The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped their third consecutive game to the Colorado Rockies Friday night 9-6. The Dodgers could not close the door on the Rockies, allowing them to creep back in the game as it progressed.
Los Angeles came out to a flying start, scoring three runs in the first inning, while the Rockies struggled to get on the scoreboard. Colorado steadily chipped away at the lead throughout the game, getting a run in the sixth and the eighth inning.
After the Rockies gained the lead late in the game, both teams scored in the ninth to send the game to extra innings. A wild pitch by Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Baird left the door open for the Dodgers to send the game to extra innings before the Rockies’ first at-bats in the 10th inning.
Trevor Story hit a double which sent Garrett Hampson home to take the lead. This was followed by a home run hit by Charlie Blackmon to essentially put this game on ice as the Dodgers failed to even get on base to close the game.
“We’ve gotten out to some early leads, but we need to find ways to keep them,” Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said. “We have got to find ways as an offense to keep the lead and do the little things defensively to protect the lead.”
Turner’s energy was felt throughout the game as he had two RBI’s and a home run in a disappointing loss.
Cody Bellinger hit a triple deep into right field before leaving the game with left hamstring tightness. He remains day to day and is questionable for Saturday’s game. Right fielder Mookie Betts also missed the game with hip inflammation as the Dodgers could have used both of their help to close out the game.
“It’s certainly not ideal,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “To lose them late is tough as we had a chance to win the game. Guys have to step up.”
The Dodgers also took time during the game to honor Sergeant Richard Lee Sung, a decorated United States Marine Corps veteran awarded the Purple Heart for his time in the Korean War. Sung is a former actor, appearing in shows such as Happy Days and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
What looked to be an easy night for the Dodgers turned into another night with Los Angeles dropping the ball. This was the first of three meetings with the Rockies for the Dodgers this weekend, and the Dodgers will look to have a better outcome in the next one.
