Clayton Kershaw scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings, Josh Reddick slugged a grand slam in the seventh and the Dodgers moved within a game of clinching their fourth consecutive NL West title.
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They certainly did their part. The Rockies are a nice group at the plate but are in tough here against Hill who should have enough to get the Dodgers another big win.
Los Angeles continues to lead the NL West by seven games with seven to play after the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Padres 9-6, in San Diego in extra innings. The final outs were shown on the video board at Dodger Stadium, with fans booing when the Giants won. But we’ll save it for tomorrow, I guess.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were forced to put their celebration on hold, but still were a giddy bunch after routing the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. The last NL club to claim four division titles in a row was the Philadelphia Phillies, who won the NL East from 2007-11. They’ll get another opportunity to pour champagne Sunday afternoon when they host the Rockies in the final home game of the regular season, which will also serve as the final home game for retiring broadcaster Vin Scully.
“Any team would want to clinch anywhere but it’s always sweeter to clinch at home”, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Kershaw (12-3) struck out six and walked none to improve to 8-1 at home.
In his last three starts since coming off the disabled list, Kershaw has allowed just one unearned in 18 innings, with an ERA of 0.86 to go with 23 strikeouts and just one walk.
“Physically, I feel really good, ” he said. “I think you’re seeing the Josh Reddick that we wanted, and the reason the front office went out and got him at the deadline”.
Roberts said Kershaw’s fastball command and the depth of his slider as indications Kershaw had returned to form.
Rockies starter Chad Bettis was tagged for seven runs (five earned) on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. A two-run single by Pederson with the bases loaded boosted them to a 2-0 edge.
In the fourth, Rockies left-fielder Ryan Raburn dropped Chase Utley’s fly ball, allowing Pederson to score for a 5-0 Dodgers’ cushion. Turner went 3 for 3, drove in two runs and drew two walks.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to a Colorado Rockies batter during the …
Colorado’s run came on Pat Valaika’s first major league homer in the eighth off Jesse Chavez.
“There is thunder in that bat, ” Colorado manager Walt Weiss said.
The grand salami (yes, that’s what it’s called), was the fourth of Reddick’s career and the seventh for the Dodgers on the season. He’ll be replaced by RHP Brandon McCarthy. The Rockies are an interesting team as they have one of the best offenses in baseball but they are well back of a playoff spot now despite looking like a threat at the all-star break. The right-fielder is on fire in September, batting.397 with five doubles, two homers and eight RBI this month.
“August was a mixture of bad luck and bad swings, ” he said.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson hits a two-run single during the second inning of a baseball g …
The Rockies seemed to have broken up Kershaw’s ideal start an inning earlier, as Tony Wolters was called safe by first-base umpire Mark Ripperger on a slow grounder past the mound. With Adrian Gonzalez at bat, Justin Turner took off for second base. Gonzalez struck out swinging, and Wolters stood up and started walking off the field only to have Turner steal second with two outs. The Dodgers will get a third chance to try and solve Rockies rookie left-hander Tyler Anderson, who has allowed just two runs in two starts and 13⅓ innings against LA.
The Dodgers meanwhile added to their win total yesterday and are favoured again here with Hill on the mound and while he has had some issues with blisters since coming to Los Angeles he is having a remarkable season.
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Dodgers: McCarthy (2-2, 3.63) comes off a month-long stint on the disabled list with right hip stiffness.
