A potent Los Angeles Dodgers lineup was held in check by Chi Chi Gonzalez through six innings before getting into the Colorado Rockies bullpen for a comeback win. Cody Bellinger and Matt Beaty set the table for Russell Martin, who delivered his 60th career home run with the Dodgers.
“Regardless of what the numbers say, Russ in a big spot has that pulse where he can still stay in the strike zone and compete,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He got a cutter that backed up and really deposited it pretty well. One of the biggest hits of the year for us.
“I keep saying that, but that at-bat quality right there, I was excited for him. He’s such a good teammate. Today was a grind. It carried over from Arizona and you have a team over there that’s really fighting for their lives trying to win a baseball game, we really couldn’t get anything untracked against their starter.
“With what our bullpen did and to find a way to steal one, a lot of the credit goes to Russ for that big hit.”
Martin was followed by David Freese giving the Dodgers back-to-back home runs for a 16th time this season. Justin Turner provided insurance in the eighth inning by tying a career high with his 27th home run of the year.
For a team that’s relied on a bevy of rookies and young players, the veterans leading the rally sparked plenty of lighthearted commentary. Turner joked the trio was going to celebrate by ordering off the 55 and up menu at Denny’s.
When Martin hit a walk-off single last month, he pointed to the moment as proof the Dodgers’ veterans were capable of delivering just as much as the younger teammates. He reiterated that stance Tuesday night.
“Baseball doesn’t discriminate age. You can be a good player and be young, you can be a good player and be a little bit older,” Martin said. “This team, fortunately, has both. We have a pretty good lineup all way the down the line.
“Guys that can drive the ball out of the park, even on days when guys aren’t playing. Like Freeser on the bench or whoever it may be that day. We have tremendous depth. We never feel like we’re out of a game.”
