Rockies storm back, beat Dodgers 9-7
The Colorado Rockies began a 10-game homestand by roaring back to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-7. It was a victory that defied their miserable comeback history this season, gave the Rockies consecutive wins for the first time since May 16-17 and, time will tell, might spark a hot streak.
The Rockies overcame a four-run deficit to win for the first time this season, scoring five runs in the seventh to wipe out the Dodgers’ 7-3 lead. The Rockies were 2-25 this season when trailing after six innings, including 1-14 at home. The last time they won when trailing after six innings was May 17 when they were behind 3-1 after six innings and won 5-3.
The Rockies scored three runs in the sixth to cut the Dodgers’ lead to 4-3. But the Dodgers scored three runs in the seventh off Matt Reynolds to make it 7-3, aided greatly by a poor decision by catcher Jose Morales to field speedy Dee Gordon’s bunt and an even poorer choice to throw the ball, which he did off balance and leaning and threw it past first base. That gaffe allowed pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who had led off with his second straight single to score, and sent Gordon to second.
He scored on Casey Blake’s double, and after a wild pitch moved Blake to third, he scored on Andre Ethier’s sacrifice fly.
But the Rockies, whose five-run output in Wednesday’s 5-3 win at San Diego gave them a total of 18 runs on a nine-game road trip, scored five runs and sent 11 batters to the plate in the seventh. Todd Helton and pinch hitter Jason Giambi each walked with the bases loaded. Carlos Gonzalez, who went 3-for-5 with a double, singled home the first run of the inning. And Troy Tulowitzki, who went 2-for-5 with four RBI, singled home two runs to tie the game at 7 before back-to-back walks to Ty Wigginton and Giambi put the Rockies ahead 8-7.
They added a run in the eighth when Seth Smith led off with a single, moved to third on Gonzalez’s double and scored on Chris Nelson‘s long sacrifice fly.
Huston Street gave up a one-out double to Ethier, but struck out Matt Kemp, who went 3-for-5 with a homer, triple, double and four RBI, and got pinch hitter Rod Barajas to fly out to earn his 18th save in 20 chances.
Other highlights:
_ Tulowitzki is 5-for-9 with seven RBI in his past two games. He has raised his average to .264, the highest it has been since May 4 (.271).
_ Gonzalez’s multi-hit game was his first since he went 2-for-4 at Los Angeles on May 30.
_ Starter Juan Nicasio allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts in five innings while throwing 94 pitches, 57 strikes. He has given up 22 hits in 18 innings in his three major league starts.
_ Nelson’s sacrifice fly gave him first RBI in the majors. He went 2-for-4 and broke a string of nine hitless at-bats with a single in the first.
_ Reynolds was in line to get the win after the Rockies five-run rally in the seventh, but because he was ineffective, the official scorer, as is his right, awarded the victory to Rafael Betancourt, who retired the side in order in the eighth. Reynolds had been scored upon in just three of his previous 27 games and had a season-long scoreless streak of 8 1/3 innings, stretching over 15 games dating from May 5.
_At Triple-A Colorado Springs, Esmil Rogers (right lat strain) made his first rehab start and allowed one run on six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in five innings against Reno. He threw 88 pitches, 53 strikes. Rogers last pitched for the Rockies on May 1. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 7, retroactive to May 2.
…and the Giants just lost. How sweet is that?
I take complete credit for this because I turned off the game when the score was 7-3 LA. I may take a break for a few days to see if they can get a winning streak going.
Nice move in the right direction!
I was laughing reading through over 90 comments on the lineup thread. Everyone bawling about the Rox before the game was over. LOL.
I really like Nelson and Blackmon as they strike out far fewer times than Dex Fowler.
Nicasio should have been out of the 5th inning with no damage. Tulo and Nelson combined for a very poor and slow double play ball with a slow Blake running.
“I think the biggest thing is we got some hits with runners in scoring position,” Tulowitzki said.
DUH!!
Someone on the game thread said it’s getting annoying that the Rockies announcers keep saying how sharp Street looks. Why? He does look sharp. He seems to be a guy who can’t be used on consecutive days. With all those losses, he’s fresh again. Matt Reynolds had a tough night, but this is now looking like a really good bullpen. Brothers has great stuff and is a quick learner, Reynolds has been very good, Betancourt/Street/Belisle are doing their jobs, and Lindstrom has been having a fantastic season (although his component stats show he’s been more than a little lucky this year — he deserves it since he was really unlucky on balls in play over the last couple years). If this club can ever get a lead after 6 innings, they’ll be tough.
Chris Nelson’s lack of experience at 2B is showing a bit, but I can’t fault him at all for his performance so far. In his call-ups last year and this year, he’s impressed me by being a much more polished player (particularly the quality of his at bats) than advertised. He remains the only real in-house option (other than Emaus) for at least average performance at that position.
Well informed comments and passion on the game thread last night. We might not always agree with each other, but great insight. Definately enjoyed commenting during the game. This site let’s me have a baseball outlet from stresses of life. Rockies are definately stressful, but they came through last couple of games.
Lot’s of positives about last night’s comeback. Keep building off of these games team, please.
Nelson, you have my vote for staying in lineup, love the way he is driving the ball.
Todd and Giambi, well done.
JT, please return Smith and CDI to their rightful positions. But, great use of the bench last night. I am sure that was the plan all along with the lineup (wink wink).
Ok, have a good friday all. Again great game thread yesterday.
Agbayani, I was being superstitious. It seems to me that whenever Drew Goodmen mentions how great a bullpen arm has been is the game that guy goes out and blows.
I wasn’t saying that Goodmen was wrong.
The biggest question for me is if this is a game the Rockies build on or do they turn around and score a total of 5 runs in the next three games? The Dodgers are going nowhere this year with all of their ownership turmoil, so grabbing an early lead in games could have them going through the motions. The pitching has been sensational and getting Tulo and Cargo going will make all the difference. I wanted to also comment on the other thread about Ianetta vs. Morales. IMO, it is not so much about whether CDI should be starting but whether Morales is an adequate backup. I say he is not and why not bring up Pacheco? I know they want “at bats” for him, but let him start 2-3 times per week which is better than 5 days per week in the minors.
Prog, I feel the same way about FGH’s game comments. It seems like whenever I watch on ROOT I spend the whole time “knocking on wood” because of their jinxing comments.
Karl, I agree on CDI and Smith. I think Spilly now has 5 K’s in 2 games against Kershaw. It’s time to drop the whole left/right thing and start Smith against Kershaw.
Did see in the Post this morning Rocks are talking to other teams about Morales. Could the Rocks be putting him on display a little?
Trip, I’m not sure who would want him based on last nights defensive performance, and also the last game he played before that was not so good.
I think the altitude got Kershaw. Maybe that is the Rockies new strategy. If you can’t hit a pitcher, let him get hits and make him run the bases (joking). However, I have noticed over the years even Rockie pitchers seem to be less effective the half inning after having to run hard on the bases. Sitting in the dugout catching their breath seems to work out better, unless the next guy hits a home run and they can jog around the bases.
Kershaw was worn out from all that base running. The kid can hit. This was the first game since last September that I’ve been to that the Rockies have won. So much more fun when we win, my voice is gone today.
Wayne, I did not say it was a good display, only that he was being displayed….
grin*