Dodgers 3, Rockies 2: Perchance to dream

The Rockies miss their chance to win a second road series

The Colorado Rockies had a chance to win a series not only against the dreaded Los Angeles Dodgers, but on the road as well. Unfortunately that dream never came to fruition as the Rockies fell in a close 3-2 contest. The Rockies led or were tied with the Dodgers for the majority of the game, but a late-inning solo home run from the Dodgers slammed the door shut.

Gray solid but not sharp

In what might have been his final start for the Rockies, Jon Gray wasn’t his normal self compared to his last few outings. He struggled with command and efficiency, throwing 106 pitches in five innings of work and walking three batters. He struck out only four batters and many worked deep counts against him. Gray only gave up two runs on four hits, and both hits were solo home runs from thorn Chris Taylor.

Both of Taylor’s home runs tied the game when the Rockies had been in the lead. Big Jon, however, did last longer than any of the other starting pitchers named Gray this afternoon, making him the superior Gray of the day.

Anemic Rockies offense fails to get it done

The Rockies jumped on the board early with runs in both the first and second inning, including an Elias Díaz solo home run. They failed to score a single run after that, going a rough 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and failing to capitalize on opportunities to score. The Rockies had the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning after Dodgers starter Josiah Gray walked two and intentionally walked one with only one out. Joshua Fuentes and Jon Gray both struck out on three pitches to end the inning.

Down a run in the top of the ninth inning, CJ Cron reached on a leadoff single only to be left stranded at second as the next three batters got set down in order. Elias Díaz and Joshua Fuentes grounded out on first pitches, and Sam Hilliard was called out on a questionable strike three.

One mistake ruins the bullpen’s day

The Rockies bullpen was mostly excellent this afternoon in relief of Jon Gray. Lucas Gilbreath, fresh after his first career save on Friday, threw a scoreless frame with a strikeout. Tyler Kinley worked a scoreless seventh inning with a strikeout, giving up only one hit.

The damage came in the eighth inning when Carlos Estévez took the mound. Estévez has had some rough outings in 2021, but had only given up five home runs through 33 ¹⁄₃ innings coming into today. On his first pitch, a fastball in the top of the zone, Will Smith took him deep. Sam Hilliard tried to climb the wall, but wasn’t able to come up with the out as the losing run went sailing into the stands.

Coming up next

The Rockies are hopping on a bus to Anaheim to kick off a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels. Staff ace Germán Márquez will pitch for the Rockies against his fellow All-Star and two-way superster Shohei Ohtani. First pitch will be at 7:38 PM MDT.