Matt Kemp blasted a grand slam as part of a five-run third, and the Dodgers held off the Rockies to pick up a three-game sweep in the daylight, 7-6. The win ended the away game part of the schedule for the Dodgers, who ended up 35-46 away from Chavez Ravine.
The Rockies were the first team to strike. In the second, Troy Tulowitzki got what seemed like his 700th hit of the season with a triple leading off. A sac-fly RBI by Todd Helton to right put them up 1-0.
The third is when the Dodgers broke the game open, at least for a little. With one out, Chin-lung Hu doubled. Carlos Monasterios popped up to make it two down. Trent Oeltjen got the start in the leadoff position and walked. Ryan Theriot then bounced one to third that was bobbled by Ian Stewart, and the bases were loaded. A walk to James Loney forced in a run and tied it at 1-1.
Kemp has had success in the past when hitting with the bases juiced. This season, however, he was 2-for-9 with no extra base hits. That all changed when he launched one off of Jhoulys Chacin into deep right to clear the bases and go up 5-1. It was his 25th shot of the season.
Miguel Olivo led off the bottom of the third and immediately got another run with a solo homer, making it 5-2. In the fourth, Reed Johnson hit a double leading off, went to third on a groundout, and scored on Hu's sac-fly to put it at 6-2.
Still in a hole, the Rockies tried to get some back in the bottom of the fourth, but blew a chance to really make a dent. Tulo singled, Helton walked, and Ryan Spilborghs singled to load the bases with one out. Stewart got one in on a groundout to cut the score to 6-3. Olivo was given the intentional pass to get to Chacin, who lined to short to end the inning.
Now in the fifth, Oletjen was beaned leading off, and soon went to second on Olivo's throwing error. An out later, Loney hit an RBI single, and the Dodgers got their lead up to 7-3.
Monasterios started the fifth but would soon be chased. Jonathan Herrera singled with an out, but Carlos Gonzalez lined to right for two outs. Tulo singled (again) and Helton walked, and once again the bases were loaded. Ramon Troncoso relieved and Spilborghs greeted him with a two-run single, and it was 7-5.
From there it was a matter of the Dodgers trying to hold on. The seventh inning featured the Rockies loading the bases yet again. Herrera singled, Tulo singled (like I said... again), and Spilborghs walked off of George Sherrill. Jeff Weaver came in (remember him?) and got pinch-hitter Melvin Mora to fly out and end the inning.
Hong-Chih Kuo pitched the eighth and struck out two, so Joe Torre gave the ball to Ronald Belisario to close it out. Well, it wasn't exactly pretty, because for the umpteenth time this game, the Rockies loaded the bases. This time it was on a walk to Tulo (at least it wasn't a hit), a single by Helton, and a single by Spilborghs.
With one out, Seth Smith got a run into on a groundout to make it 7-6. It all came down to Olivo, who hit a liner to short to end the game. It was Belisario's second save of a season he'd rather forget.
The Rockies doubled up the Dodgers in the hit column at 12-6. But, the two errors by the Rockies really hurt them. It led to the five runs being scored in the third, and another one on Loney's RBI in the fifth. It was a little surprising considering the they are one of the better fielding teams in the National League, but I guess it was just one of those days for them.
Kemp's grand slam was obviously the big blow, as his one swing was better than anything the Rockies did in their numerous attempts with the bases loaded. The Dodgers drove in runners today, while the Rockies left 11 on base. That was another big difference in this one.
Oletjen did a great job in the leadoff spot, taking three walks, getting beaned, and scoring twice. Loney hit his 87th RBI of the season, which is just near his normal mark of 90. His batting average is only .269, though, so he's taken a step backwards in that regard.
The bullpen was great today, which is never an easy task in Coors. Troncoso, Sherrill, Weaver, Kuo, and Belisario combined to pitch 4 1/3 innings for six hits, one run, two walks, and five strikeouts. It hasn't been an easy ride for the 'pen this year, as too many guys haven't come close to living up to their potential, but at least today they got the job done.
One positive aspect about getting the sweep is that the Dodgers are now 78-81. So, they have a chance at finishing at .500. It's a small consolation for a disappointing season, but avoiding a losing record would be nice.
The Diamondbacks come to town for the final three games of the season starting Friday. Starting pitchers don't really matter at this point, so it's subject to change, as was the case with Clayton Kershaw getting scratched today. For now, it'll be John Ely starting and trying not to get shelled for once. It won't be easy.
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