Dodgers Win Rain Shortened Game at Coors Field

Despite having their “B-team” on the field, the Dodgers were able to plate six runs in six frames and won the third game against Colorado after the series finale was shortened due to rain. After the game was halted in the middle of the sixth, the lengthy rain delay eventually turned into an official game and an official win for the Dodgers. With injuries mounting, the Dodgers were probably better off playing a shortened game then risk more innings and more injuries.

Yasiel Puig and Dee Gordon sat out with various hip injuries, but the Dodgers maintain that their injuries are minor and won’t keep either man

out of the lineup a long time. The Dodgers were still able to score at Coors even with rookies Jamie Romak and Miguel Rojas in the lineup making their first MLB starts. Each man also collected their first MLB base hit during the Dodgers win.

Clayton Kershaw struck out 9 while walking none over 5 innings of work. The southpaw only allowed 3 hits and his only mistake was a solo homerun to Troy Tulowitzki in the fourth.

Kershaw picked up his fifth victory, while Jorge De La Rosa pitched an up-and-down game allowing 5 runs to the Dodgers. A shaky first inning plated two runs for the Dodgers on a two-run triple from Kemp. The Dodgers scored four more runs in the top of the sixth chasing De La Rosa from the game. The highlight of the game came in the sixth when Hanley Ramirez smoked a huge 461-foot homerun over the seats in left field almost eclipsing the stadium.

The Dodgers didn’t even have to use any of their bullpen arms, and now they can escape the Curse of Coors Field and move on to Cincy.

Dodgers 6 6 0

Rockies 1 3 0

F/6

WP- Kershaw (5-2)

LP- De La Rosa (6-5)

HR- Tulowitzki (17), Ramirez (10)

Here’s how the 5 1/2 innings played out…

Chone Figgins draws his signature walk to lead-off the first for the Dodgers. Jorge De La Rosa seems to be struggling a bit at the start of the game, and he also walks Hanley Ramirez. Adrian Gonzalez, who is suffering through a really rough slump, goes 3-2 against De La Rosa but ends up striking out on a foul tip. Gonzo is now hitting .248. Figgins steals second with Matt Kemp at the plate and one out. Walt Weiss challenges the safe call at third. After the official review, the umpires uphold the call. Matt Kemp triples to the gap in left field, his second triple in as many games, and both runners score. The ball rolls all the way to the wall, and Kemp is able to make his way all the way to third even though he tripped a little rounding first base. Dodgers up 2-0, and there is still only one out. Scott Van Slyke strikes out for the second out. Jamie Romak still hasn’t been able to connect for his first Major League hit yet as he is called out on strikes to end the inning. De La Rosa made 35 pitches as the Dodgers strike first.

Clayton Kershaw had to wait awhile to take his turn on the mound while De La Rosa pitched a 25-minute inning. That doesn’t seem to be a problem

Jun 8, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (29) reacts after being pulled in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

for Kersh who strikes out Charlie Blackmon to begin the bottom of the first. Kersh also whiffs Brandon Barnes and Troy Tulowitzki to strike out the side! He only needed 13 pitches to put away the Rockies 1-2-3.

In the second, De La Rosa is able to retire the bottom of the Dodgers’ lineup as Miguel Rojas flies out, Drew Butera strikes out, and Kersh strikes out.

Wilin Rosario gets the first base hit for the Rockies with a single to lead-off the bottom of the second. Drew Stubbs strikes out. Josh Rutledge singles, and Rosario takes third with one out. Kershaw strikes out Ryan Wheeler and DJ LeMahieu to end the inning. Kershaw has now struck out the side in both of the first two innings.

Chone Figgins gets on base again with a single to lead-off the third, but he is thrown out trying to steal second with Hanley at the plate. Hanley ends up striking out. Gonzo also strikes out for the second time of the day.

Kershaw sends the Rox down in order in the bottom of the third.

Matt Kemp leads off the top of the fourth with a single to left. Scott Van Slyke, who made a great running catch in center field the inning before, grounds into the double play. Romak grounds out to end the inning, and Jorge De La Rosa is more calm and effective now.

Tulo strikes in the bottom of the fourth. It was bound to happen at some point in the series. The best hitter in baseball, Troy Tulowitzki takes the best pitcher in baseball, Kershaw, deep to left field. The solo shot is Tulo’s 17th homerun of the season, and the Dodger lead is cut in half, 2-1.

The rain is coming down hard now, but De La Rosa retires the bottom of the Dodger lineup 1-2-3. Rojas nor Romak have yet to capture their first MLB hit yet. For some reason I am nervous watching Kershaw play in these Colorado conditions. He ends the inning with a strikeout.

Kershaw thinks the rain is no problem. He retires the side in order in the bottom of the fifth including picking up his 9th strikeout with De La Rosa’s

Jun 8, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) prepares to deliver a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

swing and miss.

DJ LeMahieu makes a fast acting swipe on a sharp liner to rob Chone Figgins of an extra base hit down the left field line. Then Hanley Ramirez proceeds to absolutely crush a solo homerun to deep, deep left field over the seats! It was humongous! It was estimated at 461 feet! That was Hanley’s 10th homerun of the season, and the Dodgers take a 3-1 lead. De La Rosa is flustered again now. Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp draw back-to-back walks. Walt Weiss will take De La Rosa out now. Matt Belisle will take over with two Dodgers on and one out. SVS strikes out for the second time. Jamie Romak collects his first MLB base hit, a booming double to the center field gap, and two runs come in to score! Miguel Rojas says “don’t forget about me“, and he also picks up his first Major League hit with a RBI single. Romak comes in for his first run. The Dodgers lead 6-1.

Jorge De La Rosa pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed 5 runs on 4 hits with 8 strikeouts and 4 walks on 109 pitches.

The game then is stopped due to the rain in the middle of the sixth inning.  After one hour and 35 minutes in rain delay, the game is officially called and Dodgers win.

The Dodgers improve to 33-31 on the season, but the Dodgers still remain 9 1/2 games behind the Giants in the standings.

Tomorrow afternoon Dan Haren will take the mound in Game 1 at the Great American Ball Park to open a four-game series with the Reds.