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The Sim Rockies’ hitters showed up on Wednesday in a much-needed classic Coors Field offensive explosion to beat the Sim Dodgers 10-3. Charlie Blackmon and Ian Desmond both homered, Garrett Hampson and Chris Owings both chipped in two-RBI hits, and the Rockies (22-32) got their first win of this series against L.A.
Hits with runners on base
This is something that the Rockies have been struggling with this season, but not on Wednesday. Blackmon and Desmond both hit two-run homers in the first inning to help the Rockies take a 4-1 lead. It was Blackmon’s 12th homer of the year and Desmond’s seventh. Ryan McMahon chipped in an RBI single to score Blackmon in the third to increase Colorado’s lead to 5-2. In the eighth inning, Elias Díaz reached on a fielding error by shortstop Corey Seager, bringing home Blackmon. The Rockies were further able to capitalize on the error when Hampson doubled to left field to score Nolan Arenado and Desmond. By this time, the Rockies had a nice lead of 8-3, which still isn’t safe at Coors Field. Owings, knowing the importance of a touchdown’s worth of insurance runs, then hit a two-run pinch-hit single to score Díaz and Hampson. That finalized the win and the football score of 10-3. Blackmon finished the day going 3-for-4 with two RBI, three runs scored, and is batting .300 on the season. Arenado, batting a team-high .328, finished with two hits and two runs scored.
Teamwork on the mound equals success
Antonio Senzatela didn’t make it very long, only pitching into the fifth inning, but Jeff Hoffman, Carols Estévez, and Jake McGee all pitched very well as the foursome held the mighty Dodgers to three runs on 12 hits. Senzatela gave up an RBI double in the first inning as L.A. jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Kiké Hernández hit an RBI single for another run in the second, but then Senzatela settled in. He finished the game giving up two runs on six hits, three walks and one strikeout in 4 1/3 innings. He is 1-3 on the season with a 5.32 ERA. Hoffman pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out two, while also improving to 4-0 on the season. In the eighth, Estévez surrendered a double to Justin Turner that scored Max Muncy to cut the Rockies’ lead to 5-3. He was able to escape the inning without more drama and McGee finished things off in the ninth, but not without drama, after giving up two hits, a walk, and also being hit by a line drive. Luckily, he wasn’t injured, nor did he give up any runs.
It’s always great to beat the Dodgers
The Dodgers actually out hit the Rockies 12-11 and every Dodger position player got at least one hit. But, the Rockies were able to take advantage of their hits by stringing them together. Even better, the Rockies defeated David Price, dropping his record to 2-3 on the season and putting his ERA above 3 at 3.06. He lasted five innings, giving up five runs on seven hits with one walk and one strikeout. It turns out that five runs would have been enough for the win, but the Rockies added more by hammering Scott Alexander in the eighth. In just 2/3 of an inning, the Rockies plated five runs, only three of which were earned, on three hits and one walk.
Up Next
The Sim Rockies will host the Dodgers in the series finale, hoping for a split as Ryan Castellani looks for his first win and Alex Wood (2-3, 6.00) will be on the mound for L.A. There won’t be a broadcast, but we’ll have a recap right here on Purple Row.