Dodgers 9, Rockies 4
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 26) — A five-run eighth inning broke a 4–4 tie and gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 9–4 win over the host Colorado Rockies in Cactus League play Monday afternoon.
The Dodgers took a 1–0 lead against Rockies starter John Curtiss in the top of the first when first baseman Freddie Freeman and left fielder Teoscar Hernandez drew back-to-back one-out walks. Two batters later and with two outs, Gavin Lux singled sharply to center, scoring Freeman.
The lead swelled to 4–0 in the top of the second off Jeff Criswell, who recorded the last out of the first inning. A one-out walk by right fielder Andy Pages, followed by a single to left-center by center fielder Jose Ramos, put runners on the corners for second baseman Mookie Betts. Betts lined a double to right, bringing in Pages and advancing Travis Swaggerty to third. Freeman followed with a single to right, plating both runners to make the score 4–0.
A pair of homers by the Rockies made the score 4–3. The first came in the bottom of the third, a two-out solo shot to left by first baseman Kris Bryant. In the bottom of the fourth, a single and stolen base by second baseman Brendan Rodgers preceded a one-out homer to left by catcher Elias Diaz.
The Rockies tied the game in the bottom of the seventh off Dodgers reliever Eduardo Salazar. Reserve catcher Drew Romo doubled to center and advanced to third on a bloop single to left by reserve right fielder Yanquiel Fernandez. A towering sacrifice fly to deep center by Alan Trejo tied the game.
The Fateful Eighth
Thomas Ponticelli took the mound for the Rockies in the top of the eighth. Singles by Austin Gauthier, Taylor Young, and Drew Avans loaded the bases. Travis Swaggerty smacked a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Gauthier for a 5–4 lead. A ground-rule double to left-center by Ryan Ward made the score 6–4 as Young came home. Avans advanced to third, and scored on a grounder to short by Dalton Rushing. Ward came in on a single to left by Cody Hoese, who advanced to second on the throw home. Hunter Feduccia drove in Hoese with a double to left, ending Ponticelli’s outing and finalizing the score.
What Went Right for the Rockies
Rallying Back
The Rockies fought back from a 4–0 deficit to tie the game against three Dodgers relievers, with the homers from Bryant and Diaz playing large roles.
A Stolen Base for a New Face
Brendan Rodgers has never even attempted a stolen base in a regular-season game, but he stole second in the fourth inning.
Scoreless Relief from Most
Six of the eight relief pitchers blanked the Dodgers during their outings. These pitchers were Jaden Hill, newcomer Jalen Beeks, Matt Carasiti, Tyler Kinley, Evan Justice, and Josh Rogers.
What Went Wrong for the Rockies
The Eighth Inning
Eighth-inning reliever Thomas Ponticelli struggled in his appearance. The Dodgers knocked him around the yard, cracking three singles, three doubles, and a deep sacrifice fly.
Early Deficit
The Rockies fell in an early 4–0 hole after allowing three walks and four hits across the first two innings.
Quotes
“KB has been swinging the bat well. The first game he played, (he had) a couple of good swings. (He hit) foul balls that were home run distance. Today, he kept one fair. But I liked his at-bats. I think Diaz had a good swing, obviously. It was good to get those guys out there together as a group.” — Rockies manager Bud Black on the home runs from Kris Bryant and Elias Diaz
“I like his arm. He comes from a team that’s pitched well over the last couple of years (the Tampa Bay Rays), and he’s been a part of that group. I like the fastball, I like the (change-up). He’s capable against both left- and right-handed hitters, so he’ll be an integral part of our bullpen.” — Black on the performance of left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks, acquired in November off waivers from the Rays
“Good outing. Big arm. Good fastball. I liked the use of the fastball today. A couple of good sliders. Velocity might have been down a mile or two, but it’s still February. He pitched two days ago, had one day off, but I like what’s coming out.” — Black on the performance of Jaden Hill
Looking Ahead
The Rockies hit the road Tuesday, while the Dodgers will head back to their spring home.
In Surprise, the Rockies will take on Kansas City Royals. Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner will toe the slab against Royals lefty Daniel Lynch IV. First pitch will be at 1:05 pm Mountain Time.
The Dodgers have a clash with the Chicago White Sox, with whom they share their spring training home. White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet and Dodgers righty Bobby Miller are the scheduled starters. First pitch will also be at 1:05 pm Mountain Time. This game will feature the first spring appearance of superstar Shohei Ohtani in a Dodgers uniform.
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Main Photo Credits:
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 26) — Jordan Beck of the Colorado Rockies prepares for a pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alec Gamboa (not pictured) in the ninth inning of a Cactus League game at Salt River Fields. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies, 9–4. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)
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