FSM Essential Recap: Dodgers vs Rockies - Series 42

FSM Essential Recap: Dodgers vs Rockies – Series 42

www.FranchiseSportsMedia.com

Los Angeles Dodgers (82-49)  |  Colorado Rockies (60-70)

 

“Listen, if you start worrying about the people in the stands, before too long you’re up in the stands with them.”

– Tommy LaSorda

 

Game 3:

 

When the Dodger highlight is setting a new franchise record in a low-level pitching statistic, you know what kind of game was played at Dodger Stadium this Sunday afternoon.

Justin Turner made his first career appearance on the mound in the top of the ninth inning and he was able to get three outs to become the 26th player to get a game finished this season for the Dodgers. The 2018 Dodgers had 25 players with at least one game finished.

However, that was it for the Dodgers as the Colorado Rockies won 5-0 to take the weekend series and the Dodgers cannot take advantage of the Giants losing to the Braves earlier today. This was only the fifth time this season the Dodgers were shutout.

Antonio Senzatela pitched an efficient seven scoreless innings to keep the punchless Dodgers off the bases and scoreboard. He allowed just two hits and a walk on just 90 pitches.

Mitch White was neither efficient nor dominant for the Dodgers today. He gave up a three-run home run to C.J. Cron in the first inning which meant the Dodgers had not scored first in any of the three games this weekend.

White had gotten behind 2-0 to Cron and with first base open, it was no time to throw a hittable pitch.

 

The score was still 3-0 when Joe Kelly came in to pitch the seventh. Kelly was not sharp as he was responsible for two runs while just getting two outs.

The one chance the Dodgers had to get back in the game was when Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger got singles in the bottom of the fifth. But with runners on first and third and one out, Senzatela struck out Billy McKinney and Austin Barnes then grounded out to end the threat.

Kenley Jansen entered the game in the eighth inning with the Dodgers down by five runs. It was his first time coming into the game with the Dodgers down by that many runs since August 15, 2019. Two notes about that game, Jansen had not pitched since August 10th and the Dodgers had a 19½ game lead in the NL West after that game.

As noted above, Justin Turner became the second position player to pitch for the Dodgers this season. The other one, Andy Burns, made his pitching debut on June 12, 2021.

 

Game 3 Boxscore:

 

WP: Antonio Senzatela (3-9)

LP: Mitch White (1-2)

HR: C.J. Cron (24)

 

The Dodgers will continue their homestand with the red hot Atlanta Braves who come in for three games starting Monday. A pair of left-handed pitchers are scheduled to start, Julio Urías for the Dodgers, and Drew Smyly will take the mound for the Braves. The first pitch is at 7:10 and can be seen on SportsNet LA.

 

 

Game 2:

 

The Dodgers’ bats finally woke up in the eighth inning, as timely hitting helped them pick up the 5-2 win over the Rockies.

Entering the eighth inning, the Dodgers were 0-for-17 in the series with runners on base. Well, that streak eventually had to come to an end… and it did. After finishing Friday with zero walks, the Dodgers walked eight times on Saturday night, including two times in the eighth inning.

After Max Muncy reached with a single, Mookie Betts and Justin Turner reached with walks to load the bases for Will Smith. Daniel Bard was struggling with control for the Rockies, as he fell behind in the count to Smith 3-1. Smith, who has been fantastic since the All-Star break, connected on a sinker and hit a single, bringing in two runs to give the Dodgers a 4-2 lead. Yet again, ‘Doctor Clutch’ came up big time.

“I feel pretty confident in those situations,” Smith said following the game. “I’ve had a lot of success. I feel like I’m not afraid to fail in that moment. Just able to stick to my approach, swing at the right pitches, and not expand the zone. Good things will happen.”

“I have the confidence that he’s going to stay in the strike zone,” Dave Roberts said. “When they make a mistake, he’s ready to fire. That happened tonight and it’s happened many times for Will.”

AJ Pollock added an insurance run later that inning, as his RBI single gave the Dodgers a three-run lead.

 

Whether it was a three-run lead or a one-run lead, it looked safe with Kenley Jansen on the mound in the ninth inning. He retired the side in order, throwing 12 of his 14 pitches for strikes. For Jansen, it was the 341st save of his career, tying him with Hall-of-Famer Rollie Fingers for 14th most all-time.

After a rough stretch in July, Jansen has looked like what we saw in the first half. Since July 24, he’s 8-for-8 on saves and owns a 1.80 ERA. His WHIP is 0.93 and he’s averaging 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

“He’s passed the test of time,” Roberts said. “If you look at closers over the course of 10 years, that’s a select group that can be elite. Tip my hat to Kenley for the longevity and consistency.”

Corey Knebel was the opener for the Dodgers and did exactly what they wanted. He gave them 1 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings. Following Knebel was David Price, who pitched a bulk of the innings. Price went 3 ²⁄₃ innings, allowing two runs on only two hits. He threw 63 pitches before being removed.

Phil Bickford, Justin Bruihl, and Blake Treinen combined to throw 2 ²⁄₃ innings without allowing a hit.

 

Game 2 Boxscore:

 

WP: Blake Treinen (4-5)

LP: Daniel Bard (7-7)

SV: Kenley Jansen (29)

HR: Chris Taylor (19)

 

The Dodgers will go for the series win on Sunday. Mitch White will be activated and start for L.A. while the Rockies start Antonio Senzatela. The first pitch is at 1:10 and can be watched on SportsNet LA.

 

 

Game 1:

 

The Dodgers’ offense couldn’t get anything going, as they scored only two runs in their 4-2 loss to the Rockies. All six runs scored on the night came courtesy of home runs.

L.A. scored their lone runs in the third inning, as Will Smith and Trea Turner each hit a solo home run. Outside of those two long balls, the offense recorded only four hits over the entire course of the game. The Dodgers didn’t even have a runner in scoring position until the ninth inning.

Mookie Betts hit a single to begin the ninth inning and advanced to second base on a wild pitch with no outs. The Dodgers had numerous chances with the tying run at the plate but couldn’t do anything. Max Muncy pinch-hit for Albert Pujols, working the count full. He swung at what would have been ball four.

Up next was Corey Seager, who jumped ahead to a 3-0 count. Instead of taking ball four, he swung and missed at the next pitch. With a full count, Seager looked at what should have been ball four but was called a strike. AJ Pollock was L.A.’s last hope, but he struck out swinging to end the game.

“We chased,” Dave Roberts said following the game. “It just seemed like we chased. That inning certainly didn’t cost us the game. Striking out 12 times, no walks. Not a good performance offensively.”

Although some calls didn’t go the Dodgers’ way in the ninth inning, they shouldn’t have been in that position, to begin with. Going eight innings without putting a runner in scoring position against the Rockies at home is just unacceptable and shouldn’t happen with this loaded lineup.

Making his second career start was Andre Jackson. After debuting for L.A. last week against the Pirates, Jackson was called up by the Dodgers on Friday to toss the bulk of innings. He was able to give the Dodgers 4 ²⁄₃ innings, throwing 77 pitches. The lone run he allowed came off a home run from CJ Cron.

He walked two batters in the fifth to put two on with only one out. Jackson was able to escape the game unharmed as he recorded back-to-back outs.

“I practice making pitches when I need to,” Jackson said. “Practice in that compete mode, so when you get in those situations in the game it’s natural.”

Through two starts, Jackson has looked pretty solid, especially considering he barely spent any time at the Triple-A level. He’s allowed one run in 8 ²⁄₃ innings and has seven strikeouts. When the Dodgers have needed an arm to take down a bulk of the innings in bullpen games, Jackson has done a solid job.

 

The Dodgers will still be without Clayton Kershaw for some more time, leaving an open spot in the starting rotation for a few more turns.

“We’re going to talk about it,” Roberts said when asked if we could see more of Jackson in the coming weeks. “Looking out at the schedule and seeing what makes sense for him to make starts and pitch bulk innings. He’s doing exactly what we need from him.”

When asked about it following the game, Jackson said he’s willing to do whatever the Dodgers need from him, whether that’s throwing one inning or seven innings.

Jackson relieved Brusdar Graterol, who was the opener for the Dodgers. He allowed a two-run homer to Charlie Blackmon, who continues to torch L.A. at the plate. In only 13 games against the Dodgers, Blackmon has four home runs. In all his other games, he has six!

After Jackson was Justin Bruihl and Shane Greene, who combined to throw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Alex Vesia came in with two outs in the ninth, needing only three pitches for a strikeout. He came back out in the ninth and allowed a leadoff home run to Elias Diaz. For Vesia, that’s only his second earned run over his last 21 games.

 

Game 1 Boxscore:

 

WP: Kyle Freeland (5-6)

LP: Andre Jackson (0-1)

SV: Carlos Estevez (3)

HR: Will Smith (21) Trea Turner (20) Charlie Blackmon (10) CJ Cron (23) Elias Diaz (15)

 

The Dodgers will look to get back in the win column today as David Price takes the mound for L.A. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:10 on SportsNet LA.

 

Dodgers vs Rockies                 Dodgers vs Rockies                 Dodgers vs Rockies                 Dodgers vs Rockies                 Dodgers vs Rockies                 Dodgers vs Rockies                 Dodgers vs Rockies                 Dodgers vs Rockies                

– Joe Arrigo

Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeArrigo

Follow The Franchise on social media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube