The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on Kyle Freeland early and went on for a comfortable win over the Colorado Rockies that wasn’t as close as the final score suggests. It clinched a series victory and has the Dodgers in position to complete a sweep on Wednesday.
Their win on Tuesday night included a new-look lineup with Andy Pages batting second and Mookie Betts moved down to the cleanup spot amid his ongoing slump this season. The end result was contributions from every starter in a blowout win that matched their season high in runs scored.
Miguel Rojas pitched for the second time this season and gave up two home runs — one of which was to Kyle Karros — before completing the ninth inning. All three home runs Karros has hit in his career have come against his father’s team.
Dodgers 15, Rockies 6: key takeaways
Eric Lauer’s debut
Making his Dodgers debut, Eric Lauer held the Rockies to just one run over six innings. The only run Lauer allowed came on Hunter Goodman’s leadoff homer in the second inning.
Lauer relied on the curveball more than in previous starts, which presumably was among the adjustments Dodgers pitching coaches had in mind.
Mookie Betts excels as cleanup hitter
Batting fourth in the lineup for the first time since the 2017 season with the Boston Red Sox, Betts went xx-for-xx. He appeared plenty comfortable in the cleanup spot as he hit a two-run homer in the first inning. Betts singled in the third inning and added a three-run homer in the sixth.
“It’s just to kind of give him a different look,” manager Dave Roberts explained of dropping Betts in the lineup. “When you’re hitting at the top of the order and you’re taking on five at-bats in a night and you’re not swinging well, it can be a lot to take on.
“So I feel that moving him down a couple slots just gives him a different look. Look forward to taking four at-bats and make the most of it.”
Andy Pages capitalizes on opportunity
Moved up to batting second, Andy Pages produced his first four-hit game of the season. Included in that was a home run and two-run double.
Shohei Ohtani hit by pitch
Having already escaped a disaster with Max Muncy, the Dodgers briefly had more reason to worry when Shohei Ohtani was hit by a pitch in his right wrist/hand area during the fourth inning.
Ohtani does wear an oversized protective padding on his pitching hand, and didn’t appear too affected by getting hit. He initially remained in the game after briefly getting checked on by head athletic trainer Thomas Albert, but Dalton Rushing pinch-hit for Ohtani in the bottom of the fifth inning.
That was notable given the Dodgers’ plan to have Ohtani pitch and be in the lineup for the series finale.
“Unless something changes tonight,” Roberts said before the game.
Kiké Hernández injury
Also on the injury front for the Dodgers, Kiké Hernández was removed from the game because of a left oblique strain. Hernández was 2-for-2 with a double and home run before suffering his injury.
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