Colorado Rockies: Key moments from the Los Angeles Dodgers series

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DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 27: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

After Cody Bellinger hit a home run bouncing off David Dahl’s glove to score the first run of the first game between the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers, only one feeling came to mind. Oh no… here we go again. When the Dodgers won on Thursday night for the 12th straight game against the purple pinstripes, after a series in which Dodgers’ rookies hit three straight walk-offs, the outcome felt even more devastating.

On the Wikipedia page for the Colorado Rockies, it felt necessary to change the owner section from Dick Monfort to Dodgers, Bellinger & Co. But a funny thing happened in Game 2 against the Dodgers best pitcher to just boost enough morale against a team that has won the NL West six seasons in a row and are 11 games ahead of the Rockies. Pinball certainly summed up the early going in this series. It was time for the Rockies to be on the winning side of all those dingers and the ensuing chaos.

https://twitter.com/Rockies/status/1145027268726706176

Game 1: Walker Buehler vs. Peter Lambert

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Before we get to that second game, the first one of the series was telling and it wasn’t all bad for the Rockies. After the Dodgers went up two quick runs early on back-to-back home runs, many of the Rockies younger core including Raimel Tapia, Ryan McMahon, Lambert got a hit and Garrett Hampson hit a two-out triple to tie it up. The lead changed so many times in this game, you might have understandably mistaken it with the Kentucky Derby.

While the starting pitching was much to be desired, the bullpen and specifically the closer became the most glaring problem in this game. After an epic collapse giving up a 13-10 in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres, Wade Davis needed this pick-me up. Instead he gave up four runs in the top of the ninth to break the tie at eight a piece. Many have questioned, after these disappointing performances, if Davis should keep his job as closer. Fortunately there was room for redemption for both Colorado and Davis alike the rest of the series.

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 28: Starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela #49 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on June 28, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Game 2: Hyun-Jin Ryu vs. Antonio Senzatela

This game could arguably be the most important of the season so far. Sure, it was more important getting out from under a 3-12 record, but the way the Dodgers are dominating this matchup lately, it was nice to get them out of their heads for a even a day. Bellinger had an off-night uncharacteristically but he did get the first run in, in what became a theme of the night. Daniel Murphy fielded a grounder from Bellinger but in a fielder’s choice threw off Max Muncy‘s back allowing the first run to score. More on that in a moment.

Game 3: Clayton Kershaw vs. Jon Gray

The great thing about this series is that the Rockies can compete with the Dodgers. They got to every one of the Dodgers best pitchers. Even better, Jon Gray was able to end the pinball madness and continues to rebound from last season. More in-depth analysis here. Another benefit for the Rockies is that they’re getting runs from unexpected places in this series. Pat Valaika hit a homer in Game 2 off Ryu, who coming into the game had only given up seven homers in 100 innings. That ended a 0-for-30 streak for Valaika earning his first homer of the season and flipped the switch for the eighth run fifth.

In Game 3 it was time for Mark Reynolds‘ bat to wake up. Hitting just .161 this season, Reynolds was able to break a 3-3 tie to put the club ahead for good. If Valaika and Reynold’s can get back to contributing the way they did off the bench in 2017, this lineup could outlast the June-run onslaught better the rest of the season. Thankfully Davis’ June ended on a high note after having a 10.45 ERA in the month redeeming his Game 1 performance by striking out a pair of Dodgers to end the game.

Well look at that! #Rockies win and Wade Davis nails down the save. See you tomorrow at Coors Field!
— Rox Pile (@RoxPileFS) June 30, 2019

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 30: Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by Chris Tayler #3 after scoring on a Joc Pederson 2 RBI single in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Game 4: Kenta Maeda vs. Chi Chi Gonzalez

What’s to be said about this one other than it’s best to forget. Gonzalez pitched well enough to win by mostly having command of his slider and sinker. He will need to command these more effectively though as his career goes forward to make a deeper impact on this rotation. Maeda pitched better than him for most of the outing but ran into the Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl buzzsaw just before they were both announced as All-Stars. None of that seemed to matter though just an inning later where the Dodgers scored six in the sixth. Chad Bettis and Jesus Tinoco were both ineffective, effectively killing the momentum the Rockies built earlier in the series.

Colorado Rockies: Looking at the halfway point by the numbers. dark. Next

At least the consecutive losing streak against the Dodgers is over. There is more momentum generated from this series than last which should propel them in the second half of the season. The Rockies must use the fact that they were in every game of this series and should have won it. Not dwelling on the Dodgers might be the biggest barometer of this team’s success the rest of the season.

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