Up three games in the National League West after taking two of three from the Giants in San Francisco, the Dodgers headed to Colorado to open up a three-game series with the Rockies. Roberto Hernandez, the fifth starter on the Dodgers' staff made the opening game start. He surrendered one run in the first and second inning that tied the game at one point. Hernandez did receive some help from his defense early on though, cutting down two runners at home plate through the first two innings of the contest. Hernandez left after just 3 2/3 innings of work, giving up six hits that led to two runs for the Rockies. Jamey Wright picked up the win in his one inning of relief work, scoring win number five this season. Chris Perez struck out the side in the ninth inning to end the game and seal the big win in the opener.
The Dodgers jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning. Yasiel Puig singled and moved to second base before Matt Kemp homered to right center field, continuing his power surge and giving his team the 2-0 lead. The Dodgers scored one run in the fifth inning for a 3-2 lead after doubles from Dee Gordon and Adrian Gonzalez. Los Angeles then blew the game open with an eight-run sixth inning, winning the game 11-3. The rally consisted of twelve batters, finishing the night with 15 hits. Carl Crawford was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and Juan Uribe followed with a single. A.J. Ellis singled, and Justin Turner smacked a double into right field to score the first two runs of the inning. Gordon hit an RBI single to left field in the next at bat. Puig walked, and Gonzalez singled to drive in two runs for RBI number 105 and 106. Kemp struck out before a double from Hanley Ramirez to center field. Crawford came up for his second at bat of the inning and hit an RBI sac fly to center field. Uribe’s second at bat of the sixth inning was a double to center field to drive in Ramirez for the eighth and final run of the inning. The Dodgers now have 32 runs in their past 24 innings. Ramirez, Gonzalez, Puig and Gordon each had two hits in their combined 20 plate appearances. Uribe led the way with three hits in four at-bats, driving in one run and drawing a walk. Gonzalez led the team with three RBI.
The Dodgers blow out win stretches their lead in the National League West with the Giants losing in Arizona. The 86-64 Dodgers will have Dan Haren on the hill tomorrow, a winner in his last three starts.