The Colorado Rockies lost the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday afternoon, 9-6. The loss dropped Colorado’s record to 78-64 and their lead on the Dodgers in the National League West to just a half game.
Tyler Anderson was the starting pitcher for Colorado and struggled from the get-go.
Conversely, LA was hot out of the gate, with Justin Turner hitting a single and then scoring on a RBI double hit by All-Star Manny Machado early in the first inning. The Dodgers pushed another run across the plate in the first when David Freese hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing Machado to score and establishing a 2-0 lead for Los Angeles.
The Rockies got a run back immediately in the bottom of the first inning as Charlie Blackmon led off with a solo home run to left field, making the score 2-1.
Anderson’s struggles continued into the second inning where he surrendered a solo home run to Enrique Hernandez. Anderson then recorded two outs before issuing a walk to Brain Dozier. From there, Turner hit a routine fly ball to left field that Matt Holiday dropped, allowing Dozier to score and extend the Dodgers’ lead to 4-1.
Anderson struggled all afternoon and was pulled after just 2.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out two batters and issuing two walks.
The Rockies were able to cut the deficit in the fourth inning, which started with a triple from DJ LeMahieu. Trevor Story later grounded out to third base with LeMahieu crossing the plate to make the score 4-2.
The Dodgers added to their lead in the sixth inning. Chad Bettis, who was pitching in place of Anderson, allowed a leadoff single to Matt Kemp and then walked David Freese. Chris Taylor then drove home two runs via a double to deep center field.
Los Angeles added an additional two runs in the sixth inning when Turner hit a two-run home run to center field, extending their lead to 8-2.
The Rockies managed to creep back into the game in the sixth inning. The top of Colorado’s lineup raked, as Blackmon hit a double to left field then scored as LeMahieu followed with a RBI double to left center field. Nolan Areando then broke out of his 5-for-41 slump by blasting a two-run home run to center field to make the score 8-5.
Blackmon proceeded to hit his second solo home run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, bringing the Rockies to within two runs of the Dodgers. However, as the Rockies made one stride, the Dodgers further distanced themselves as they scored an RBI single from Alex Verdugo, putting Los Angeles on top 9-6.
The Rockies were unable to come back in the ninth inning and lost to the division rivals.
Colorado will welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to town four a four-game series starting Monday night at Coors Field with first pitch set for 6:40 MST.