July 1, 2009: Los Angeles Dodgers 1, Colorado Rockies 0

Jun 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher C. Kershaw (22) warms up before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Six years ago today, the Colorado Rockies lost a heartbreaker on the road late — and couldn’t score a run against a very young Dodgers ace-in-training.

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Did you guys know the Colorado Rockies can’t score on the road? Usually in losses, but even in wins, the Rox have trouble getting sustained offensive production away from Coors Field. Playing against aces — even soon-to-be aces — doesn’t help either. And, it always seems the Rox struggle in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, too.

Put that trifecta — road games, facing aces, and the Dodgers — together, and what do we have? July 1, 2009. It was on this day six years ago that poor Jason Hammel tossed a complete game five-hitter for the Rockies and lost 1-0, because the club couldn’t get more than three hits off Clayton Kershaw and three Dodgers’ relievers.

Kershaw, who was just in his second year in the big leagues, tossed a one-hitter in five innings, although he did walk five Rockies. The Dodgers got four scoreless innings in relief from Ronald Belisario, Ramon Troncoso, and Jonathan Broxton, and when the day was done, the Rockies only got three hits (but walked six times!) in the shut out.

Hammel was brilliant for the Rox, allowing five hits and no walks in an eight inning complete game. He gave up just the one run when pinch-hitter Rafael Furcal singled home pinch-runner Russell Martin in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs. Yes, Hammel was an out away from throwing eight scoreless innings that, as it turned out, would’ve sent the game into at least the bottom of the ninth.

That didn’t happen, Kershaw and the Dodgers won the pitcher’s duel (just barely), and the Rockies lost a tough road game.

The loss put the club at 41-37, in third place in the NL West. The Dodgers at that point in 2009 were 50-29, so losing 1-0 to a future ace and a team 21 games over .500 before the All-Star Break ain’t the most embarrassing thing.

But a loss is a loss, and as you enjoy some woeful Rockies road trip offense here in 2015, just think: not much has changed. It’s always been this way. Maybe it’ll always be this way. Yay Rockies!

BOX SCORE: July 1, 2009 — Los Angeles Dodgers 1, Colorado Rockies 0

July 1, 2009: Los Angeles Dodgers 1, Colorado Rockies 0

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