‘A guy that I trust’: Tyler Anderson shows off his playoff-caliber prowess again
Tyler Anderson threw 86 pitches Sunday, not one of them traveling faster than 92 mph, the Dodgers left-hander content to cruise in the slow lane while so many of his peers zoom down the autobahn at 97-98 mph.
But what Anderson lacks in velocity he makes up for in command, deception and guile, a combination that earned the 32-year-old with the herky-jerky delivery a playoff rotation spot. It was on display again in his final regular-season start.
The Dodgers lost to Colorado 4-1 before 44,091 at Chavez Ravine, their normally potent offense mustering three singles off Rockies starter Germán Márquez (9-13) and relievers Justin Lawrence and Daniel Bard, the latter striking out six of his last seven batters for the save.
Rockies defeat Dodgers, 4-1
The Rockies extended their lead in the top of the ninth. Randal Grichuk hit a fly ball to right that was directly in the sun, causing Joey Gallo, a Gold Glove fielder, to miss it. It bounced past him and ended up being a three-base error. Sean Bouchard doubled to left, scoring Grichuk. Michael Toglia hit a grounder off of Andre Jackson’s leg for a single, putting runners at the corners with nobody out. Ezequiel Tovar singled to right, scoring Bouchard. It’s 4-1 Rockies. Brian Serven sacrificed. Yonathan Daza walked on four pitches, loading the bases with one out. Brendan Rodgers grounded into a 5-2-3 double play to end the inning.
In the bottom half, Max Muncy struck out looking. Justin Turner singled up the middle. Joey Gallo struck out swinging. Gavin Lux struck out looking on a pitch that was nowhere near a strike.
Final score: Rockies 4, Dodgers 1
We go to the ninth, 2-1 Rockies
The Dodgers had a chance to make some noise in the bottom of the eighth. Trayce Thompson reached on an infield single. Cody Bellinger hit a chopper to first that was misplayed for an error, putting runners at first and second with none out. But Daniel Bard struck out Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith to end the inning. Thompson has both hits for the Dodgers today.
Score after eight: Rockies 2, Dodgers 1
Andre Jackson takes over for Tyler Anderson on the mound
Andre Jackson is in the game for the Dodgers as the sixth inning gets underway, with the Rockies leading 2-1.
Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson allowed six hits, two earned runs and struck out a career-high 10 batters over five innings.
Cody Bellinger drives in Dodgers’ first run vs. Rockies
Cody Bellinger drove in the Dodgers’ first run on a sacrifice fly to the wall in straightaway center field, making it 2-1 Rockies in the third inning.
Gavin Lux, who led off the inning with a walk, scored from third after being pushed over on a single by Trayce Thompson.
⚾ End of third: Rockies 2, Dodgers 1
Rockies extend lead on run-scoring double off Tyler Anderson
Ryan McMahon hit a run-scoring double off Dodgers starter Tyler Anderson in the third inning, giving the Rockies a 2-0 lead.
After giving up a first-inning home run, Anderson appeared to be settling down, recording seven strikeouts through the first 2 2/3 innings before allowing McMahon’s double to left-center field.
Anderson capped the frame by striking out C.J. Cron, tying his season high for strikeouts with eight — but he’s up to 64 pitches.
⚾ Middle of the third: Rockies 2, Dodgers 0
Colorado takes early lead on home run
Colorado’s Brendan Rodgers didn’t waste time getting the Rockies on the scoreboard, hitting a solo home run off Dodgers starter Tyler Anderson in the first inning.
It was Rodgers’ 12th home run of the season. The Rockies are looking to pick up their first win of the series after dropping games on Friday and Saturday to the Dodgers.
⚾ End of the first inning: Rockies 1, Dodgers 0
Dodgers hope two-man mound effort is enough against Rockies
The Dodgers hope to use only two pitchers on Sunday when left-hander Tyler Anderson (15-4, 2.54 ERA) makes his final regular-season start against the Colorado Rockies in Dodger Stadium, with Andre Jackson, who was called up from triple-A Oklahoma City, serving in long relief.
“It’s going to be kind of like the Tyler Anderson-Andre Jackson show,” manager Dave Roberts said. “So hopefully we can give our guys in the bullpen a little break today.”
Third baseman Justin Turner returned to the lineup as the designated hitter after missing four games because of a left-leg bruise, but left fielder Chris Taylor, who was scratched from Saturday night’s lineup because of neck tightness, is not expected to play and is considered day-to-day.
“It’s not great,” Roberts said of Taylor’s condition. “For Chris to say he can’t play is certainly telling.”
Right-hander Dustin May, on the injured list because of a muscle strain in his lower back, threw a bullpen session of 32-34 pitches with “really good intensity, really good execution,” on Sunday, Roberts said. Reliever Blake Treinen (shoulder) threw off a mound on Sunday and will repeat the workout on Monday.
ROCKIES LINEUP: CF Yonathan Daza, 2B Brendan Rodgers, 3B Ryan McMahon, DH C.J. Cron, RF Randal Grichuk, LF Sean Bouchard, 1B Michael Toglia, SS Ezequial Tovar, C Brian Serven, RHP German Marquez.
DODGERS LINEUP: SS Trea Turner, 1B Freddie Freeman, C Will Smith, 3B Max Muncy, DH Justin Turner, RF Joey Gallo, 2B Gavin Lux, LF Trayce Thompson, CF Cody Bellinger, LHP Tyler Anderson.
Dodgers defeat Rockies on big night for Jaime Jarrín and Freddie Freeman
How joyful. How fitting. With the Dodgers already having achieved nearly every conceivable regular-season goal — and adding victory No. 110 by the end of the night — Saturday provided an opportunity to honor a broadcaster employed by the franchise for 64 years and a player in his first Dodgers season.
Jaime Jarrín, the Dodgers’ Hall of Fame Spanish-language broadcaster since 1959, was the subject of an emotional, lengthy pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium. Jarrín, 86, will retire at the end of the season, and his immense popularity throughout baseball and the Dodgers fan base was celebrated.
Fellow broadcasters, politicians, and actor-activist Edward James Olmos took turns saluting Jarrín in person and via video, conveying their affection for his six-plus decades of warmth, dignity and professionalism. Yasiel Puig even sent a dispatch from South Korea, where he is now playing.
How to watch and stream the Dodgers-Rockies series
Here’s a look at the Dodgers broadcast and streaming schedule for the final series of the regular season: