Roger Arrieta
The Dodgers struck first and didn’t let up Monday night in the decisive series-opener against the Rockies, chasing Rox starting pitcher Jon Gray off the mound in the bottom of the third with the score 6-0, L.A.
The Dodgers led off with a solo shot from Joc Pederson and scored again in the first on a wild pitch. The Dodgers struck again in the third on an RBI single from Manny Machado and a three-run shot from Max Muncy. Pederson homered again in the fourth to bring L.A. up 8-0.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (who is *so close* to hitting one out) went seven shutout innings in one of his best performances of the season. The only Colorado runs came off the Dodger’s bullpen, with Alex Wood—recently moved to relief—giving up an RBI single in the eighth and a single from Nolan Arenado off John Axford later that inning.
Los Angeles holds first place once again, currently a half-game over the Rockies with the 8-2 victory. Arizona slipped further from contention Monday night with a 5-1 loss to the Cubs. The Dodger’s currently maintain the same record as the Cardinals (83-68) who hold the 2nd wild card spot alone with the Dodgers leading the NL West.
L.A. continues the series tonight against Colorado with Clayton Kershaw taking the mound. Game time is 7:10 pm, PST.
