Steve Webb
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — That was… interesting. In one of the oddest games of the year, the Dodgers managed to outlast (or out-weird) the Colorado Rockies and came up with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Mookie Betts infield single with the bases loaded. Cody Bellinger slid across home with the winning run and the Dodgers had secured 2-1 victory and a sweep of the Rockies
Pitchers’ duel through five
The back of the baseball card was not that impressive for either starter in this game. Mitch White, a spot-starter with less than 100 innings of big league experience started for the Dodgers, and José Ureña, a veteran trying to hook on with the Rockies after being cut by the Brewers earlier this year. But baseball gives you unexpected treats sometimes, and a pitchers’ duel between these two hurlers is exactly what ensued the first five innings.
Both pitchers were a little wild; White walked four and Urena barely had a 50/50 ball to strike ratio. But inconsistent as they were, they held there opponents down in the early going. Through the first five innings, the Dodgers had only one single, and Mitch White had a no-hitter going against the Rockies.
1 walk + 1 hit + 1 error = 1 run
The Rockies were the first to break the scoreless tie. In the top of the sixth inning, Kris Bryant got the rally started with a one-out walk. Then the next play was out of a pitcher’s nightmare. Kris Bryant took off from first on a full count to hitter Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers poked a little flare into center field that Cody Bellinger had to field on one hop, and Bryant tried for the third base.
Then, Cody Bellinger made a very poor decision. Instead of throwing to second and keeping a double play in order, Bellinger heaved the ball to third in a fairly futile attempt to nab Bryant before he slid into the bag. The ball came in on a bounce and Justin Turner couldn’t come up with it. It caromed high off his glove and over the head of Mitch White, who was in position to back up the play. It bounced into the dugout for a moment before returning to the field of play, creating a dead ball situation. Bryant was awarded home on the play, and with just one hit, the Rockies had gotten onto the scoreboard.
Wild pitch leads to tie game
If the Rockies had been gifted a run in the sixth, they returned the favor to the Dodgers in the seventh. After a Justin Turner single was erased with a double play, the Dodgers got right back to work. First, Cody Bellinger started the rally with a two-out single. Gavin Lux followed it up with a single of his own and there were runners at the corners. When Austin Barnes got plunked by new pitcher Jake Bird, the bases were juiced for Mookie Betts.
But Bird was having trouble finding the strike zone. On a 2-2 pitch to Betts, Bird tossed a curve ball that was a good three feet outside. Catcher Brian Serven got a glove on it, but it kicked away from him toward the Rockies’ dugout. At third, Cody Bellinger hesitated a bit, but then barreled toward the plate. He slid in just under Bird’s tag, and the game was tied.
The wacky walk-off
After a quiet 8th and 9th innings for the Rockies (good relief work by Craig Kimbrel, Yency Almonte and David Price in this one), the Dodgers came up to bat with a chance for a walk-off win in the bottom of the 9th. And their rally started as almost a carbon copy of the 7th inning. Cody Bellinger hit a single. Gavin Lux hit another single to corner the runners. Will Smith came in to pinch hit for Barnes and drew a walk. So once again, we had the same scenario. Bases loaded and Mookie Betts at the plate with a chance for a big hit.
Rox manager Bud Black came out to the mound to stave off the impending disaster. He replaced center fielder Randall Grichuk with utility man Garrett Hampson and put him into the infield, knowing that any hit to the outfield would probably end the game. Betts stepped in to face five infielders, three to the pull side, and two on the left side of the diamond.
The Rockies were looking for a ground ball hit right at somebody, who could then fire to home for a force out. They got a ground ball all right, but lawdy, what a ground ball it was. Betts took a hack at a 1-0 sinker and beat it into the ground in front of the plate. The ball bounced high over reliever Daniel Bard‘s head and into the melange of infielders behind him. Nobody could quite come up with the ball cleanly, and Bellinger scooted home. Mookie Betts was the proud owner of one of the least impressive walk off hits in baseball history. Betts teammates mobbed him at home, and Betts could only give a sheepish green. What a way to end a ball game!
Bring on the Cubbies!
With the sweep of the Rockies, the Dodgers are now 6-1 on this homestand. Plus, with the Padres suddenly struggling a bit, they have extended their lead in the NL West to a somewhat comfortable six games. They try to keep their July momentum going with another home series, this one against the Chicago Cubs. The Northsiders have been struggling all season, but have been playing good baseball for the last couple of weeks, so the Dodgers had better not take the foot off the gas. This is the time to bury the other divisional foes. No mercy!
Cans of Corn…
- Wednesday’s game was exactly the midpoint of the season. With 81 games down, the Dodgers are 52-29, on a pace to win 102. Which is pretty good considering we all believe that the team’s not even playing their best baseball yet.
- Lots of good things from the bottom of the lineup in this one: Bellinger, 3-for-4, Lux, 2-for-3, and a walk and a HBP from the nine hole (Barnes and Smith).
- CT3 headed to IL. Indefinite time for return. Bummer.
- Zach McKinstry takes Taylor roster spot.
- The way the pitching is lining up, Tony Gonsolin will be on full rest on All Star Game night.
- You hate to say it after such a nice performance, but is Mitch White trade bait for a high-end reliever? It wouldn’t be the craziest idea in the world.
e
