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3 things you might have missed in Friday’s Rockies-Dodgers game

By Kevin Henry

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 04: A.J. Pollock #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by Cody Bellinger #35 at home plate after hitting a two run home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Carlos Estevez #54 of the Colorado Rockies during the eight inning at Dodger Stadium on September 4, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 04: A.J. Pollock #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by Cody Bellinger #35 at home plate after hitting a two run home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Carlos Estevez #54 of the Colorado Rockies during the eight inning at Dodger Stadium on September 4, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers continued not only their mastery over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night, but also continued to do it in heart-breaking fashion for Colorado fans.

With the Colorado Rockies taking a 6-5 lead on Kevin Pillar‘s grand slam in the top of the eighth, the Dodgers responded with plenty of power against one of Colorado’s best relievers so far this season. Homers by AJ Pollock, Joc Pederson, and Mookie Betts were part of a five-run eighth that would push Los Angeles to a 10-6 win and an overall 30-10 record, matching their best start in franchise history (also done in 1888, 1955, and 1977).

Those are just part of the numbers that have been impressive for the Dodgers, not only this season but against the Rockies for a longer span.

The tale of the tape

Los Angeles has now won 24 of the past 28 games against Colorado, including all four matchups this season (which have all taken place at Chavez Ravine). Dodger Stadium has been quite the home-field advantage for the Dodgers against Colorado as they have won 17 of the last 18 matchups between the two teams there.

But, so far this season, it hasn’t just been Colorado that has tried to figure out Los Angeles inside Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers are riding an 11-game home winning streak heading into Saturday’s game.

An anomaly

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Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez has been a mainstay in a bullpen that has the worst ERA in the National League. The 27-year-old right-hander came into Friday’s game as a road warrior, notching 8.2 scoreless innings away from Coors Field this season.

And it wasn’t just this season where Estevez has excelled on the road. Prior to Friday’s outing, he had logged a 2.09 ERA in 43 road outings since the start of the 2019 campaign. That included a 1.47 ERA with two homers surrendered in 29 road outings since June 4, 2019.

Friday, however, blew all of those numbers out of the water. On 15 pitches, Estevez recorded just one out but gave up four runs on four hits (including two of L.A.’s three homers in the frame).

In a season where Colorado needs to find some consistency in the bullpen, Rockies fans hope Friday was just a blip for Estevez.

Hilliard homers

One of the bright spots for the Rockies on Friday night was the continued power of rookie outfielder Sam Hilliard. With a solo blast off Dustin May in the fifth inning, Hilliard racked up his sixth home run of the season. Friday’s homer marks the second time this season that the 26-year-old Hilliard has homered in back-to-back games.

Next. What Kevin Pillar will mean for the Rockies in September. dark

Could Hilliard become a new nemesis for L.A.? Of his six homers this season, three have come at the expense of Dodger pitching.

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