• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Gwynn's diving catch seals win for Dodgers

Jun 12, 2011 - 5:35 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Jamey Carroll and Aaron Miles sparked the offense, posting identical four-hit, two-RBI performances, but it was Tony Gwynn who made a diving catch to secure Los Angeles' 11-7 victory over the Rockies at Coors Field.

The Dodgers entered the eighth with a seemingly comfortable 7-1 lead. But Colorado mounted a furious comeback, scoring five runs in an inning for the third straight game. Los Angeles then countered with a four-spot before the Rockies brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth.

With the bases loaded, Charlie Blackmon lined the first pitch he saw from Javy Guerra to left field. Gwynn chased it down and made an unbelievable grab to deny the Rockies' rookie outfielder of extra bases.

"Gwynn is a great defensive outfielder," Miles said. "He saw the win and went for it."

Scott Elbert took the mound for Los Angeles to begin the eighth and Colorado promptly loaded the bases with nobody out. Matt Guerrier replaced an ineffective Elbert and Troy Tulowitzki greeted him with a two-run single through the left side.

One out later, pinch-hitter Seth Smith hit a single to center field that skipped past Matt Kemp. The error resulted in two runs scoring and Smith taking up residence at third base. The Dodgers' lead was then cut to 7-6 with an RBI single by Blackmon.

Colorado reliever Matt Lindstrom failed to keep it a one-run game, allowing three consecutive hits to start the ninth. With men on the corners, Gwynn hit a grounder fielded by Jonathan Herrera. Rod Barajas, who doubled home James Loney, beat the second baseman's throw to the plate for a 9-6 Los Angeles advantage.

Following a sacrifice bunt, Miles was caught in a rundown between third and home. Carroll then drove in a pair with a single to center.

Just as he did in the eighth, Carlos Gonzalez doubled to begin the home half of the ninth. But Eric Young lined into a 1-6 double play. The Rockies kept it interesting by stringing together three straight singles -- the last one by Ty Wigginton -- to produce a run. Guerra then walked pinch-hitter Ryan Spilborghs before Gwynn's stellar defensive play.

"With the spin and the English it had slicing away from him, it would have been very interesting with him diving if that ball gets by," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "But I think obviously with that being said we didn't pitch well tonight. It's that simple."

Casey Blake came off the bench to deliver a pinch-hit, three-run double for the Dodgers, who picked up their first win in this four-game series that concludes on Sunday.

Los Angeles starter Ted Lilly (5-5) gave up a leadoff home run to Wigginton in the second among four hits over five frames.

Jason Hammel (3-6) was charged with three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits for Colorado.

Blake's bases-clearing hit snapped a 1-1 tie in the sixth. Hammel tossed eight consecutive pitches out of the strike zone before leaving with a stiff lower back. Gwynn then bunted for a base hit and Blake lined an offering from Matt Reynolds down the left-field line to put the visitors up 4-1.

The Dodgers extended their lead in the seventh on a two-run double by Miles, who scored on a single by pinch-hitter Marcus Thames.

Game Notes

Kemp hit an RBI double in the fifth to put LA on the board...Colorado suffered its first loss in five home games to the Dodgers this year...Lilly stole his third career base...Hammel has not won since April 30. The Rockies have lost each of his last eight starts...The teams combined for 31 hits, 18 by the Dodgers.