For the third consecutive night, the Dodgers let a late lead get away. This time, they lose in extra innings to the Rockies, their fifth loss in the last six games.
Dodgers starting pitcher David Price throws to the plate during the first inning of Friday’s game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner, right, jokes with Manager Dave Roberts prior to a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rockies starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rockies starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez reacts after giving up a leadoff double to Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Will Smith of the Dodgers celebrates after hitting a double to score Chris Taylor #3 during the first inning against pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez #50 of the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rockies starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez reacts after giving up an RBI double to Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a one run double to score teammate Will Smith #16 against pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez #50 of the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon, left, attempts to tag out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger as Bellinger slides in for an RBI double during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon, right, attempts to tag out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger as Bellinger slides in for an RBI double during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as second base after hitting a one run double to score teammate Will Smith #16 against pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez #50 of the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rockies starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez, center, gets a visit from pitching coach Steve Foster and catcher Elias Diaz after giving up an RBI double to Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher David Price pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher David Price, left, reacts after his errant throw to first allowed the Rockies’ Raimel Tapia, right, to advance to second during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Elias Diaz, right, hits a solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, and home plate umpire Ed Hickox watch during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Elias Diaz, left, hits a solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith watches during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Elias Diaz, second from left, runs to first as he hits a solo home run while Dodgers starting pitcher David Price, left, watches along with catcher Will Smith, second from right, and home plate umpire Ed Hickox during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Elias Diaz, right, gestures as he rounds first after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Elias Diaz, right, gestures as he scores after hitting a solo home run as home plate umpire Ed Hickox watches during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Elias Diaz #35 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a one run home run against pitcher David Price #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rockies starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner, right, heads to first as he hits a solo home run as Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez watches during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner heads to first as he hits a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Justin Turner of the Dodgers reacts after hitting one run home run against pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez #50 of the Colorado Rockies during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner, right, celebrates his home run with Cody Bellinger during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Justin Turner of the Dodgers is congratulated at the dugout steps by AJ Pollock #11 and manager Dave Roberts #30 after hitting one run home run against pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez #50 of the Colorado Rockies during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher David Price pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Chris Taylor of the Dodgers turns a double play at second base forcing out C.J. Cron #25 of the Colorado Rockies and throwing to first base to get out Ryan McMahon #24 during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Trevor Story, right, of the Rockies is congratulated by Charlie Blackmon after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies hits an RBI single to score Charlie Blackmon #19 during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon, right, scores on a single by Ryan McMahon as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith waits for the ball during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run on single by Ryan McMahon #24 during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Ryan McMahon of the Rockies is caught stealing second base by Sheldon Neuse of the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Rockies’ Sam Hilliard, left, hits a solo home run as Dodgers relief pitcher Darien Nunez, left, watches along with catcher Will Smith, right, and home plate umpire Ed Hickox during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rockies pinch hitter Sam Hilliard hits a one run home run off reliever Darien Nunez #62 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to break up a tie game in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Rockies’ Sam Hilliard, right, tosses his bat as he prepares to circle the bases after hitting a go-ahead home run as Dodgers catcher Will Smith watches during the ninth inning of Friday’s game at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers rallied to tie the score in the bottom of the ninth before losing in 10 innings. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Sam Hilliard, top, tosses his bat after hitting a solo home run as Dodgers relief pitcher Darien Nunez watches during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Sam Hilliard, right, scores after hitting a solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, watches during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Sam Hilliard is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies histone run base hit against relief pitcher Jimmie Sherfy #58 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to score the go ahead run by Garrett Hampson #1during the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Rockies’ Garrett Hampson, right, scores on a single by Trevor Story as Dodgers catcher Will Smith misses the throw during the 10th inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon, left, hits a two-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, lower right, and home plate umpire Ed Hickox watch during the 10th inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon runs to first after hitting a two-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith kneels at the plate during the 10th inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon, center, is congratulated by Trevor Story, center, after hitting a two-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith stands at the plate during the 10th inning of a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates his two run homer with Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies against relief pitcher Jimmie Sherfy #58 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers blows a bubble playing second base after Garrett Hampson #1 of the Colorado Rockies scored the go-ahead run on a base hit by Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies during the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Relief pitcher Lucas Gilbreath #58 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 10th inning at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rockies relief pitcher Lucas Gilbreath throws to the plate during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rockies relief pitcher Lucas Gilbreath celebrates after the last out in their 9-6 victory over the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Rockies catcher Dom Nunez, left, and relief pitcher Lucas Gilbreath congratulate each other after the Rockies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 in a baseball game Friday, July 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — Kenley Jansen had an alibi this time.
For the third consecutive night Friday, the Dodgers’ bullpen let a lead get away and gave up a go-ahead run in the ninth inning. This time, the relief crew topped themselves, also giving up three runs in the 10th inning after the Dodgers had rallied back in the bottom of the ninth, losing, 9-6, to the Colorado Rockies.
The loss was the Dodgers’ fifth in their past six games. They held leads in the ninth inning in four of those five losses. According to ESPN Stats and Info, this is the first time the Dodgers have lost four consecutive games when tied or leading entering the ninth inning since the franchise moved to Los Angeles.
And Friday’s loss was the Dodgers’ 10th in 11 extra-inning games this season. Their nine-game losing streak in extra innings is tied for the longest in franchise history.
“I have no idea. If you guys have anything, let me know,” Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said, crowd-sourcing solutions when asked about the string of extra-inning failures. “But it’s pretty weird. I think 1-10 this year in extra innings. That’s obviously not good.”
There was very little good about Friday’s loss. The Dodgers wasted an opportunity to gain ground on the Giants, who experienced a bit of a hangover of their own after their back-to-back resurrections at Dodger Stadium, losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers remain three games out of first place in the NL West.
And adding to the Dodgers’ woes, Cody Bellinger showed his first signs of offensive life in weeks (a double and a triple) – then left the game with a hamstring injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called the injury “day to day” for now, but Bellinger is not expected to play Saturday. He spent time on the injured list in mid-June with a strain of the same hamstring.
After throwing 60 pitches while retiring just three of 14 batters faced in back-to-back ninth-inning disasters the previous two nights, Jansen spent his pregame Friday running on the warning track and taking batting practice, having been declared unavailable by Roberts.
So this one couldn’t be pinned on Jansen – or Blake Treinen or Joe Kelly, both of whom were also unavailable Friday. Treinen had pitched the previous two nights but Kelly was experiencing “soreness,” Roberts said, and won’t pitch before Sunday.
That left Roberts turning to a pair of relief reinforcements freshly arrived from Triple-A – Brusdar Graterol and Darien Nunez. They combined to let a two-run lead get away in the eighth inning. Nunez gave up a go-ahead home run to pinch-hitter Sam Hilliard in the ninth.
Proving that the Dodgers aren’t the only ones covering their eyes when the bullpen gate opens, Rockies closer Daniel Bard followed Hilliard’s homer by allowing the first four Dodgers to reach base in the bottom of the ninth – two singles followed by two walks, the last of the bunch forcing in the tying run.
With a gift-wrapped chance to redeem the night and go home heroes, the next three Dodgers – Will Smith, Sheldon Neuse and AJ Pollock – struck out, leaving the bases loaded.
“I was pretty certain that the game was going to be over,” Roberts said of the ninth-inning opportunity. “Will’s obviously taken a lot of good at-bats for us, got a lot of big hits for us. So to think he would put the ball in play, I felt really good about it – especially with where Daniel Bard was at as far as pitch count.
“And with Sheldon, there were a couple pitches I thought he could have ended the at-bat, put it in play. Just couldn’t do it. Then you’re hoping for a two-out hit from AJ, but he (Bard) made some pitches. It’s baseball. But we did have our chance.”
The Dodgers did themselves no favor by extending the game into the dark alley that has been extra innings for them this year.
Roberts turned to one of the waiver-wire pickups that have populated the Dodgers’ bullpen throughout this season in the 10th inning. Jimmie Sherfy gave up an RBI single to the first batter he faced, Trevor Story, then a two-run home run to Charlie Blackmon.
“I think all losses are kind of created the same, obviously,” Turner said of this string of late losses. “Offensively, we need to find a way to do a better job of extending leads throughout the game. Even this last month or so, we’ve been pretty reliant on big crooked numbers and not able to find ways to scratch off some ones and some twos in there. We need to keep on adding on as we get into these games.”
The Dodgers put up one of those crooked numbers (three) in the first inning but didn’t give David Price more support. Price pitched into the sixth inning, his longest outing since July 2019 with the Boston Red Sox, and gave up just four hits. Two of those were solo home runs to Elias Diaz and Story – the first home runs allowed by Price since he served up three in his first two games of the season (April 2 and 5).
Since Trevor Bauer’s last start, Price has pitched four times (three starts and a mid-game appearance). He has allowed four runs over 14-2/3 innings (a 2.45 ERA) on 12 hits and four walks while striking out 14.
“He did everything he needed to do to help us win a ballgame,” Roberts said of Price.
CD Projekt's Pawel Sasko tells the inspiring tale of how an Estonian beet farmer in Australia became a senior quest designer on The Witcher 4
Yesterday I ignored 10 tornado warnings to finish a Destiny 2 raid, didn't get the exotic drop, and disappointed my fiancée. Is there some sort of lesson here?
Двадцать пять человек за одним столом под звуки караоке – это было шедеврально!
I didn't expect my favorite cozy MMO to do a crossover with a Finnish children's series
Yesterday I ignored 10 tornado warnings to finish a Destiny 2 raid, didn't get the exotic drop, and disappointed my fiancée. Is there some sort of lesson here?
Жителям юга России ограничили электроснаблжение из-за сбоя на Ростовской АЭС
Специалисты «Россети Новосибирск» - участники крупных молодёжных форумов
Командарм Попов из-под следствия убыл // Фигурантов громкого дела освободили из СИЗО
