Rockies 4, Dodgers 3: Walk off walk gives Colorado the series win

The Rockies and Dodgers played another tight one on Sunday afternoon. True to form in this four game set, the game was decided in the seventh inning or later as Chris Iannetta drew a bases loaded walk with two-outs in the ninth to win the game 4-3. The Dodgers tied the game at three in the top of the eighth on a sac fly from Matt Kemp. With the win the Rockies have a three-game winning streak and a series win against the Dodgers, who they are chasing for a playoff spot.

Bullpen strikes again

Chad Bettis, the weakest link in the rotation during their recent run of dominance, had a great outing. But the bullpen couldn’t hold it. Scott Oberg allowed two inherited runners to score in the seventh to make it 3-2 and Adam Ottavino allowed leadoff singles in the eighth, though managed to hold the Dodgers to just a game tying sac fly. Wade Davis made it interesting in the ninth, allowing a walk and two stolen bases before getting pinch hitter Joc Pedersen to ground out.

In the series, the Rockies bullpen allowed nine runs in 11 innings pitched. Fortunately for the Rockies, the Dodgers bullpen allowed 10 runs in 10 innings on their own.

Chettis Status: Good

After a not-so-stellar outing last time out, Chad Bettis performed much better on Sunday afternoon. After allowing leadoff single in the first he retired 10 straight Dodgers. He worked around traffic the next three innings but allowed no runs. He was pulled after a one-out walk to Yasmani Grandal in the seventh, who came around to score when Scot Oberg allowed a two RBI single to Brian Dozier. Bettis’s final line was 6 ¹⁄₃ IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 5 BB, and 3 K.

In the four game set, Tyler Anderson, Jon Gray, Kyle Freeland, and Bettis combined to allow eight runs in 25 innings, good for a 2.88 ERA.

Unconventional Scoring

The Rockies were no-hit through three innings but they had a 1-0 lead. In the first inning Charlie Blackmon reached on a missed pop up error by Chris Taylor, advanced to second on a ground ball, moved to third on a ground ball, and scored on a Trevor Story fly ball.

As entertaining as it would’ve been for that to hold up, DJ LeMahieu led off the fourth with a double and came around to score on a David Dahl single—when Yasiel Puig’s throw home nailed DJ in the helmet and caromed into the dugout.

Finally, a walk off walk secured the win. It’s not how, it’s how many!

Nolan sits again

Nolan Arenado was a game time decision on Sunday after being reduced to pinch-hitting duties in Saturday night’s game. He grounded out for Adam Ottavino in the eighth. He tweaked a shoulder injury in Friday night’s game but, with the off day tomorrow and an AL ballpark coming up, he may not need to play the field until Thursday in Atlanta, amounting to nearly a full week of rest. Pat Valaika went 0-for-2 in his stead before Gerardo Parra replaced him in the seventh.

Up Next

The Rockies have a day off on Monday before embarking on a six-day road trip beginning in Houston on Tuesday night. Germán Márquez gets the start opposite Justin Verlander. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm MT.