Dodger Five-Run Rally Falls Just Short in 8-7 Loss

I despise Coors Field. And this was the Coors Fieldiest game ever. How can I properly cover this game in any conventional sense? It’s almost impossible. The Dodgers rallied from an 8-2 deficit, only to lose by a score of 8-7.

Both clubs combined for fifteen runs. The Dodgers had seven runs on eight hits, and the Rockies scored eight runs on 12 hits. Starting pitcher Dan Haren was predictably atrocious. We go from a Kershaw masterpiece to this. What the hell.

Dodgers 7 8 0

Rockies   8 12 2

WP-De La Rosa-9-6

LP-Haren-8-5

SV-Hawkins-15

HR-Stubbs-7-Dickerson-11

Haren whiffed eight and did not walk anyone, which made his pitching line look pretty good. But alas he also gave up eight runs on ten hits across 5.1 awful frames. Although he only gave up two home runs. And in Coors Field, that’s like progress. Silver linings people. Of course he still allowed his usual first inning runs. Nothing irritates me more than deflating first inning runs before the chairs are warm. That’s like bunting. There’s nothing more demoralizing than being down by several runs before the second inning. Haren has now allowed first inning runs in ten of his last 13 starts. He had a great start last week against Cleveland, but that only proves that his back wasn’t bothering him. Haren isn’t this terrible. I think he’s been pitching hurt for the last several weeks. His stiff back has been effecting his pitch location. That would explain his hot start and why he’s tapered off so much since. Why the Dodgers don’t just DL the guy and call up Zach Lee is beyond me. Annoying.

Anyways, his mound opponent left hander Jorge De La Rosa only allowed two earned runs on three hits over six frames. He walked three and whiffed three. The Rockie’s starting staff has been in shambles. All of their starters are hurt. Chacin, Chatwood, all those guys. They’ve been so desperate they had to trade for Jair Jurrjens, who was lit up like a Christmas tree last night.

I don’t get it. How did the Dodgers not hit this guy? This is the guy that got hammered for eight runs at Dodger Stadium on June 18 in Kershaw’s no-hitter. He has a 4.75 ERA. Of course he flummoxed the Dodgers. Is that a word? Yeah, he flummoxed us.

Both clubs scored twice in the first inning. Colorado scored three in the third, one in the fifth, and two more in the sixth. All were off of Haren. After that, they didn’t get anything. The Dodgers after scoring two in the first, scored five runs in the seventh. But after that they scored a big goose egg.

Hanley doubled home Yasiel Puig in the first, and the Dodgers got an RBI single from Juan Uribe. The Rockies had home runs from Drew Stubbs and Corey Dickerson and Wilin Rosario had two RBI singles to lead their offensive attack. In the Dodger’s five run seventh, they got an RBI double from Puig, a pinch-hit RBI single from Clint Robinson, (his second of his career), and an RBI single from Hanley. The Dodgers actually batted around in the inning. There was a Uribe double play that scored another run. The inning ended with Adam Ottavino striking out A.J. Ellis looking.

The Dodgers had a chance to tie the score in the eighth, when Gordon singled with one out and scored second. But Ottavino whiffs Puig, and got Hanley to ground out.

The Dodgers went down 123 in the ninth against veteran LaTroy Hawkins and that was that. Probably the highlight of the game came in the bottom of the eighth. The Dodgers were losing 8-7 and Colorado had a runner at second with none out. Stubbs hit a drive to right that Puig started in on, misjudges and makes another incredible diving play. Then Catcher Wilin Rosario foolishly tried to tag up to third, and Puig throws him out easily for a double play. Check it out.

I’m not going to spend hours recapping this game, especially when the Dodgers lost in aggravating fashion. It’s Coors Field for crying out loud. Hard to cover in any practical sense. Let’s just say the Dodgers dropped the third game 8-7, and move on.

The Dodgers are now 50-40 on the season, and their lead in the NL West is now one game. If the Giants beat the Padres tonight, it shrinks back to a half game.

Sunday afternoon at 1:10 PM will see the two clubs battle in the series finale. Josh Beckett will counter 28-year old journeyman rookie left hander Yohan Flande. Yes I told you Colorado was desperate. Go Blue.