The Colorado Rockies have lost 11 consecutive games at Dodger Stadium (that would be since September 21, 2024), and they came into tonight’s game looking to break that streak and avenge a heartbreaking loss from Monday night.
It was another game when a dogged Rockies team played without fear against a juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers squad, and this time, the Rockies pulled off a 4-3 win.
“There wasn’t a doubt in the dugout,” Tyler Freeman said after the game.
Although Justin Wrobleski stymied the Rockies in the first inning, Michael Lorenzen was less successful when facing Shohei Ohtani, who kicked off the Dodgers half of the inning by mashing his 300th career home run.
It looked like the game might go off the rails early when Lorenzen followed that up with a throwing error that put Andy Pages on second. However, he managed to get out of it without allowing any additional runs.
The Rockies got their first hit in the third inning with a Mickey Moniak single. Willi Castro followed that with a walk. They were unable to capitalize despite a TJ Rumfield single when Castro was called out at second base after being hit by a batted ball, and the score remained 1-0 Dodgers.
It looked like the Dodgers might add on in the fourth after Lorenzen gave up singles to Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman, but a 4-6-3 double play ended the inning and prevented the Dodgers from adding to their one-run lead.
The Rockies again had traffic in the fifth inning after Braxton Fulford and Moniak both singled, but they were (again) unable to score.
Lorenzen had been excellent going into the fifth when he began to lose some of the control he had exhibited throughout the game. He started by issuing a leadoff walk to Dalton Rushing; Alex Freeland followed that with a single. A Miguel Rojas bunt failed to score Rushing, who was out at the plate. Lorenzen followed that by walking Ohtani to load the bases. But he wasn’t done issuing free passes with the next one scoring Pages, which made the score 2-0 Dodgers. The Rockies managed two outs after that to end the inning and keep the game within reach.
Finally in the fifth inning, the Rockies got on the board. It started with a Cole Carrigg double (allowing him to reach base in 18 consecutive games) followed by a Tyler Freeman single. Jake McCarthy brought Carrigg home, cutting the Dodgers’ lead in half, 2-1.
In their half of the fifth, the Dodgers would get back their two-run lead when a Rumfield fielding error allowed Edman to get on base. Eventually, he scored on a single by Freeland, and the Dodgers again had a 3-1 lead.
Wrobleski had another strong start for the Dodgers. He logged 7.0 IP and allowed one run (earned) on six hits. He walked two and struck out nine on 94 pitches. His current ERA is 2.69.
The Rockies have come to dominate the eighth inning, and the offense made on of their trademark appearances tonight. It started with a walk by Kyle Karros and then a single by Carrigg, putting runners on first and second. Tyler Freeman followed up with a hit that let to a Rojas error, but it was enough to score Karros, making the score 3-2 Dodgers, while Carrigg moved to second.
The hit knocked reliever Will Klein out of that game after just 0.1 IP, and manager Dave Roberts turned to Jack Dreyer.
It didn’t matter.
McCarthy laid down a bunt that scored Carrigg. Third baseman Max Muncy had not other move but to throw to second. That led to a throwing error by Freeland that left the ball in the camera well, scored Tyler Freeman, and put McCarthy at third when Dreyer failed to cover the base.
Actually, just watch.
The Rockies finished their half of the eighth with a 4-3 lead.
“We executed,” manager Warren Schaeffer said after the game. “It was a good inning.”
As the game turned to the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies maintained their one-run lead.
Jordan Romano came in to close for the Rockies.
He started by surrendering a single to Freeland. Roberts sent in Teoscar Hernández to pinch hit for Rojas, and during the at-bat, Freeland stole second. Following that, Romano walked Hernández with no outs as Ohtani stepped to the plate.
He promptly popped out to Karros leaving two on with one out as All-Star Andy Pages came up to hit. However, a fly out to right brought the second out as Freddie Freeman took his turn at the plate.
Fulford used two ABS Challenges to correct miscalls by home plate umpire Adam Beck, leaving the Dodgers first baseman with a 0-2 count.
Romano caught Freeman on a swinging strike on a gut-churning slider.
Game over.
Rockies win!
For Lorenzen, this game was a solid outing.
In terms of his pitching, Lorenzen was outstanding. In 6.0 IP, he allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits. He walked three, struck out five, and allowed one home run on 95 pitches (54 for strikes).
However, he was also responsible for one fielding error.
That said, Lorenzen’s strong start kept the Rockies in the game until the offense’s eighth-inning tear. His current ERA is 6.65.
“He had a great night pitching,” Schaeffer said, noting Lorenzen’s throw to the plate in the fourth.
“I thought his offspeed stuff was really good. He pitched with confidence.”
“The changeup changed everything for me today,” Lorenzen said after the game. He has been working with Tanner Gordon on the pitch. “He gave me a cue that I felt comfortable going into the start with.”
In the seventh inning, Schaeffer turned the game over to the bullpen.
Juan Mejia was first out, and he started by striking out Ohtani. Although Mejia allowed a hit, the Dodgers did not score. His final line was 2.0 IP with one hit and one strikeout on 24 pitches. It was the kind of outing the Rockies expect from Mejia.
“I thought Juan was fantastic,” Schaeffer said.
The ninth went to experienced closer Jordan Romano who did not disappoint. He went 1.0 IP, allowing no runs on one hit. He also walked one and struck out one batter.
Right now, Reader, the Rockies bullpen is very good.
“The first couple of outings from him look really good,” Schaeffer said. “We’re happy to have him.”
Join us tomorrow night for Game 3 when Gabriel Hughes will face Roki Sasaki as the Rockies will look to take the series.
First pitch is at an ungodly 8:10 pm. (Hey, if the Rockies win, who cares?)
See you then.
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The Rockies have a signature eighth
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