The NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-1 on Saturday night thanks to home runs from Will Smith, James Outman, and Amed Rosario and six innings of strong pitching from Tony Gonsolin, who had given up a home run on his first pitch.
The Dodgers triumphed for the 11th time in their last 12 games to extend their winning streak to seven games.
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Ezequiel Tovar of Colorado took the early lead by launching Gonsolin’s opening pitch 427 feet over the center field wall. The remainder of the game saw the Rockies only get two hits. Two of the three hits the Rockies had overall came from Tovar.
“If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that if you get hit in the face, you just keep going,” Gonsolin said.
After allowing the first-pitch home run, Gonsolin (8-4) calmed down and gave up three hits while recording six strikeouts and no walks. The 29-year-old right-hander has had a hit-or-miss season despite being an All-Star and 16-game winner in 2022.
Dave Roberts, the manager of the Dodgers, stated, “I thought he settled in nicely.” “I believed it to be his best performance in a long time. He was confident in every pitch he made. He pounded the strike zone and made pitches when necessary. … It was encouraging to watch Tony pitch there in the manner in which we are accustomed to seeing him pitch.
The Dodgers’ fourth pitcher, Evan Phillips, retired the side in order in the ninth inning to record his 17th save.
The Rockies are in disarray. With the team losing five of its last six games, Colorado’s third through ninth hitters combined to go 0 for 22, dropping the team’s record to 45-72.
With his 15th home run of the year, Smith leveled the score at 1 with a solo shot from 417 feet in the bottom of the first inning. In the second inning, Outman launched a two-run home drive to right field that gave the team the lead (his 14th), then in the seventh inning, Rosario hit his sixth solo home run of the year.
In six innings, Peter Lambert (2-4) gave up seven hits, three earned runs (all on long balls), and three walks.
“I think he did a good job throwing the ball inside, especially to the left-handed hitters,” said Rockies manager Bud Black. “For the majority of the game, his breaking ball was effective. Got one up to Smith for the first home run, but Smith was struck out a few times by another breaking ball. I believe he mixed change-ups and curveballs in with some terrific fastballs thrown low and in the bottom of the zone. fantastic location, fantastic location, good forceful swing.
KNEE-BUCKLING STUFF
In the seventh inning, Freddie Freeman was struck by a pitch on the outside of his right kneecap.
“I feel as though a ball just struck me. That hurt. Had a moment where my leg was a touch unsteady,” Freeman remarked. I took some ice, and I feel fine.
Freeman said that he would not have an X-Ray when asked.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: OF For Triple-A Albuquerque in Round Rock, Charlie Blackmon (fractured right hand) batted second and recorded a hit in his first at-bat of recovery. This was RHP Ryan Feltner’s third bullpen session after being struck by a Nick Castellanos line drive on May 13 (concussion, fractured skull). On Saturday, RHP Chase Anderson threw his first bullpen after suffering from right shoulder soreness.
D-backs: OF Due to illness, Mookie Betts was scratched from the lineup. The Dodgers anticipate having J.D. Martinez (groin) back in the lineup on Tuesday after he completed a full workout on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Rockies: In his last seven starts, LHP Kyle Freeland (4-12, 4.84) is 0-4 with a 5.59 ERA. Tuesday’s final start for Freeland was the Rockies’ last victory. In Milwaukee, he pitched six innings and gave up three earned runs on eight hits.
Dodgers: LHP Julio Urias (9-6, 4.39), who turned 27 on Saturday, is fresh off an outstanding performance in Arizona on Tuesday. In his six innings of work, he allowed just four hits and no runs.