What a rocky road it’s been.
Colorado came into Los Angeles as the NL West leaders, but after three straight losses to the Dodgers, the Rockies chances of winning their division for the first time ever have been diminished greatly. On Wednesday night, after leading 2-0, Colorado was beaten 5-2 by LA.
Everything started great for the Rockies on Wednesday, they singled, reached on an error and walked to load the bases in the first inning. And then Ian Desmond singled to score Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu for the 2-0 lead.
Even Tyler Anderson, who’s struggled mightily this year, was on. He gave up a solo home run to Matt Kemp in the second inning, but that was the only run Anderson allowed in the first four innings.
In the fifth inning, the Dodgers tied the game up at 2-2 when Enrique Hernandez singled and Brian Dozier’s double sent him home.
Anderson finished the game going 6.0 innings pitched, giving up three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Scott Oberg replaced Anderson and Oberg gave away the game.
First, the Rockies bullpen pitcher forced a pop out. That was good. He then walked Max Muncy, which was bad. And then gave up a double to Yasmani Grandbal, which was worse.
But the game was decided when Oberg was not instructed to pitch around pinch-hitting Yasiel Puig, but to go after him. That was a massive mistake by manager Bud Black which cost the Rockies the game, and likely the division, as Puig went yard to win the game.
With the win, the Dodgers improved to 85-68 on the year while the Rockies fell to 82-70, 2.5 games back of the NL West lead with only 10 games to play.
Colorado takes a much-needed day off on Thursday before playing another crucial series against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Friday.
