Final
Jimenez leads Rockies into finale with Dodgers
Jun 12, 2011 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - Just when Ubaldo Jimenez seemed back to his normal self, the Colorado Rockies ace fell back into the loss column.A 19-game winner a year ago, Jimenez gets the nod today in the finale of a four-game series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers from Coors Field. Jimenez began the season 0-5 in his first nine starts before tossing a four-hit shutout on June 1 in a 3-0 win at Los Angeles.
Jimenez, who was 12-1 at this time a season ago, plummeted back into the loss column in Tuesday's 2-0 setback at San Diego in which he was reached for a pair of runs and six hits in seven frames. He did have a season high eight strikeouts, however. The righty is 7-6 with a 4.59 ERA in 17 career games (16 starts) against the Dodgers.
The Rockies were aiming for their fifth straight win at home over the Dodgers and staged a furious rally that was stopped by LA outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., who ended the game on a diving catch with the bases loaded in an 11-7 triumph. Trailing by a 7-1 score in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Rockies posted a five-spot behind a two-run single by red-hot shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who has 10 runs batted in over his last four games.
Jason Giambi and Tulowitzki later scored on a fielding error by Dodgers slugging outfielder Matt Kemp and Charlie Blackmon singled home a run. Blackmon was then up with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but lined out to a diving Gwynn to end the rally.
"I thought it was down," said Blackmon. "I feel like everybody else thought it was down, and then he caught it. That was a really nice play, and I'm impressed."
Ty Wigginton homered and had two RBI for Colorado, which had won three straight and six of nine games beforehand. Starting pitcher Jason Hammel was not only battling the Dodgers, but a stiff back was bothering him on the mound. He allowed three runs -- two earned -- in five innings to fall to 3-6.
Rockies first baseman Todd Helton had the day off and is riding a five-game hitting streak. Helton is batting .407 in June and owns four RBI, six runs and five walks in his last three games. Colorado is 2-1 on a 10-game homestand versus the Dodgers, Padres and Tigers.
Los Angeles will put the finishing touches on a 10-game road trip today and ended a three-game slide with Saturday's hard-fought win in Denver. Gwynn's catch in the bottom of the ninth saved the day and took the Dodgers' bullpen off the hook. Ted Lilly earned the win with five innings of one-run ball, but almost lost out on the victory after the bullpen allowed six earned runs.
Scott Elbert surrendered three runs, Matt Guerrier was reached for two and Javy Guerra allowed a run in the ninth. Jamey Carroll and Aaron Miles both had four hits and two RBI to lead the offense, while Casey Blake plated three runs with a bases-clearing double in the sixth inning.
"That's Denver for you right there," Carroll said of the atmosphere. "Nothing is easy, nothing is ever safe. The last two days showed that completely."
Kemp drove in a run and also scored, and is batting .485 with six homers, nine runs and 15 RBI during the 10-game road trip which concludes today. The Dodgers are 4-5 so far on the road swing and will return home tonight for a lengthy 12-game residency versus the Reds, Astros, Tigers and Angels.
Dodgers rookie Rubby De La Rosa gets the nod today in search of his third win of his career and is 2-0 with a 1.80 earned run average in four games (one start). He made the first start of his career in Tuesday's 6-2 win at Philadelphia and held the NL East-leading Phillies to one run on four hits and five walks over five innings.
The right-hander is currently replacing Jon Garland in the rotation.
"He may have been jacked up, but he doesn't get rattled or flustered. Maybe a little nervous," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "A packed house, and the Phillies got a lot of names and you know who all the guys are. But you get over that."
De La Rosa threw two scoreless innings of relief in an 8-2 win versus Colorado on May 31 from Dodger Stadium.
Colorado has taken five of the eight games against Los Angeles this season and had won the last four matchups at Coors Field. The Rockies are 4 1/2 games off the NL West lead, while LA sits 6 1/2 games behind.
- LOS ANGELES: 10
COLORADO: 8
Final
Jun 12 6:53 PM - Todd Helton two-out, solo Home Run (9) to right center. Troy Tulowitzki due up.
Dodgers 10, Rockies 8 Bot 9, 2 OutsJun 12 6:44 PM - Rod Barajas grounded into a double play, first to short to first to end the inning.
Dodgers 10, Rockies 7 Mid 8Jun 12 6:16 PM - Troy Tulowitzki two-out, two-run Home Run (13) to left scored Ryan Spilborghs. Seth Smith due up.
Dodgers 9, Rockies 7 Bot 7, 2 OutsJun 12 6:01 PM - Carlos Gonzalez one-out, two-run Home Run (9) to center scored Jose Morales. Ryan Spilborghs due up.
Dodgers 9, Rockies 5 Bot 7, 1 OutJun 12 5:54 PM - Jamey Carroll single to right scored Trent Oeltjen with one out. On the play, Tony Gwynn Jr. advanced to second. Runners on first and second and Aaron Miles due up.
Dodgers 9, Rockies 3 Top 7, 1 OutJun 12 5:44 PM - Tony Gwynn Jr. bunt singled to first. On the play, Trent Oeltjen advanced to third and Rod Barajas scored on Todd Helton's throwing error. Runners on first and third with one out and Jamey Carroll due up.
Dodgers 8, Rockies 3 Top 7, 1 OutJun 12 5:41 PM - Rod Barajas two-out, solo Home Run (8) to center. Trent Oeltjen due up.
Dodgers 7, Rockies 3 Top 5, 2 OutsJun 12 4:47 PM - Matt Kemp lead-off Home Run (20) to center. James Loney due up.
Dodgers 6, Rockies 3 Top 5, 0 OutsJun 12 4:43 PM - Rod Barajas single to right scored Juan Uribe with two out. Runner on first and Trent Oeltjen due up.
Dodgers 5, Rockies 3 Top 3, 2 OutsJun 12 4:08 PM - James Loney two-out, Grand Slam (4) to right scored Jamey Carroll, Aaron Miles and Matt Kemp. Juan Uribe due up.
Dodgers 4, Rockies 3 Top 3, 2 OutsJun 12 4:05 PM - Seth Smith two-out, three-run Home Run (6) to right scored Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. Ty Wigginton due up.
Dodgers 0, Rockies 3 Bot 1, 2 OutsJun 12 3:29 PM - LOS ANGELES: 0
COLORADO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 12 3:11 PM
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