Rockies fall to Dodgers in extra innings to open final homestand of season

On the past nighttime of summertime astatine Coors Field, with a lively assemblage divided evenly betwixt purple and blue, the Rockies went up by 2 runs implicit the NL West-contending Dodgers.

But Los Angeles emerged with a 5-4 triumph successful 10 innings.

Colorado was incapable to nutrient clutch hits — 4-of-20 with runners successful scoring presumption — portion person Jhoulys Chacin gave up L.A.’s game-winning tally connected an Albert Pujols RBI single. The Rockies (70-80) proceed their last homestand Wednesday successful a 2nd matchup of a three-game bid against the Dodgers.

Colorado’s bullpen operation of Robert Stephenson, Tyler Kinley and Carlos Estevez was spectacular Tuesday with nary runs allowed connected conscionable 1 hit. The Rockies besides had an accidental to spell up successful the seventh and ninth with nary outs and a runner connected second. They ne'er came through.

But Pujols enactment the crippled distant with a second-pitch RBI infield azygous disconnected Chacin that scored the Dodgers’ designated runner successful the 10th.

The nighttime began with a pitching duel. Starters Antonio Senzatela and Julio Urias combined to discontinue a agelong of 23 consecutive batters to support the crippled scoreless done 3 innings.

Garrett Hampson broke done for Colorado successful the 4th with a leadoff single. He came location erstwhile Charlie Blackmon smacked a two-out RBI treble disconnected the partition successful right. C.J. Cron followed it up with his ain RBI treble to enactment the Rockies up 2-0.

But Senzatela ran into occupation erstwhile helium gave up two-out singles successful the 5th to Gavin Lux and Luke Raley. A Urias RBI azygous brought L.A. to wrong 1 run. Then Mookie Betts reached basal connected an infield azygous that tied the game.

Ryan McMahon ripped a treble to heavy near to pb disconnected the fifth. He precocious to 3rd connected a called balk connected Urias. But Ryan Vilade grounded out, Senzatela struck retired swinging and Hampson flied retired to extremity the frame. It came backmost to wound Colorado the adjacent inning erstwhile a Max Muncy RBI treble enactment the Rockies into a one-run hole. Los Angeles bolstered its lead, 4-2, connected a Will Smith sacrifice alert that scored Muncy.

Colorado fired backmost successful the sixth with two-out RBI doubles from C.J. Cron and Elias Diaz to necktie the game.

Senzatela ended his spectacular agelong of prime outings successful 7 consecutive starts dating backmost to Aug. 11. He finished the nighttime with 4 earned runs connected 7 hits implicit six innings. He issued zero walks and 3 strikeouts.

Lambert determination looming. Starting right-handed pitcher Peter Lambert is nearing his MLB instrumentality since enduring Tommy John Surgery earlier the 2020 season. Lambert threw a bullpen league Tuesday.

“I’m going to cheque with Peter and the pitching coaches to spot however helium did and however helium feels tomorrow. The adjacent measurement volition beryllium for him to propulsion a crippled astir apt aboriginal successful the week. Either present with america oregon successful Triple-A,” manager Bud Black said. “I privation to spot however helium feels physically. I privation to cognize his affectional authorities coming backmost from each these insignificant league rehab assignments and whether he’s acceptable to transportation successful the large leagues.”

Joe improbable to return. Injured archetypal baseman Connor Joe (strained close hamstring) was hopeful to instrumentality by the extremity of this season. However, the Rockies are present little optimistic.

“Connor is doing conscionable OK. It’s going to beryllium truly adjacent present to the decorativeness enactment whether helium makes it (back this season) oregon not,” Black said. “I spoke with him today. We’re astir apt going to marque that determination successful a time oregon 2 to spot wherever helium is physically. But, rather honestly, it’s not looking excessively bully for Connor.

“The hamstring is inactive sore and whether it makes consciousness to propulsion it oregon not is the question. The reply is astir apt not.”

On Deck

Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler (14-4, 2.39 ERA) astatine Rockies RHP German Marquez (12-10, 4.16)
6:40 p.m. Wednesday, Coors Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 630 AM/94.1 FM

Marquez is acceptable to marque his 31st commencement of the play and his 2nd against the Dodgers. The right-hander faced LA connected Opening Day and allowed 1 tally connected six hits (with six walks) implicit 4 innings. Marquez has been phenomenal astatine Coors Field with an 8-2 grounds and a 3.16 ERA successful 16 location starts. He did not origin into the Rockies’ 9-8 triumph past Friday astatine the Nationals. Marquez struggled, giving up six runs connected 8 hits with 2 walks implicit 4 innings. Meanwhile, Buehler is simply a legit NL Cy Young campaigner with top-three marks successful the league for triumph percent (.778), ERA (2.39) and WHIP (0.96). But he’s besides rebounding from a mediocre start. Buehler took a nonaccomplishment astatine the Reds connected Friday with 3 earned runs connected six hits implicit six innings.

Trending: Entering Tuesday night, the Rockies person produced a squad ERA of 4.63 successful games played astatine Coors Field. That presently ranks fifth-best successful franchise history.

At issue: Colorado began its last homestand Tuesday nighttime aft a 7-2 roadworthy travel to the Phillies (3-1), Braves (2-0) and Nationals (2-1). It marked the team’s archetypal winning roadworthy travel of the season.

Pitching probables

Thursday: Dodgers RHP Max Scherzer (14-4, 2.08) astatine Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (6-8, 4.50), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Friday: Giants RHP Anthony DeSclafani (12-7, 3.23) astatine Rockies TBD, 6:10 p.m., ATTRM
Saturday: Giants RHP Dominic Leone (3-4, 1.72) astatine Rockies TBD 6:10 p.m., ATTRM