Rockies 2 - 1 Dodgers
Final
  for this game

Dodgers gear up for playoffs in finale versus Rockies

Sep 29, 2013 - 1:30 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will gear up for the playoffs one last time when they close out a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies Sunday afternoon at Chavez Ravine.

The NL West-champion Dodgers will be the No. 3 seed in the upcoming National League playoffs and dropped a 1-0 decision to the Rockies on Saturday. Zack Greinke was dealt the hard-luck loss for allowing the lone run through six innings of work. He struck out seven batters and did not issue a walk.

Juan Uribe and Michael Young both doubled for the Dodgers, who entered the game having won four of six.

Even after the loss the Dodgers are looking forward to the playoffs.

"We're all looking forward to it," Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said. "We get one more tune-up tomorrow and then we'll start getting ready for whoever we have to play."

L.A.'s Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his final tuneup for the postseason Sunday and the rookie left-hander is 14-7 with a 2.97 earned run average in 29 starts. Ryu ended a personal two-game slide his last time out in a 2-1 win at San Francisco, where he tossed seven innings of one-run ball. He is 2-4 in his last six decisions.

Ryu is 7-3 in 14 starts at Dodger Stadium and defeated the Rockies the only time he faced them back on April 30 in a 6-3 win. He allowed two runs across six innings in that one.

The Rockies won for the second time in six tries Saturday and look to end the season with a series win over the rival Dodgers.

Nolan Arenado drove in the only run of the game in the fourth inning and finished with a game-high two hits for Colorado. Juan Nicasio picked up the win by tossing 5 1/3 shutout innings and striking out seven.

"That's the thing about Juan, he can step up and have a great performance like that," said Rockies manager Walt Weiss.

Rex Brothers threw the final 1 1/3 innings for his 18th save.

Rockies first baseman Todd Helton will be playing the final game of his career Sunday and is retiring at season's end. Helton is the Rockies' all-time leader in most major offensive categories.

"He's been a great player," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Facing him from this side is not fun because he's a tough out. It seems like the bigger the situation, the better Todd is. We wish him a lot of success. I know he's meant a lot to that franchise."

Colorado outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who sat Saturday with wrist soreness, is nearing an NL batting title and enters Sunday's game with a .333 average.

Taking the mound for the Rockies Sunday will be Jeff Francis. Francis hasn't started since June 18 and has been used primarily out of the bullpen lately. The left-hander is 2-5 with a 6.61 ERA in 22 games (11 starts) and has faced the Dodgers 20 times (19 starts) in his career, going 6-5 with a 3.53 ERA.

Los Angeles and Colorado have split 18 meetings this season.






Related News