Rockies beat the Dodgers, 2-1
The Rockies took the lead in the top of the ninth. With Brusdar Graterol on the mound, Sean Bouchard singled to right. Alan Trejo lined to second. Ezequiel Tovar grounded to second, Bouchard to second. Michael Toglia singled to left, scoring Bouchard. Yonathan Daza grounded to first.
In the bottom half, Justin Lawrence and his 5.83 ERA came into the game to try and get a save. Trea Turner singled to left. Freddie Freeman flied to the warning track in right. Will Smith flied to center. Max Muncy lined to center.
Final score: Rockies 2, Dodgers 1
We go to the ninth, 1-1
It has been a pitcher’s duel since the fourth inning, more of a multiple pitcher’s duel. The Dodgers have held the Rockies scoreless thanks to the following pitchers: Yency Almonte, Tommy Kahnle, Craig Kimbrel, Caleb Ferguson, Chris Martin, Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips. They have combined to throw six scoreless, giving up four hits and one walk while striking out eight.
Meanwhile, the Rockies have used two pitchers, getting six innings of one-run ball from Jose Urena and two scoreless from Jake Bird. They both started the game with ERAs over 5.00, but have held the Dodgers to five hits.
Score after eight: Dodgers 1, Rockies 1
Dodgers tie it in third
Trayce Thompson hit a one-out homer in the bottom of the third to even the score. The ball was essentially a line drive that rocketed into the seats. Joey Gallo lined to left. Mookie Betts singled to center. Yonathan Daza made a diving attempt and missed, but the ball got trapped under him. Betts thought he caught it and began to run back to the dugout until everyone on the Dodgers and half the crowd yelled at him to go back. Trea Turner fouled to first.
Score after three: Dodgers 1, Rockies 1
Rockies jump to early 1-0 lead
The Rockies got on board in the top of the second. Elias Diaz singled to left. Randal Grichuk lined to short, with Diaz barely beating the throw to first to try to double him off. Sean Bouchard doubled to left-center, Diaz stopping at third. Alan Trejo singled to right, scoring Diaz, Bouchard stopping at third. Ezequiel Tovar struck out swinging at a ball way outside. Michael Toglia struck out swinging.
The Dodgers went in order in the bottom of the second. Yency Almonte will replace Tony Gonsolin in the top of the third.
Score after two: Rockies 1, Dodgers 0
Dave Roberts concerned Chris Taylor could miss NLDS games
As the last few games of the regular season drift away, the Dodgers could enter postseason play without a key playoff hero of years past.
Outfielder Chris Taylor was out of the lineup Monday night for the third straight game against the Colorado Rockies because of neck tightness. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Taylor’s neck is “stiff, it hurts, it’s sore swinging the bat.”
“When you’re talking about the neck, there’s a lot of things you have to be dynamic as a baseball player,” Roberts said. “I am concerned.”
Concerned enough that Roberts didn’t mince words about the possibility Taylor won’t be healthy by the time National League Division Series play rolls around next week.
The Dodgers lost 4-1 to the Colorado Rockies, but Tyler Anderson’s 10-strikeout effort shows how he’s become one of the rotation’s most trusted pitchers.
“I’m still hopeful,” Roberts said. “But to say it’s not a possibility [he’s not healthy], I don’t think it would be honest.”
Almost exactly a year ago, Taylor was dealing with a similar neck issue as the Dodgers prepared to roll into October, missing a stretch of games. His plate production cratered that September, as he ended the month six for 52. He has similarly slumped of late, mired in a three-for-30 stretch before a three-for-four game Sept. 30.
On the whole, it’s been his worst year in a Dodger uniform, as he has slashed just .221/.304/.373.
Taylor received a cortisone shot Monday morning, Roberts said, and the manager was still hoping Taylor would play Wednesday in the Dodgers’ final regular-season game against Colorado.
Blake Treinen, meanwhile, had a productive bullpen session, Roberts said. The reliever missed much of this season because of shoulder issues, but if he’s capable of facing hitters sooner rather than later, there’s a slim chance he could factor into a crowded Dodgers bullpen come the postseason.
Tonight’s starting lineups
Dave Roberts hopes title-or-bust Dodgers fans can learn to enjoy the ride
“Ask me in October.”
They are four words that define a culture, four words that turn blessings into a curse, four words that hurt and haunt.
They’ve been repeated everywhere. They’ve been written in this space. Have you heard them? Can you feel them?
Ask a local what they think of this season’s Dodgers, those glorious Dodgers, the winningest team in franchise history, the authors of arguably the most amazing summer ever witnessed in Chavez Ravine.
Ask a local what they think of the 110 victories, the game’s best offense and defense, the Cy Young Award and MVP candidates, the six months of unadulterated greatness.
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.
How to watch and stream Dodgers-Rockies series
Here’s a look at the Dodgers broadcast and streaming schedule for the final series of the regular season: