Dodgers shut out by Rockies in series finale

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers had it served up for them on a silver platter. The Atlanta Braves had beaten the division-leading Giants, and all they had to do was beat the worst road team in the big leagues to gain a game in the standings. Plus, they were facing a pitcher whom the Dodgers have COMPLETELY owned this season. Sounds good, right? Yeah, well, best laid plans… blah, blah, blah. Instead of gaining that crucial game, the Dodgers laid a big fat goose egg in the series finale to the Rockies, losing 5-0 in a very flat performance. This is why, even though the Dodgers are on a pace to win over 100 games, this season can still be called frustrating.

Damn you, CJ Cron!

Not quite sure how, but somehow journeyman first baseman CJ Cron has become the most dangerous hitter in baseball this month. He already took Dodger pitching waaaay deep on Friday night, and he did it again on Sunday afternoon in the very first inning. His three-run shot off starter Mitch White was all the runs the Rox would need in this one. And, it was remarkable for the fact that practically everybody in the stadium knew that White shouldn’t be pitching to the guy with first base open and light-hitting Rio Ruiz on deck. But inexplicably, White gave him a pitch to hit and the game was essentially over before it started.

Senzatela stymies Dodgers for seven

Make no mistake about it, this game belonged to Rockies’ pitcher Antonio Senzatela, who came into the game with just two wins on the season. However, the Rockies’ righty has always had good stuff, just hasn’t had good outings against the Dodgers. On Sunday, the Dodgers saw the version of Senaztela that the rest of baseball has seen over the few years. In fact, the first time through the order, the 26-year-old Venezuelan was perfect on just a handful of pitches.

It wasn’t until Corey Seager‘s leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth that the home team even had a baserunner. The Dodgers had a couple of hits in that inning, but left everybody stranded and Senzatela kept rolling. In the end, he went 7.0 innings, and only gave up two hits, while walking just one man.

Dodgers’ eighth inning rally fizzles

The Rockies tacked on a couple more runs off Joe Kelly in the seventh, making the score 5-0 and the Dodgers really had their work cut out for them. They showed signs of some life with two outs in the eighth inning after Trevor Story couldn’t find a Trea Turner pop-up in the high sky. Max Muncy followed Turner with a walk, and they both advanced ninety feet on a wild pitch, so suddenly AJ Pollock had a couple of RBI out there waiting to be driven in. Pollock, who’s had a great week, unfortunately couldn’t get the job done this time, striking out to end the Dodgers’ last threat of the afternoon.

Belli’s spectacular catch

This game was almost completely void of highlights. However, there was one moment where fans were able to cheer with gusto. In the top of the sixth, with a man on second and two out, Connor Joe took a Joe Kelly pitch deep to centerfield, over Cody Bellinger‘s head. But, on a dead run, Belli went back on the ball and flagged it down right on the warning track. It was perhaps Bellinger’s best defensive play on the season, and showed his value, even if he isn’t hitting right now.

Weird pitching choices

Two odd bullpen choices finished out the game for the Dodgers. First, for some reason Kenley Jansen was brought in for the eighth inning. He did just fine, but it was odd that Roberts would use his closer in a non-leverage situation. And since he was used on Saturday as well, he will probably unavailable on Monday’s series opener with the Braves. I don’t get that one at all.

A little more understandable was Roberts decision to go with a position player after their rally in the eighth ended with a zero on the board. He sent out Justin Turner for his major league pitching debut, and to be honest, the guy did okay. He didn’t walk anybody, and though he gave up a couple of singles to start his outing, he recorded three straight outs to end a scoreless frame. So I guess, if we every need him, JT is available.

Frustrating end to the series

It wasn’t exactly the kind of game you want under your belt when you move into the most important week of the season so far. But it is what it is, I guess. The Dodgers, STILL 2 1/2 games out of first, finish the homestand with three games against the red-hot Braves, and then head up north for the Battle Royale against the Giants. Boys, you better shake this one off quickly. You got some work to do this week.