Adrian Medina
Game 75, 6/18/24: Dodgers 11, Rockies 9
DENVER, CO — WHAT. A. GAME. Initially dominated by the Rockies, it turned into one of the greatest comebacks for the Dodgers in recent memory. The relentless resilience of the Dodgers hitters made all the difference in this outstanding 11-9 victory, a game in which they came off the mat to score seven runs in an absolutely bananas ninth inning.
Colorado’s scoring began in the 1st, as they put up four runs against a struggling Walker Buehler. Ezequiel Tovar‘s RBI double, Ryan McMahon‘s RBI double, and Nolan Jones‘ sacrifice fly were the catalysts for these runs. It seemed the Colorado lineup was effectively sizing up Buehler and timing him well in the early going.
The Dodgers answered back with a run in the 2nd inning on a solo shot by Andy Pages, his eighth of the year. However, Buehler was unable to come up with a shutdown inning. The Rockies quickly responded with Elehuris Montero‘s two-run homer in the bottom of the second, putting Colorado up 6-1 after two innings.
In a typical Coors Field game, the runs kept coming for both sides. In the third, after a leadoff triple by the slump-ridden Chris Taylor, Shohei Ohtani drove in a run with an RBI groundout to bring the game back to a four-run deficit. But Brenton Doyle countered with another Rockies homer in the 4th, extending Colorado’s lead to 7-2. Doyle would end up going 4-for-5 in the game with a home run and four RBI. It was the best performance of the outfielder’s young career. That ended a rough night on the mound for Buehler, who remains a work in progress as he strives to fnd his feel on the mound. His line for the night: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. His ERA now sits at an unsightly 5.84. Yuck. Dude just hasn’t found it yet.
In the top of the sixth, it was Sho-Time in Denver. Ohtani absolutely demolished a 2-0 slider from starter Austin Gomber to send a 476-foot solo homer sailing through the thin Colorado air. It was the longest home run hit by any hitter in MLB this year. It was now 7-3 Rockies, and the Dodgers dugout sensed a change in the mood in the stadium. Stranger things had happened at Coors Field than a four-run comeback.
However, over the next few innings, the Dodgers and Rockies would trade runs, with each scoring a single run in each frame. In top of the 7th inning, it looked like the Dodgers were starting to gain momentum. After Kike Hernandez drew a two-out walk, Miguel Vargas‘ RBI double to cut the deficit to 8-4. Taylor then walked to put runners at first and second with Ohtani at the plate.
On a 3-1 count, Ohtani swung away, making solid contact on a drive that looked destined for the gap in right centerfield. But Brenton Doyle (that man again!) made a spectacular diving catch that ended the Dodgers’ threat. It was a play worthy of SportsCenter’s Top 10, reminiscent of Superman playing for Colorado. It looked as if the Dodgers’ last best chance to get back in the game had been squandered. When the Rockies tacked on a run in the bottom of the inning to push the margin to five, things were very bleak indeed.
Dodgers’ newcomer Michael Peterson made his MLB debut in relief, giving up only one run in two innings while striking out two. He showcased a powerful arm and impressive off-speed pitches, showing himself to be potentially a valuable asset for the bullpen.
Going into the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers faced a monumental challenge. Down by five with the bottom of the order coming to the plate. Not a great scenario for victory. However, Andy Pages led off the inning with a walk, and Miguel Rojas followed with a single to move Pages to third. After a Kike strikeout and a Vargas walk, the bases were loaded for pinch hitter Jayson Heyward. On a down-and-in 2-2 slider from reliever Tyler Kinley, Heyward blasted a grand slam that clipped the right field foul pole, bringing the Dodgers within one at 9-8.
That brought us to the top of the order and our brand-new leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani, who continued the momentum with a single off new pitcher Victor Vodnik. The tying run was now on base. Will Smith stepped up to the plate but struck out as he was controversially denied time on a 3-2 fastball. Smith wasn’t ready for the pitch, and home plate umpire Will Little rang him up, much to the displeasure of Dodger fans everywhere. It would not be the last controversial call of the inning.
A wild pitch advanced Ohtani to second, and Freeman was intentionally walked to set up pinch hitter Teoscar Hernandez, who came up with the tying run in scoring position. On a high fastball with a 2-2 count, Hernandez checked his swing. Sort of. The Rockies bench went into hysterics as they all thought that it was a game-ending strike three. First base umpire Lance Barksdale refused to ring him up, and Hernandez had earned himself another pitch. That was all he needed, On the very next pitch, Teo crushed a 100 mph fastball down the middle, sending it flying over the head of an enraged right fielder Jake Cave into the Rockies bullpen for a three-run home run.
They had done it. In scoring seven runs in their final at-bat, the Dodgers had staged the biggest comeback win of the season, and maybe one of the biggest comeback wins in recent memory. It was glorious. Hernandez circled the bases as Dodger fans in attendance went nuts in the Coors Field stands, and the Rockies players could only look on in a stunned silence.
Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips combined in the bottom of the ninth to close out one of the most thrilling games of the year. A thrilling game for all fans to watch, regardless of allegiance. Bobby Miller returns tomorrow at 5:40 PM PT. Exciting times ahead for Dodgers fans — get ready for more action!
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