In September, the games mean more.
Especially when a team is in the running for their first division title in the 25-year history of the franchise.
But the Colorado Rockies — led by starting pitcher Jon Gray — didn’t show up to Los Angeles on Monday night, losing in 8-0 shutout fashion to the Dodgers.
Gray was again atrocious; he’s gone four, four and two innings in his last three starts, struggling supremely as of late. The Dodgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and then pushed that to 6-0 in the second inning, leading to Gray being yanked incredibly early.
He gave up six runs on seven hits, with two walks and one strikeout and the Rockies were basically dead in the water at that point. In the fourth inning, the Dodgers added two insurance runs when Joc Pederson hit a two-run home run to score himself and starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu.
While Gray was ghastly, so was the Rockies offense. Colorado managed a mere three hits through five innings as Ryu made them look silly.
Oh, and to add injury to insult, All-Star shortstop Trevor Story injured his arm in the game.
Late in the game, the Rockies added two runs but it was far too little, too late at that point.
For Colorado, this was a worst-case scenario for the first game of a three-game series against the Dodgers, who were No. 2 in the NL West coming into this game. LA leap-frogged the Rockies and took the lead of the division with the victory.
Colorado has never won the NL West in their 25-year history, meaning they’re looking to do so for the first time ever. Games like Monday night’s won’t help them accomplish that elusive feat.
