Dodgers Win Fifth Consecutive Game Behind a Solid Chris Capuano Start

Dodgers 6 13 0

Rockies 1 7 1

WP- Capuano (3-6)

LP- Pomeranz (0-3)

HR- CarGo (25)

Chris Capuano stepped up and gave the Dodgers just what they needed after they had used most of their bullpen the night prior in the 14-inning win against the D-backs. Capuano, who had a couple of rough starts, has been dependable when called upon whether out of the bullpen in the beginning of the season or as part of the rotation. He even volunteered to pitch on three days of rest and made a stellar and gutsy performance for his team when they needed it. Capuano has been a team player, and he hasn’t complained about being shuffled around this season. Cappy picked up his third win after pitching 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball.

Chris Capuano picked up the win after pitching 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Ellis had three hits and four RBIs, and Jerry Hairston Jr. also had two hits and drove in a run. The Dodgers bullpen once again pitched very well, and Ronald Belisario impressed over 1 2/3 innings. Brandon League pitched the ninth and served up a monster homerun to CarGo, but the damage was contained to just one run as the Dodgers put a BLUE bow on their fifth consecutive win.

Dexter Fowler, who was just activated from Colorado’s disabled list, flies out to Scott Van Slyke in right field to open up the top of the first. Chris Capuano strikes out Josh Rutledge, and CarGo lines out to right to end the 1-2-3 inning.

Mark Ellis leads off the home half of the first with a long single down the first base line against Drew Pomeranz. Yasiel Puig grounds into a double play. It’s Adrian Gonzalez bobblehead night at Dodger stadium, and Gonzo proceeds to flare a single to left center field. Hanley Ramirez lines a hard hit ball to left field, but Carlos Gonzalez reaches up and snags it while slamming into the bullpen gate for a great catch to rob Hanley of an extra base hit. He’s so annoyingly good.

Troy Tulowitzki, also fresh off the D.L., strikes out to start the second inning. Michael Cuddyer grounds out to short, and Wilin Rosario strikes out swinging. Cappy has retired six in a row with three strikeouts.

Drew Pomeranz strikes out Scott Van Slyke in the bottom of the second. Juan Uribe grounds a single up the middle. Jerry Hairston Jr. doubles down the third base line, and Uribe motors home dislodging the ball from Rosario’s glove as he slides in! 1-0 Dodgers. Tim Federowicz and Capuano both strike out, but the Dodgers strike first.

Todd Helton continues to hammer the Dodgers, and the veteran singles to left field to lead-off the third. Nolan Arenado flies

Drew Pomeranz only made it through 4 innings and suffered the loss. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

out to Puig who is starting in center field for the first time in his career tonight. Pomeranz strikes out, and Fowler lines out to end the frame.

The Dodgers flounder another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third. Mark Ellis draws a lead-off walk, and Puig singles. Gonzo grounds into the second Dodgers double play of the game. Pomeranz intentionally walks Hanley, and Van Slyke grounds into a force out to end the inning.

CarGo singles in the top of the fourth, but a sharp Capuano strikes out both Tulo and Cuddyer to kick the Rox to the curb!

Juan Uribe draws a lead-off walk in the home half of the fourth, and with JHair at the plate Uribe takes second base for his second stolen base of the season! Uribe should be starting every game now. Pomeranz is struggling, and he walks Hairston which prompts a coaching visit to the mound. FedEx draws the third consecutive walk of the inning to load the bases up with nobody out. Capuano goes down on strikes. Mark Ellis comes up clutch as he singles in two runs. The throw is cut off, and FedEx is caught between second and third for the second out. Puig singles on a roller to third which is misplayed by Arenado. That’s Puig’s second hit of the night, and he is now back up to a .400 batting average. CarGo makes another fine catch on a line drive by Gonzo to end the inning, but the Dodgers add two on the single by MEllis and lead 3-0.

Hanley Ramirez makes a nice play at short to retire Rosario in the top of the fifth. Capuano whiffs Helton, and that’s his seventh strikeout thus far. Arenado singles up the middle for only the second hit of the night for the Rockies. Jordan Pacheco grounds out to end the scoreless inning.

Yasiel Puig left the game after aggravating his left hip. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Manny Corpas will come in to relieve Pomeranz in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hanley and SVS both ground out. Uribe reaches on a fielding error by Corpas. Uribe has yet to be retired tonight. Helton snares a would be extra base hit by JHair with one hand to end the inning. The old man still has some skills.

Drew Pomeranz only made it through 4 innings while allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with 4 strikeouts and 5 walks on 91 pitches.

Capuano pitches another scoreless inning in the top of the sixth. He only allows another CarGo single.

In the bottom of the sixth, Capuano hits a ball about ten feet from being a homerun. He ends up grounding out instead. The Dodgers go down in order.

The Rockies pose their first serious threat of the game in the top of the seventh. Cuddyer grounds out, but Rosario and Helton hit back-to-back singles. That’s going to be all for Cappy, and he is applauded by the crowd for his solid outing as he heads to the dugout. Way to go Cap! Ronald Belisario will come out of the Dodgers bullpen. Beli comes in and induces an inning ending double play from Arenado on one pitch! Well, that was a great way to be economical Ronald.

Chris Capuano pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed no runs on 6 hits with 8 strikeouts and no walks on 90 pitches.

Corpas strikes out Puig to begin the bottom of the seventh. Mr. Bobblehead doubles over the head of Dexter Fowler in center field for a double. That’s Gonzo’s 20th double of the season. Hanley draws a walk, and Walt Weiss will make a double switch here. Wilton Lopez comes in to pitch, and LeMahieu comes in to play third. Van Slyke bounces a single into left field to load the bases up with one out for Uribe. Uribe unfortunately grounds into an inning ending double play, and the Dodgers waste another opportunity to add to their lead.

Ronald Belisario has begun to turn around his season. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

In the eighth, Puig comes out of the game due to an aggravated left hip, and Andre Ethier will come into play center field. We will keep you updated on Puig’s condition. Belisario looks like the Belisario of old as he sends down the Rockies in order. He strikes out Rutledge for good measure.

Hairston manages an infield single after the ball pops out of Tulo’s glove to start off the bottom of the eighth. On the very next play FedEx reaches safely on a throwing error by Tulowitzki who is really rusty after just returning from the D.L. Colorado will make another pitching change, and Josh Outman will come in to face pinch-hitter Carl Crawford with two men on and nobody out. Crawford is bunting, because Donnie loves bunting. The throw to first by Outman is too late, and everyone is safe! The Rockies fail to retire MEllis on a foul ball on the first base side, and MEllis takes advantage of the extra chance as he singles in another two runs with a base hit to left field! Dodgers lead 5-0. The runners tag up on a sacrifice fly by Ethier, and the Dodgers tack on another run, 6-0. Gonzo strikes out. Outman intentionally walks Hanley as the crowd boos. Van Slyke strikes out, but the Dodgers score three as we head to the ninth.

Brandon League will pitch the ninth, and it will be very touch and go. League is now wearing his new number 43, will it make him pitch better? No of course not. Carlos Gonzalez proceeds to crush a solo homerun which almost leaves the stadium, and the shutout is gone in a blink of an eye. Good thing Tulo is rusty, and he strikes out for the third time. Cuddyer strikes out swinging. One more out as we hold our breath. Rosario grounds out, and the Dodgers win!

The Dodgers improve to 46-45 and they remain 1 1/2 games back of the D-backs who defeated the Brewers. Tomorrow the Dodgers will send their ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound to face Juan Nicasio.

The Dodgers have a winning record! Let’s keep this BLUE streak going!