Rockies hurlers struggle in 7-3 loss to Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to stretch a slim one-run lead to a comfortable four-run advantage in a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday.

The Rockies entered the pivotal frame down just 4-3 before the Dodgers plated three runs -- all off of relief prospect Carlos Estevez -- with two outs. Estevez allowed two singles and a walk before uncorking a wild pitch that bounced off of the mask of home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski and allowed two runs to score. Estevez was charged with three earned runs, raising his spring ERA to 12.46.

Chad Bettis started for the Rockies and allowed two runs on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out two batters in an up and down outing. Christian Bergman followed and surrendered two runs -- just one earned -- on two hits and a walk in three innings of work. He notched three strikeouts.

Nolan Arenado had two hits, including a double, and knocked in a run. The star third baseman is hitting .593 (16-for-27) with a 1.512 OPS in Cactus League play.

Non-roster Noel Cuevas added two hits and is now 6-for-9 in limited action this spring. Gerardo Parra, Ben Paulsen and Tony Wolters had the Rockies' other three hits.

The Rockies will be back at Salt River Fields on Thursday at 2:10 p.m. MT to take on the Los Angeles Angels. Jeff Hoffman will make his first start of the spring, taking the mound opposite Hector Santiago. The game will be televised on MLB Network