Uribe’s Clutch RBI Single Breaks 2-2 Tie, Greinke Earns Eleventh Win

The Dodgers are back in first place, and it feels so right. And for once nobody got hurt. The boys in blue defeated the Rockies by a score of 3-2 in the first game of a four game set at Coors Field. It was a tough game but the Dodgers pulled it out in the late innings thanks to a clutch RBI single from Juan Uribe in the top of the ninth that broke a 2-2 tie. The lovable third baseman had three hits on the night to lead the Dodger attack. There was no drama tonight, just some good clutch Baseball.

Dodgers 3 6 1

Rockies  2 9 0

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Before the game the Dodgers recalled infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena and optioned Carlos Triunfel. That terrible game Triunfel had on Sunday must have sealed his fate. But tonight saw the return of Hanley Ramirez to the lineup. Hanley was cleared to play before the game after testing his sore shoulder and calf. He went 0 for 2 with two walks.ErisbelArruebarrena was used late in the game as a defensive replacement.

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

This was a low scoring game for Coors Field. Maybe the humidor balls were being used. But it was probably because of great pitching from Zack Greinke and his opponent Franklin Morales. Greinke allowed just two runs on nine hits, one was earned through eight frames, but he allowed the tying run to score in the bottom of the eighth. Greinke whiffed eight walked two and earned his eleventh win of the season.

Morales pitched well too. The Dodgers were only able to muster two runs on four hits against the right hander. Morales only lasted five frames though, and was not involved in the decision. Although I’m surprised all the Dodgers could get off of Franklin Morales at Coors Field was four hits. Well, they won anyways. We’ll take it.

The Dodgers scored one run in the third and one in the fourth to take a 2-0 lead early. In the third, Dee Gordon reached on a bunt single, advanced to second on a Yasiel Puig grounder. After a walk to Hanley, Adrian Gonzalez’s line drive single to left scored Gordon to put the Dodgers up 1-0.

Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe (5) hits a go ahead RBI single during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Dodgers won 3-2.-Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Then in the fourth, Juan Uribe’s one-out pop fly double just inside the left field foul line put him into scoring position. There was a Wilin Rosario passed ball that moved him to third, and then A.J. Ellis’s sacrifice fly plated him for the Dodger’s second run of the game.

Colorado would rally back in the fifth. Defense was the Dodger’s undoing in this frame. DJ LeMahieu singled to right, and went to second when Puig overran the ball for an error. LeMahieu would score when pinch-hitter Josh Rutledge would double him in. That made the score 2-1 Dodgers.

Colorado tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. Greinke gave up a single to Charlie Blackmon. After a bunt pop out from Drew Stubbs, Justin Morneau’s run scoring triple brought Blackmon home and the game was tied at 2-2.

But the Dodgers would get that run back. In the top of the ninth, Matt Kemp would draw a lead-off walk against reliever Latroy Hawkins. After Scott Van Slyke’s grounder moved him to second, Mr. Clutch Juan Uribe’s single up the middle goes underneath LeMahieu’s glove, to score Kemp. Dodgers retake the lead 3-2.

In came Kenley Jansen in the bottom of the ninth to secure his 26 save of the season. Rosario grounds out to short. LeMahieu whiffs, and Ryan Wheeler’s deep fly to center was the final out. The Dodgers win 3-2! The Dodgers improve to 49-39 and now have a half game lead over the Giants, who lost again to the Cardinals.

The four game series continues Friday evening at 5:10 PM. The Dodgers will try to extend their Nl West lead as Clayton Kershaw battles Jair Jurrjens in game two.