Tony Gonsolin turned in one of his best starts of the year as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies, 4-1, to clinch the series and extend their winning streak to a season-best seven games.
Gonsolin entered the night having allowed at least four runs in seven of his last nine starts, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledging the right-hander needed to improve in order to remain in the rotation moving forward.
Gonsolin’s outing against the Rockies began on an ominous note as Ezequiel Tovar hit his first pitch for a home run. However, Gonsolin bounced back to get three quick outs and carried that momentum through six innings with just the one run allowed.
Gonsolin finished with six strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter. The Rockies managed just three hits, though some of that was due to James Outman playing an impressive center field.
Outman tracked down several fly balls in both gaps and also made a leaping catch at the wall to take an extra-base hit away from Brendan Rodgers to end the sixth inning.
Ryan Brasier, Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips each pitched one inning out of the bullpen to protect the Dodgers’ lead.
Dodgers home runs
The Dodgers’ early deficit was erased when Will Smith tied the game with his solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. Austin Barnes started at catcher but Smith was in the lineup as the designated hitter due to J.D. Martinez still being on the mend from a left groin/adductor injury.
Outman followed with a two-run homer in the second inning that gave the Dodgers their decided lead.
Amed Rosario later ambushed the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the seventh for his third home run with the Dodgers. That matched the total he had this season in 94 games with the Cleveland Guardians.
Freddie Freeman hit by pitch
Freddie Freeman went 0-for-3 and was hit by a pitch on his right knee during the seventh inning. Freeman limped as he jogged down to first base and remained in the game until being replaced at the start of the eighth.
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