Rockies 3, Dodgers 1: Josh Rutledge Leads Rockies to Series Win at Dodger Stadium

You just cannot predict baseball. In a year in which the Colorado Rockies are on pace to field their worst pitching staff ever, they just went ahead and held Los Angeles to one run on four hits in a game started by a pitcher with a 6.16 ERA. That means Colorado has allowed just one run in two games to the Dodgers, who were in first place prior to this series. Oh, and Colorado allowed 35 runs over the weekend to the Giants.

The win also gave the Rockies their first series win at Dodger Stadium since September 17-19, 2010, which I outlined in the game preview as a very different time for the organization.

Alex White followed Drew Pomeranz' inefficient yet effective outing to startlingly comparable results. Both pitchers were forced out of the game after just four innings despite keeping the Dodgers off the scoreboard thanks to wildness pushing their pitch counts into the 80s. Whereas Pomeranz' pitch count was in part driven up from seven strikeouts, Alex White was just wild.

The right-hander walked five in his four episodes on the mound and threw two wild pitches, barely throwing half his pitches for strikes (42 of 80). Josh Roenicke pirated the win with three scoreless frames in relief.

Josh Rutledge continues to mount a convincing yet futile Rookie of the Year campaign. After a day off yesterday, Rutledge introduced himself to Dodgers fans in a big way. The Rockies shortstop drove in all three runs on the strength of three doubles and a single, a significant accomplishment.

Carlos Gonzalez has never had a three-double game. Neither has Troy Tulowitzki. Mr. Double himself, Todd Helton (who ranks 22nd all-time in doubles) has just two three-double games to his name, both in 2000. Incidentally, Jeff Cirillo also had two three-double games that year.

Eric Young Jr. has taken advantage the injuries to Todd Helton and Michael Cuddyer, posting consecutive three-hit games on the road from the leadoff spot. The second baseman center fielder right fielder singled in his first three at-bats and also walked to score two runs.

Source: FanGraphs

WPA Heroes

Josh Rutledge (+.410): 4-for-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI,
Alex White (+.200): 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 2 K.
Josh Roenicke (+.198): 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K, 1 BB.

WPA Zeroes

Jordan Pacheco (-.269): 0-for-3, 8 LOB. Yes...EIGHT.
Ramon Hernandez (-.150): 0-for-5, 7 LOB.
Tyler Colving (-.061): 0-for-4, 1 K.

Row Call

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