The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to get much going for them on offense against the Colorado Rockies, dropping the game, 6-3, and setting up the Sunday rubber match.
Walker Buehler was back on the mound looking to build momentum from his last outing as he tries to make his case for a postseason rotation spot. However, he didn’t get off to an ideal start.
Charlie Blackmon led off the game with a double and Ezequiel Tovar walked before a wild pitch moved them into scoring position. Michael Toglia then hit a grounder back to Buehler, but he was unable to make a clean throw home, allowing the first run of the game to score.
Buehler ended up stranding the runners to escape the inning, but the Rockies added on in the second. Nolan Jones singled and Jacob Stallings was hit by a pitch to set up a two-run double for Tovar, giving the Rockies a 3-0 lead.
The right-hander went on to retire the next nine batters he faced, including striking out the side in the third inning. But with one out in the fourth, Ryan McMahon ended that stretch with a solo home run.
Buehler ended up pitching into the sixth inning, exiting with one out after allowing a single. He finished his day going 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with nine strikeouts to one walk.
The swing and miss stuff was encouraging from Buehler, and after his slow start, he settled in well. Still, it was another mixed bag as he continues searching for consistency.
The Dodgers scored their first runs in the third inning when Shohei Ohtani walked and Mookie Betts followed with a two-run homer that made it a 3-2 game. They tied it up in the fourth, 3-3, when Hunter Feduccia singled with two outs and runners at the corners.
That was Feduccia’s first career RBI. Unfortunately, McMahon’s homer in the next inning gave the Rockies their lead back, 4-3.
The Rockies added on in the ninth with a two-run homer from Blackmon, following a double from Jake Cave.
The Dodgers loaded the bases in the ninth inning with two outs, but they were unable to capitalize on that.
Mookie Betts honored as Dodgers Roberto Clemente Award nominee
Prior to the game, Betts was honored and presented with his trophy as the Dodgers’ nominee for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award, which is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Each team nominates one player to be considered for the league-wide winner of the award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character. MLB’s overall Roberto Clemente Award winner will be announced during the World Series.
Fans can vote for the Roberto Clemente Award via MLBTogether.com/clementeaward (in both English and Spanish).
