The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't have a cakewalk against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night, but they were able to get the win.
In recent seasons, when the Colorado Rockies found themselves down late in a game, there might not be much fight from the team. This season's team, though, has shown a knack for playing hard all the way until the final out.
On Tuesday night at Coors Field, the Los Angeles Dodgers survived a late Colorado rally and gathered a 7-6 win over the Rockies. The Dodgers are in position to capture a series sweep when Roki Sasaki takes the mound for manager Dave Roberts on Wednesday.
Los Angeles entered the bottom of the ninth with a 7-5 lead and Tanner Scott on the mound in relief of starter Eric Lauer. Scott was able to earn a four-out save, his 17th save this season. Lauer got the win and goes to 8-6 overall. He worked five innings, giving up six hits, four earned runs, walked one, struck out six, and gave up one home run.
Ohtani hits 30th home run
Oh, in case you missed it, Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani hit his 30th home run this season, a two-run blast in the third inning.
Now, let's get to the late-inning antics from the fighting Rockies.
With one out, Jake McCarthy smashed a double down the right-field line and sat at second base. Cole Carrigg followed McCarthy to the plate. Scott, whom manager Dave Roberts put into the closer's role with Edwin Díaz going on the Injured List, was on the mound.
Carrigg put together a heck of an at-bat against Scott, fouling off a number of pitches. In these situations, Carrigg has shown a knack at times this season for coming through in the clutch. Carrigg hit a smash down the third-base line, but Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy made a great pick and threw Carrigg out at first base.
Clutch Castro delivers
Willi Castro came up with two outs and a runner at second in the bottom of the ninth inning. He singled to left field and McCarthy scored, tightening things up to 7-6 Los Angeles. Castro didn't waste too much time at the plate, getting a four-seam fastball and pulling it into the hole between shortstop and third base.
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior came out and talked with Scott, catcher Ben Rortvedt, and shortstop Mookie Betts on the mound.
TJ Rumfield came up to face Scott. Rumfield, though, popped out to Betts and that gave the Dodgers a really close win.
Give the Rockies credit as they fought the National League West Division leaders all the way until the final out.
Rockies starter Ryan Feltner worked five innings, giving up eight hits, seven earned runs, walked three, struck out three, and gave up a home run. Parker Mushinski, Jimmy Herget, Zach Agnos, and Jordan Romano followed Feltner to the mound. Feltner took the loss on Tuesday night.
Carrigg and Connor Norby had doubles for Colorado, and Castro hit his 14th homer run this season. Carrigg, Castro, Norby, Rumfield, and Zac Veen had RBIs in pacing the Rockies' offense.
