The Los Angeles Dodgers went into their series against the Colorado Rockies with some momentum but consecutive losses at Coors Field with Tyler Anderson and Clayton Kershaw starting have followed their first extra-innings win of the season.
En route to taking the first two games, the Rockies handed losses to Anderson and Kershaw. According to STATS LLC, the Rockies are the first team in MLB history to tab a pitcher who was 8-0 or better with a loss, and defeat a multiple Cy Young Award winner in back-to-back games (either order).
Anderson allowed a season-high-tying 10 hits as he got through six innings. The Rockies scored one run with two outs in each of the first two innings, but Anderson then managed to keep them off the board until the sixth.
Following the loss, Anderson gave credit to the Rockies’ batters but also expressed some frustration with himself due to missing location on pitches that led to runs.
Since throwing a career-high 123 in pursuit of a no-hitter, Anderson has allowed at least three earned runs in both ensuing starts. Prior to the current stretch, Anderson allowed more than two runs once — when he was asked to eat innings and the Philadelphia Phillies scored seven runs on May 12.
Kershaw endured a similarly rough outing as he only managed to make it through four innings. He allowed at least one run in every inning pitched and nine hits were the most Kershaw has given up since 10 on Opening Day of the 2021 season, which was a start at Coors Field.
Kershaw’s four walks also were the most he’s issued since putting five on base against the San Diego Padres on Aug. 1, 2019.
Kershaw hadn’t allowed six runs in a start since the New York Mets had that many in his outing on June 19, 2017.
Kershaw not blaming Coors Field
Now in 25 career starts at Coors Field, Kershaw has a 4.81 ERA that is his highest mark at any ballpark. Although the Rockies have historically given him trouble in the hitter-friendly environment, Kershaw didn’t blame his latest struggles on pitching there.
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