Julio Urías burnishes All-Star credentials, Dodgers win on Trayce Thompson’s home run
A Dodgers starting pitcher made a strong case for an All-Star berth for the fourth day in a row.
A journeyman outfielder known primarily as a member of a decorated basketball family struck the key blow.
And an injury-ravaged bullpen wobbled its way through the ninth inning in a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night that marked the Dodgers’ 50th win two games ahead of the season’s halfway point, keeping them on pace for a 100-win season.
On our holiday that celebrates the land of the free, the Dodgers let Freeland reign into the fifth inning. Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland retired the first 13 batters in order before the Dodgers changed the course of the game.
Trayce Thompson, brother of NBA star Klay Thompson and son of former Lakers forward Mychal Thompson, followed Justin Turner’s single and Chris Taylor’s walk with a three-run home run to left field that put the Dodgers ahead, 3-1.
Dodgers hold on for 5-2 win over Rockies
The Dodgers’ fifth-inning surge proved to be too much for the Rockies to overcome.
Trea Turner doubled on a line drive and Cody Bellinger scored in the bottom of the seventh, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 5-1.
The Rockies put pressure on the Dodgers’ relievers in the ninth, mounting a rally.
C.J. Cron hit a solo home run off Reyes Moronta at the top of the ninth to trim the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2.
Jose Iglesias hit a single off and Elias Díaz walked, giving the the Rockies two on base with two outs at the top the ninth and signs of life.
Yency Almonte replaced Moronta and gave up a single to Charlie Blackmon. Iglesias scored and Elias Díaz advanced to third.
Almonte remained on the mound with a 5-3 lead and secured the final out.
Trayce Thompson’s three-run home run puts Dodgers ahead in the fifth
Trayce Thompson, known mostly as the brother of NBA star Klay Thompson, hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to put the Dodgers ahead of the Rockies.
The blast came on a full count against left-hander Kyle Freeland, who retired the first 13 Dodgers before encountering trouble. Justin Turner singled with one out in the fifth and Chris Taylor walked ahead of Thompson’s home run.
Cody Bellinger promptly stroked a ground-rule double, and with two out Mookie Betts scored him with a single to increase the lead to 4-1.
Homer by light-hitting Jose Iglesias puts Rockies on top
José Iglesias, the former Angel shortstop noted for his glovework, put the Colorado Rockies on top, 1-0, in the fifth inning by golfing a looping curveball by Julio Urías over the left-field fence.
The homer came on Urias’ 68th pitch. The Rockies’ game plan appears to be to get deep into counts and ratchet up Urías’ pitch count. Once he is lifted, hitters might feast on the Dodgers’ depleted bullpen.
Meanwhile, Rockies starter Kyle Freeland has retired the first 12 Dodgers in order.
Mookie Betts starts at second base to protect his rib
Mookie Betts moved from his usual right field position to second base as a precaution. Monday marked his second game after missing two weeks because of a fractured rib.
“Mookie not playing for a couple weeks, then he had a high workload yesterday, so to get his legs back under him he’s playing second,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Betts has extensive experience playing second base and enjoys doing so.
“Certainly it’s a luxury,” Roberts said. “We feel good about it. He’ll be back in right field [Tuesday].”
Craig Kimbrel sore but relieved a day after taking line drive to the back
A day after getting drilled in the back by a line drive, Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel was sore but relieved.
“Nothing is broken,” he said. “It could have been worse.”
Kimbrel blew a save in a 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres. After Jake Cronenworth reached on the shot that landed just south of Kimbrel’s scapula, Luke Voit doubled to tie the score and Eric Hosmer singled to put the Padres ahead 2-1, chasing Kimbrel.
Manager Dave Roberts said that although he was encouraged Kimbrel wasn’t seriously hurt, he’d give the closer at least two days off before he pitches again.
Craig Kimbrel’s blown save costs Dodgers four-game sweep of Padres
There was a comebacker, then a backbreaker.
Thirty-five innings of lifeless baseball from the San Diego Padres lineup this weekend, then one hapless inning from the Dodgers bullpen on Sunday afternoon.
The Dodgers might have won the four-game series against their division rivals, but they still squandered an opportunity for what could have been a massive midseason sweep Sunday, blowing a late lead in the weekend finale to lose 4-2 in front of 42,633 at Dodger Stadium.
Craig Kimbrel gave up the deciding runs, blowing his third save out of the last seven opportunities after Jake Cronenworth reached on a line drive that drilled Kimbrel in the back, Luke Voit hit a game-tying double off the top of the wall in left and Eric Hosmer hit a go-ahead single into right.
Catcher Austin Barnes agrees to two-year, $7-million contract extension with Dodgers
The Dodgers’ second-longest tenured position player will be staying in Los Angeles for at least another couple years.
On Sunday, the team agreed to a two-year contract extension with catcher Austin Barnes worth $7 million guaranteed, keeping the eight-year veteran under contract with the team through the 2024 season.
“They approached me a couple weeks ago [about an extension],” said Barnes, who was set to become a free agent this winter. “It just made sense. I wanted to be here. This is a great group of guys and I believe in what’s happening in this organization. So it’s great to be here for another two years.”