The Dodger bats continued their onslaught on Friday afternoon during their 10-6 win over the Rockies spoiling Colorado’s home opener at Coors Field. The Dodger bats bludgeoned opposing starter Tyler Anderson as the southpaw allowed six earned runs on nine hits over four innings taking the loss. The Dodgers scored ten runs on thirteen hits and smacked three more home runs (Cody Bellinger, Russell Martin, Max Muncy) en route to another victory. The boys in blue have now hit 21 home runs and improve to 6-2 on the young season.
The lineup looks locked in. The Dodgers scored one in the third, fourth and four runs in the fifth. They added one in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Max Muncy hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth to put the Dodgers ahead 2-1. Cody Bellinger continued his power barrage with a line drive three-run shot in the top of the sixth that put the Dodgers ahead 6-1. Catcher Russell Martin hit his first home run of the season and first home run as a Dodger since the 2010 season, a solo home run in the top of the sixth. Muncy tripled in two and even Maeda doubled during the Dodger’s hitting brigade.
Speaking of Maeda, he pitched well, but had to pitch in and out of trouble throughout the game. Maeda allowed one earned run on four hits over five innings but also walked four while striking out four. He earned his second win of the season and lowered his ERA to 3.09.
Dodgers 10 13 1
Rockies 6 10 1
WP-Maeda-2-0
LP-Anderson-0-2
HR-Bellinger-6-Muncy-2-Martin-1-Dahl-1-Story-2-3
It wasn’t all smiles, there were some tears later in the game as the backend of the bullpen struggled again. Dylan Floro tossed a scoreless sixth inning. But Brock Stewart, Yimi Garcia, and Joe Kelly gave up a bunch of runs again. Stewart who entered the game in the seventh, allowed three earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning. That included a two-run home run to Trevor Story. The Colorado shortstop hit two dingers today, adding a solo shot in the ninth inning off of Yimi Garcia.
Getting back to Kelly, he replaced Pedro Baez in the top of the ninth with the Dodgers leading 10-4. Charlie Blackmon’s line drive bounced off of his pitching arm. Kelly recorded the out, but left the game. X-rays were negative thankfully, but that’s the last thing poor Joe needs at this point after his pitching problems over the first week of the season. Yimi Garcia entered the game with one out in the ninth and continued his suckfest, allowing home runs to David Dahl and Story before finally striking out Ryan McMahon for the last out.
The series continues on Saturday night as Walker Buehler counters Jon Gray with first pitch scheduled for 5: 10 PM PST.
It’s Coors Field, but lots of lefty hits today against a lefty. That will hopefully balance out some of the platoon split stats. But no help for Joc. He sat again – that’s 4 games in a row.
Maeda was a bit shaky, but who isn’t in Denver. Kenta pitched a gutsy 5 innings and earned his second win. He just threw too many pitches, with 4 walks, and 4 hits. Boy, is this bullpen scary. Poor Brock Stewart just cannot get it together, and Garcia could barely close the door. Who knows what would have happened if Kelly did not get knocked out with that comebacker.
If not for the potent offense and plenty of insurance runs, this game would have been lost in the thin Colorado air. Could have been a real blowout, but they blew a lot of scoring opportunities (4-13 RISP, 8 LOB)
Seems that all that sitting on the bench has definitely taken a toll on Pederson. He has cooled off offensively, and is definitely frustrated. Dodgers will be facing righthanders the next two games, so maybe we will see Pederson start, but it may be too late. Good to see Muncy have a great game offensively and defensively.
In Joc’s defense he made one hell of a throw to get an outfield assist. He will get starts here soon. Bettis is starting Sunday’s tiff. The weather will be a factor in the night games as the temps are going to be in the low 40’s. Kelly was lucky and did not contribute to the BP’s meltdown. But I do not know how much longer they can keep running Garcia and Stewart out there. Stewart will be gone when CK comes back. Bank on that. Garcia most likely candidate for the waiver wire when Dick Mountain comes back.
Interesting read at ESPN.
If Friedman retired and Dodgers were unable to make another move (additive) in his wake, how long would the team he (Friedman) has constructed stay atop the NL West?
The answer, according to the projection model used by ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle, is three more years, through 2021
MLB.com ranked the top 10 minor league teams. The Tulsa Drillers notched the No. 2 spot on the list.
https://www.mlb.com/news/10-most-talented-teams-in-the-minor-leagues
Old friend Grandal hit a dinger last night.
My post just disappeared?!?!?!!??!?
Sorry Bluto,
Spam filter glitched out again. I pushed it through.
Interesting read at ESPN.
If Friedman retired and Dodgers were unable to make another move (additive) in his wake, how long would the team he (Friedman) has constructed stay atop the NL West?
The answer, according to the projection model used by ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle, is three more years, through 2021.
MLB.com ranked the top 10 minor league teams. The Tulsa Drillers notched the No. 2 spot on the list.
https://www.mlb.com/news/10-most-talented-teams-in-the-minor-leagues
Old friend and streak-hitting master Grandal hit a dinger.
And Grandy is still not doing a whole lot. I’m really excited to see Barnes hot and Martin provide that leadership, framing, defense and, so far, pretty good offense.
Cincy has the worst offense in the NL, and Puig has done pretty much nothing and Kemp less than nothing. I”m so glad the Dodgers have Pollock instead. He’s a grinder, the guy who plays the heads up game that ultimately wins games. The Dodgers were always pretty high on Downs, too, so to be able to pick him was a bonus.
Mike Trout has passed Tony Gwynn, Dwight Evans and Edgar Martinez in WAR since the season started. Could pass Bench, Jeter, Reggie, Carew, Murray, Pudge (both of them), Molitor, Raines, Manny, McGwire, Killebrew, Biggio, and many more this season.
He’s 27.