DENVER — When the Dodgers arrived in Colorado on Sunday night time that they had a golden alternative to pad their slender division lead in opposition to with the worst staff within the majors. The most effective they may do was maintain serve, needing Thursday’s 9-5 win over the Rockies to earn a break up of the four-game sequence.
Now they head to San Diego for a vital three-game sequence in opposition to the Padres with the division lead as soon as once more up for grabs.
“I want we had received all 4, however it simply didn’t occur,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated. “That’s simply the best way baseball is. So we’ve obtained to go on the market and whatever the standings, we’ve obtained to beat these guys.”
The standings, nonetheless, loom massive. On July 7, the Dodgers led the division by six video games. The margin is now only a recreation.
The Padres, who’ve received 12 of 19 video games in August, are the third-hottest staff within the Nationwide League this month. The Dodgers are a recreation over .500.
“It’s what it’s,” Roberts stated. “It’s the place we’re at proper now and I can’t change it. I be ok with our membership going into San Diego.”
His membership can have a little bit of momentum on its aspect after scoring 20 runs on 30 hits within the two wins at Coors Discipline. Thursday’s matinee noticed 4 gamers end with a number of hits, together with third baseman Alex Freeland, who was a career-best three for 5 with a run scored and one other pushed in. Freeland had six hits within the remaining three video games in Denver.
“It’s identical to I’m constructing confidence now,” stated Freeland, who entered Thursday hitting .180 since his call-up from triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis three weeks in the past. “I’ve sort of spent a bit time right here now and I’m getting comfy.”
The Dodgers additionally obtained a fourth straight robust effort from starter Clayton Kershaw (8-2), who gave up three runs in 5⅔ innings. Kershaw has allowed simply 5 runs over 23 2/3 innings this month, dropping his season ERA practically 50 factors to three.13.
That was additionally adequate to maintain his staff in first, one thing he famous afterward.
Followers applaud as Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw heads to the dugout after being pulled from the mound within the sixth inning Thursday.
(David Zalubowski / Related Press)
“You’ll be able to’t take something as a right in Colorado, clearly,” he stated. “However on the finish of the day, we’re [one] up getting into [to San Diego]. So we be ok with it.”
Freeland agreed.
“We positively may have produced extra. However you recognize what? We’re going to take this one at the moment and take this momentum and produce it into San Diego,” he stated.
After Kershaw received the opener of a three-game sequence with the Padres at Dodger Stadium per week in the past, the groups had been even atop the N.L. The Dodgers wound up sweeping that sequence and have received eight of 10 with the Padres total this 12 months.
“We’ve performed properly in opposition to these guys this 12 months,” Roberts stated. “They’re going to provide us all the things they’ve this weekend.”
The Dodgers obtained began early Thursday with Mookie Betts, who reached base 4 instances, opening the sport by strolling on 5 pitches. Freddie Freeman adopted with a two-run residence run, his sixteenth of the season, to heart subject.
The Rockies minimize the lead in half within the backside of the inning on a popup that obtained misplaced within the solar, a sacrifice bunt, a balk and an RBI groundout. However they might get no nearer, with the Dodgers scoring in every of the primary 5 innings to take an 8-2 lead.
Freeland had his first profession triple together with a double and single, falling a homer shy of the cycle. He had six hits within the remaining three video games in Denver. Betts completed two for 3 with two walks and two runs scoring whereas Freeman, who was two for 5, raised his season common to .304 and is hitting .328 for August.
Shohei Ohtani feeling nice
Roberts stated pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is okay after taking a line drive off his proper thigh in Wednesday’s recreation. Ohtani was scheduled to have Thursday off and Roberts stated he’ll be again within the lineup Friday.
Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates set to return
The Dodgers will activate reliever Tanner Scott earlier than Friday’s recreation in San Diego and reliever Kirby Yates on Saturday. Scott has been out a month with irritation in his left elbow whereas Yates has missed three weeks with decrease again ache.
Roki Sasaki making progress
Proper-hander Roki Sasaki made progress in his second rehab begin Wednesday, going 3⅓ innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits. He walked three and struck out two earlier than leaving after 60 pitches. He’ll make one other rehab begin subsequent week earlier than the Dodgers make any choice on his function in September. The staff had talked about utilizing Sasaki in a reduction function.
