pitches, with the latter quality improving as the season goes on.

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Scott Geirman is a journalist from Simi Valley, California, currently working as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and Angels Nation. After working as the Sports Editor for the Moorpark College newspaper, he graduated from Cal State University, Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in broadcast journalism with an emphasis in political science. Scott has a passion for reading, writing, baseball, family, Mookie Betts, and being a father to his beautiful daughter. He is currently pursuing his career in the sports media industry.