Final
Kemp, Cruz help Dodgers down Rockies
Oct 1, 2012 - 12:14 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Matt Kemp and Luis Cruz each hit a two-run home run as the Los Angeles Dodgers capped a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 7-1 win.The victory helped Los Angeles keep pace for the final wild card spot in the National League as the team remains two games back of the St. Louis Cardinals, who defeated the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
"We painted ourselves into this corner," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. "If we do what we have to do, St. Louis will have to win two games. We're forcing them to win games."
A.J. Ellis added a two-run homer while Shane Victorino went 3-for-5 and scored twice for the Dodgers, who have won five straight. Josh Beckett (2-3) gave up just one run on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts over six innings.
Andrew Brown's solo home run was the only score of the game for the Rockies, who had won four straight coming into the series. Jorge De La Rosa (0-2) lasted just four innings in the start and gave up four runs on five hits.
"From mid-July we've had a number of rookies on the field," said Colorado manager Jim Tracy. "They played hard today. But you can't catch a ball that's over the fence."
Colorado took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Brown led off with his fifth home run of the season, but Los Angeles took control in the bottom of the inning.
Victorino led off with a single and Kemp followed with his 23rd home run of the season. Adrian Gonzalez then singled and Cruz later smacked his sixth homer of the campaign for a 4-1 lead.
Hanley Ramirez singled home Victorino in the fifth for a 5-1 advantage. On the play, Kemp was thrown out at home trying to score from second to end the inning.
Ellis made it a 7-1 game in the sixth with his 12th home run of the season after Andre Ethier walked.
Colorado left the bases loaded in the seventh and stranded a runner on third in the eighth.
Josh Wall kept Colorado off the board in the ninth to cap the win.
Game Notes
The Dodgers host the Giants for the final three games of the regular season ... Colorado closes out its campaign in Arizona ... Los Angeles won the season series, 10-8 ... Beckett improved to 5-2 in eight games against the Rockies ... Colorado went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base.
- COLORADO: 1
LOS ANGELES: 7
Final
Sep 30 7:43 PM - A.J. Ellis one-out, two-run Home Run (12) to center scored Andre Ethier. Josh Beckett due up.
Rockies 1, Dodgers 7 Bot 6, 1 OutSep 30 6:29 PM - Hanley Ramirez single to left scored Shane Victorino with two outs. On the play, Adrian Gonzalez advances to second and Matt Kemp out at home to end the inning.
Rockies 1, Dodgers 5 End 5Sep 30 6:09 PM - Luis Cruz one-out, two-run Home Run (6) to left scored Adrian Gonzalez. Andre Ethier due up.
Rockies 1, Dodgers 4 Bot 4, 1 OutSep 30 5:33 PM - Matt Kemp none-out, two-run Home Run (23) to right center scored Shane Victorino. Adrian Gonzalez due up.
Rockies 1, Dodgers 2 Bot 4, 0 OutsSep 30 5:27 PM - Andrew Brown lead-off Home Run (5) to left. Chris Nelson due up.
Rockies 1, Dodgers 0 Top 4, 0 OutsSep 30 5:12 PM - COLORADO: 0
LOS ANGELES: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 30 4:11 PM
Related News
- When Clayton Kershaw was Shohei Ohtani for a day Dec 26
- Tuesday Rockpile: What did the Rockies get in trading for Cal Quantrill? Dec 26
- 2023 review: Andre Jackson Dec 25
- Notes: Shohei Ohtani, Joe Kelly, Walker Buehler, Manuel Margot Dec 25
- Monday Rockpile: What’s under the tree for Rockies’ fans this Christmas? Dec 25
- 2023 review: Yonny Hernández Dec 24
- Dodgers will pay $19.4 million luxury tax for 2023 Dec 23
- 2023 review: Phil Bickford Dec 23
- This Week in Purple: Happy Holidays! Dec 23
- Reactions to Yamamoto signing with Dodgers Dec 23
- Shelby Miller signs with Tigers Dec 22
- 2023 review: Justin Bruihl Dec 22