Dodgers 4, Rockies 2: Offense unable to keep up with LA

The first road trip of the 2021 season has not been kind to the Colorado Rockies. After losing tonight’s game 4-3 to the Dodgers, the Rockies have now lost five straight, all being on the road. Overall, the Rockies are now 3-9 and hold the worst record in the MLB.

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their recent dominance of the Rockies (27-8 since 2019) and are now 10-2, the best record in the MLB.

Runs?! But not enough

After 26 very long innings, the Colorado Rockies managed to score not just one but TWO runs. That’s right the Rockies manufactured runs in the fifth inning and forced Dustin May out of the game when Yonathan Daza got himself a one out pinch hit single and Garrett Hampson followed up with his signature bunt single. Raimel Tapia worked the count for a walk and Trevor Story came up with a clutch RBI single to finally break the streak that went all the way back to Saturday afternoon in San Francisco.

The run was a nice change of pace and Charlie Blackmon brought home another run on a fielders choice. However, that was all the offense firepower the Rockies could muster against the Dodgers. That’s not to say the team didn’t have their chances. Colorado left a total of nine runners on base and was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. If you’ve been following the Rockies closely this season, this is beginning to become a recurring theme.

Bud Black hits the showers early

Early in the game, manager Bud Black was not in agreement with home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi’s strike-zone. The broadcast showed Black letting Cuzzi know how he felt about it on a few different pitches in the first couple innings. Things reached a boiling point in the third when a low pitch was called for a strike against Garrett Hampson. Bud Black made his presence felt by screaming at Cuzzi from the dugout earning himself a rare ejection.

Black has a lot to be frustrated about and it’s not crazy to assume he let out his frustrations on home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. Black could also be trying to find a way to fire up his own team after being held scoreless for 26 consecutive innings.

Rockies unable to dig themselves out of early hole

Jon Gray got himself into some early trouble against a dangerous Dodger lineup. Gray gave up a leadoff single to Mookie Betts, a walk to Corey Seager and then an RBI single from Justin Turner, all before Gray was able to record his first out. After a Max Muncy groundout, Gavin Lux brought Seager home for their second run off of a sacrifice fly.

Gray was able to settle in as the game went on but not before he gave up a solo shot to Justin Turner that ended up in a fans nachos.

Despite the tough opening inning, Gray managed to keep the game close and give his team a chance to win. Unfortunately for him, the offense still seems to be finding their legs away from Coors.

Coming up next

Tomorrow will be the finale of the three game series in Los Angeles. The Rockies will look to salvage a game on this brutal road trip to avoid the second consecutive sweep and snap the five game losing streak. On the mound for the Rockies will be Austin Gomber (0-2, 2.89 ERA) who will look to build off of a solid second start in San Francisco. The Dodgers will have Julio Urías (2-0, 2.84 ERA) on the bump for his third start of the year. Urías faced the Rockies back on April 4th and held the Rockies to one run in seven innings.