LA has blown three straight games and dropped five of six
I really don’t even have any words to describe this one. For the third straight night, the Dodgers lose in heartbreaking fashion as they fall to the Rockies in extras, 9-6.
The Dodgers had a golden opportunity to win this game, just like they’ve had in each of the previous three games. After the bullpen blew yet another lead, the Dodgers entered the ninth inning trailing a run. The first four runners reached base, tying the game at six and loading the bases with zero outs.
LA had the bases loaded and no outs with the game-winning run at third base. Will Smith struck out. Sheldon Neuse struck out. AJ Pollock struck out.
“I was pretty certain the game was going to be over,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Will [Smith] has taken a lot of good at bats for us. A lot of big hits for us. I felt really good about it.”
All the Dodgers had to do was put the ball in play and they had three consecutive strikeouts. Instead of celebrating a walk-off, this game went into extras.
Well, we know how that goes.
Entering the night, the Dodgers were 1-9 in extra inning games. Things went exactly as you’d expect. Trevor Story began the inning with a double off Jimmie Sherfy to put the Rockies ahead. Charlie Blackmon then hit a two-run homer to give the Rockies a 9-6 lead.
In the bottom half of the 10th inning, the Dodgers couldn’t even advance the runner from second base over to third. It’s the third straight loss for the Dodgers in which they had a lead late, but this one hurts the most. Aside from blowing the lead against the team with the worst road record in baseball, the fact the Dodgers had the bases loaded with zero outs and couldn’t even put the ball in play is an embarrassment. That simply can’t happen.
“I have no idea,” Justin Turner said on why the Dodgers struggle so much in extra innings. “If you guys have anything let me know. It’s pretty weird. That’s obviously not good.”
“We’ve lost them on the road and at home, I don’t have an explanation,” Roberts said. “I’d like to think it’ll even itself out. Outside of dissecting each game, I couldn’t give you an educated answer.”
The Dodgers have now lost five of their last six games. Thank goodness the Giants lost, so LA sits only three games back of first place still. You can’t help but feel deflated though after what we’ve seen this week. The Dodgers could easily be in first place, but they’re not.
“A loss is a loss,” Roberts said. “To lose them late is tough. We still had a chance to win the game. Guys gotta step up and get outs.”
Everything else that happened in the game, if you’re interested….
A two-out rally in the bottom of the first inning helped give the Dodgers the early lead. After a Chris Taylor leadoff double, the next two hitters got out. Will Smith, who seems to be delivering hit-after-hit for LA as of late, had yet another RBI. His double gave the Dodgers the 1-0 lead. For Smith, he has 13 RBI since the All-Star break, leading all of baseball.
Cody Bellinger followed with an RBI double of his own, snapping an 0-for-25 stretch in which he looked completely lost at the plate. Bellinger came in to score on a single from Matt Beaty, giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
After Colorado scored a run a few innings later, the Dodgers countered right back with a run of their own. Justin Turner hit a solo shot, already his 18th home run of the season. He’s currently tied for fifth in major-league baseball among third basemen in homers. All at the young age of 36.
The Dodgers added another run in the sixth inning, as AJ Pollock singled in a run. He drove in Bellinger, who was inches away from hitting a home run the at bat prior. Instead, he settled for a standup triple. Bellinger ended up leaving the game with left hamstring tightness.
David Price made the start for the Dodgers and was fantastic. When I say he was in cruise control all night, I mean it. Through the first five innings he was moving, averaging about 11 pitches per inning. His final line doesn’t give the big picture, as he allowed three runs in 5 2⁄3 innings with only four strikeouts. Price was one out away from tossing six innings and one earned run allowed.
He allowed a home run to Trevor Story and then walked Charlie Blackmon. He was pulled from the game and was relieved by Phil Bickford. Back-to-back singles from the Rockies brought them to within one run, but Bickford struck out Elias Diaz to end the frame.
Since April 13, Price has appeared in 24 games and has made six starts. During that time, his ERA is 2.45. He’s been fantastic for the Dodgers as of late and has really filled into the starting rotation nicely.
“David was fantastic,” Roberts said. “We got to his pitch count. He couldn’t have pitched any better. All and all, very well done and looking forward to his next start and keep building up. He did everything he needed to do.”
Friday particulars
WP: Daniel Bard (5-5) 1 IP, 0 ER
LP: Jimmie Sherfy (2-1) 1 IP, 2 ER (3 R)
SV: Lucas Gilbreath (1) 1 IP, 0 ER
HR: Justin Turner (18) Elias Diaz (8) Trevor Story (12) Charlie Blackmon (6)
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