The Colorado Rockies spent a lot of Tuesday night’s game holding the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers offense quiet. And then the Dodgers did what they do, hit some home runs, and held off a Colorado rally in the ninth inning to win 5-3.
Russell Martin, Rockies killer
The veteran catcher is a role player these days. He’s not the offensive threat he once was - except when he faces the Rockies. Then he’s a great hitter, apparently, as he hit another home run against Colorado in this one, specifically a three-run shot to give the Dodgers the lead in the seventh inning.
That’s six home runs on the season for Martin. Three of them have come against the Rockies.
THE VETS LEAD THE WAY. pic.twitter.com/2NoxKkikeM
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 4, 2019
Of course it was Bryan Shaw
That might be what you muttered to yourself as you watched this game get away from the Rockies, because of course it was Bryan Shaw. Martin’s shot was the first of two home runs allowed by Shaw as he failed to protect the lead in a key spot. As has been his way much of this season, Shaw threw a few really good cutters and then some really bad ones. The Dodgers are too good not to make him pay for the bad ones.
Wade Davis also pitched in this game, and he also gave up a home run, his to Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner. His season ERA sits at 7.02.
JT, JT, JT! pic.twitter.com/ttAXe3MaZo
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 4, 2019
In a manner befitting the 2019 season, seven of the eight runs scored in this one came via the home run. And in a game decided by home runs, the Dodgers came out on top.
Chi Chi González did what?
The excitement in this game for the Rockies is easy to sum up: Daniel Murphy and Nolan Arenado both hit home runs, there was almost a comeback in the final inning against Kenley Jansen, and González looked like he was going to throw an improbable shutout for a while there.
Unfortunately González’s night was marred by the aforementioned Dodgers rally, but he pitched awfully well as he worked into the seventh inning. He gave up three hits and made things challenging for himself with three walks, but he was able to keep runs off the board. Baseball is weird, and it was almost really weird in this game.
Looking ahead
The Rockies wrap up this series against the Dodgers on Wednesday with Antonio Senzatela starting against Hyun-Jin Ryu.