All-Star Game snub Will Smith had a team-high four RBI and Mookie Betts made up for skipping the event in favor of rest to help the Los Angeles Dodgers open the unofficial second half of the season with a 10-4 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Betts and the Dodgers quickly jumped on Chi Chi Gonzalez, who was pressed into starting duty because of Antonio Senzatela being among the Rockies who were placed on the COVID injured list. Rockies manager Bud Black and first base coach Ron Gideon also were unavailable due to contact tracing protocols.
Coming out of four days to rest and recover from nagging injuries, Betts opened the game with a double for one of his three hits. It marked a third consecutive multi-hit game and second in a row with three.
With one out and the bases loaded, Cody Bellinger’s two-run single provided the Dodgers with an early lead. Chris Taylor then added to it with a three-run homer.
After C.J. Cron’s grand slam in the third inning cut the Dodgers’ lead to 5-4, Smith created more separation with a two-run double in the fourth. Betts provided more insurance with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning and three batters later Smith collected his second two-run double.
Urias got two outs in the sixth inning before being removed at 89 pitches, with the only runs allowed coming on Cron’s grand slam. Phil Bickford issued a walk before ending the inning and collected a career highlight in the seventh with his first hit.
Garrett Cleavinger inherited a pair of baserunners in the seventh and induced an inning-ending double play, Jake Reed worked a clean eighth and Jimmie Sherfy recorded the final three outs of the win.
The Dodgers’ bullpen usage was somewhat monumental in that Cleavinger, Reed and Sherfy all are products of the University of Oregon.
Dodgers keep pace with Giants
Beginning Monday, the Dodgers and National League West-leading San Francisco Giants will play seven times in 11 days. San Francisco opened their second half with a win as well to remain two games ahead of the Dodgers for first place in the NL West.
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