The Colorado Rockies proved to be just what the Doc, manager Dave Roberts, ordered for his club. After the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped three consecutive series, they defeated the Rockies on Jackie Robinson Day, 6-2, to clinch a series win and set up the chance for a sweep on Wednesday.
The Dodgers started their scoring early in the game once again, but also wasted an opportunity that could have really buried the Rockies early. They loaded the bases in the second inning, but Chris Taylor grounded into a double play, making it a 1-0 game, and Andy Pages flied out.
Although the Dodgers were able to get on the board, it was a disappointing outcome after loading the bases with no outs.
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The Dodgers didn’t waste their chance in the third inning, though. Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman both walked before Will Smith slugged a three-run homer that gave L.A. a 4-0 lead.
Tommy Edman then doubled and Max Muncy walked before Taylor drove in the fifth run of the game with an RBI single.
The Dodgers added to their lead in the eighth inning with an RBI single from Freddie Freeman.
Landon Knack made the start, tossing 4.1 innings while giving up two runs on four hits with two strikeouts and two walks. He didn’t allow a run until the fourth inning when Jacob Stallings doubled in two runs to make it a 5-2 game.
Knack did receive some help from Taylor in the third inning as the center fielder made a diving catch to take away a run and hit from the Rockies. The right-hander got the next two batters to fly out to strand the leadoff double.
Knack retired the first batter of the fifth inning before he was replaced by Jack Dreyer, who walked the first batter he faced but struck out the next two. Dreyer ended up pitching a scoreless sixth inning as well, giving the club 1.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Kirby Yates ran into some trouble, but pitched out of it to toss a scoreless seventh inning. Alex Vesia had the eighth and Luis García pitched the final inning to close out the win.
Dodgers and Rockies reflected together at Jackie Robinson statue
Prior to the game, the Dodgers and Rockies met at the Jackie Robinson statue in the Center Field Plaza to reflect on Robinson’s life and legacy.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was among the speakers, while Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation chief executive officer Nichol Whiteman, Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars, and Sonya Pankey, the oldest granddaughter of Jackie, and Rachel Robinson also were on hand.
“I’d like to think it’s a continued wake-up call for everyone and to take a step back and appreciate what made our country, the people who shaped our country,” Robets said. “This country needs a wake-up call, and I kind of touched on it a little bit today. Where this is not a one-day situation. It’s Jackie Robinson’s day, breaking the color barrier, but this is an everyday mindset and appreciation. For our players, the Rockies, to show up, everyone represented, seeing those young Robinson scholars, was great.”
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