Zack Greinke Dominates in Complete Game Shutout

Dodgers 1 4 0

Rockies 0 2 1

WP- Greinke (8-2)

LP- Chatwood (5-3)

After a listless loss last night to the Rockies, the Dodgers were looking to revive their offense in game three on Saturday afternoon. Yasiel Puig was out of the lineup with a sore hip, and Carl Crawford‘s back remains rusty. With the All-Star break around the corner, the Dodgers hope to finish the first half on a winning note and pull closer to first place in the N.L. West behind Arizona.

Hanley Ramirez collects a RBI on a groundout in the first inning. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

It was a pitcher’s duel through most of the game, and Zack Greinke had a perfect one going on through 4 1/3 innings until Todd Helton singled in the fifth. Tyler Chatwood allowed a Dodgers run in the first inning on a scoring groundball by Hanley Ramirez, but was lights out thereafter and was on par with Greinke throughout the Saturday matchup.

It was the Greinke show on Saturday, as the right-hander sailed through all nine innings only allowing two hits to the Rockies. He also had a base hit for good measure. It was good for his 99th career victory and his fifth consecutive win on the season. Greinke has now pitched 16 straight scoreless frames. Greinke induced 14 groundouts and struck out nine while walking one batter. This was Greinke’s first shutout since 2009. Tyler Chatwood also deserves recognition, and the righty only allowed one lone Dodgers run on 4 hits over 8 innings of work while striking out 4 and walking 2.

Zack Greinke starts things off in the top of the first with a nice easy 1-2-3 inning as the Rockies go down in order.

Skip Schumaker leads off the home half of the first inning with a double to left center field past a diving Dexter Fowler! Tyler Chatwood hits Mark Ellis with a pitch, and the Dodgers are in business early with two on and nobody out. Adrian Gonzalez grounds out to second, but the runners advance to second and third. Hanley Ramirez also grounds out, but Schumaker comes in to score on the play. Dodgers take a 1-0 lead. Andre Ethier strikes out on a high fastball to end the inning.

The Rockies go down on two balls hit to Uribe at third and a comebacker to Greinke in the top of the second. Greinke has retired six in a row on just 14 pitches.

Jerry Hairston Jr. draws a one-out walk in the bottom of the second. Juan Uribe grounds out to third as JHair takes second. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu makes a nice play to rob Greinke of a base hit up the middle for the third out.

Greinke pitches another economically perfect inning, and he needs just 9 pitches to retire Colorado in the third.

Mark Ellis draws a one-out walk in the bottom of the third, but the Dodgers can’t muster anything more against Chatwood in the frame.

Greinke is dialed in, and he once again pitches a perfect inning in the top of the fourth.

Hanley Ramirez dunks a single into right field to lead-off in the bottom of the fourth for the Dodgers. Ethier whiffs for the

Tyler Chatwood was edged out by Zack Greinke, but he only allowed one run over eight innings. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

second time. A.J. Ellis grounds into a double play as old man Helton makes a nice scoop to get Ellis out at first in time.

Greinke’s first strikeout victim is Michael Cuddyer in the top of the fifth. The perfect game is broken up by Todd Helton of all people as he singles to left field on a curveball. Juan Uribe snags a line drive hit by Nolan Arenado with his cat-like reflexes, and Greinke whiffs Yorvit Torrealba who proceeds to throw a tantrum.

In the bottom of the fifth, Zack Greinke singles with two outs. With Skip Schumaker at the plate, Greinke steals his first base of the year! Schumaker strikes out on a foul tip, and Greinke is stranded.

Mark Ellis throws wildly as Jonathan Herrera bunts for a hit to begin the top of the sixth. With Chatwood at bat, A.J. Ellis mows down Herrera trying to steal second! Once again, we’ve been over this, you don’t run on A.J.! Chatwood and Fowler both strikeout against Greinke as we head to the bottom of the sixth.

Chatwood, who is pitching a great game as well, strikes out Mark Ellis on a nasty curve. Gonzo flies out, and Hanley grounds as the Dodgers go down in order against the Colorado right-hander.

Greinke induces yet another groundout as LeMahieu grounds out to short. Zack has induced 11 groundouts so far (Chatwood also has 11 groundouts thus far) CarGo and Cuddyer both strikeout for Greinke’s fifth and sixth whiffs of the game.

A.J. Ellis doubles with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Hairston flies out. Uribe grounds out to third, and the Dodgers strand A.J. at second.

In the eighth, Todd Helton draws a lead-off walk after a nine pitch at-bat. Josh Rutledge will pinch-run for Helton. With Arenado at-bat, Rutledge steals second. Arenado grounds out, and Torrealba strikes out again. Herrera grounds out to first, and Greinke covers the bag to get the final out.

Zack Greinke was excellent as he went the distance for the shutout on Saturday. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Mark Ellis limps his way to first as replacement first baseman Jordan Pacheco bumbles the ball for an error. Ellis had just fouled a ball off his leg during his at-bat. Nick Punto will run for Ellis. Adrian Gonzalez flies out, and he goes 0-for-4 in the game.

Greinke is back out there for the ninth. Charlie Blackmon grounds out to short. Dexter Fowler is blown away by a 93-mph Greinke heater. Then LeMahieu strikes out looking!

Zack Greinke pitched a beautiful complete game shutout, and the Dodgers win their 47th game of the season behind their brilliant right-hander.

Tomorrow the Dodgers and Rockies will wrap-up the four-game series before both team’s get some time off for the All-Star break. Ricky Nolasco will make his first home start as a Dodger, and the Rockies will counter with Jhoulys Chacin in the 1:10 p.m. game.