Dodgers 12, Rockies 10 : Chutley to the Rescue

Well in the words of Dodgers’ broadcaster Joe Davis, “that was a weird one”.

So much happened in this game, where do I even begin? Alex Wood got off to a good start and a quick first inning. In the bottom of the first inning the Dodgers scored four runs thanks to a Joc Pederson walk, Trayce Thompson double, Corey Seager walked, Yasiel Puig doubled and Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to the shortstop, but Seager scored. After half an inning the Dodgers lead the Rockies by a score of 4-0.

Wood struggled a little with his command coming into the second inning and allowed a lead off walk to Nolan Arenado. That walk would come back to bite him when Arenado eventually scored in a base hit. Score was now, Dodgers 4-1.

Top the the third inning and the Dodgers struck again! Pederson came up to the plate and hit a home run to right field. Just moments before Joe Davis and Alanna Rizzo were talking about how the coaches were playing pepper with Pederson before today’s game. A game that little leaguers play from the moment they pick up a bat in order to practice making contact and driving the ball to specific people. The same simple practice seemed to help Pederson greatly. The offense did not stop there, the Dodgers scored two more on a Seager triple and the score was now 7-1 Dodgers.

The Rockies would come up in the bottom of the fourth inning and score four runs on a few singles and doubles making the score 7-4 still in favor of the Dodgers. Wood was pulled in the sixth and Pedro Baez took over. He got himself in a jam, but only allowed one run. The Dodgers still lead, but only by two runs.

Things got crazy in the bottom of the eighth as the Rockies would go on and score five runs. They took the lead by a score of 10-7.

It all came down to the top of the ninth for the Dodgers. After leading the Rockies at one point by six runs, they were now down by three and had just three outs to come back. Gonzalez led off the inning with a single to right. Yasmani Grandal grounded into a fielders choice and Gonzalez was out at second. With one out, Howie Kendrick came to the plate and singled to right, Grandal advanced to third. Dave Roberts put in Enrique Hernandez to hit for Pederson. Hernandez walked. Then Thompson came to the plate and grounded into another fielder’s choice, but Grandal scored on it. Just two runs to tie!

A.J Ellis entered the game and ripped a single into center. Kendrick scored and Thompson advanced to third. Roberts then pulled Ellis and had Charlie Culberson run for him at first. Chase Utley put together a great at bat. He called for time at the last second and Rockies pitcher Jake McGee was not too happy about it. He ended up throwing the pitch because it was too late for him to stop his motion. However, by calling time, Utley completely messed up McGee’s timing. The next pitch that McGee threw was a wild one and Thompson easily scored from third. Dodgers were now down by just one run and had one out.

To back to back doubles by Utley and Seager would score three more runs and allow the Dodgers to take the lead by a score of 12-10. In the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers handed the ball to Kenley Jansen and he again was the Jansen we all know and love. He shut them out and the Dodgers got the series win. Jansen is now 9-9 in saves this season.

Dodgers made a few defensive boo-boo’s today though. Thompson misplayed a ball in left field. He over ran the ball and then had to turn around and play it on a hop, but it should have been a fairly easy out. The bullpen again was shaky. They were the one’s that gave up the lead and Baez had the bases loaded, but was lucky to get out of it all.

I could not write a recap on this game without highlighting two great catches made by Puig and Thompson that saved the bacon in two different innings. Puig ran into the wall at full speed and landed on the warning track with the ball still in his glove. It was a beautiful catch.

Today’s victory wrapped up a six game road trip for the team and they are now heading back to Chavez Ravine to face the Miami Marlins tomorrow at 7:10 PM.

Dodger fans everywhere wanted the win today. It was a stressful and weird game to say the least, but the boys in blue will all have a happy flight home. Gonzalez’s video in the clubhouse post game says it all. Let’s do it all over again tomorrow boys!