Narrative Statements:
In a game filled with dramatic swings, the Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious over the Colorado Rockies with an electrifying 11-9 win on Tuesday night. This win broke a daunting streak, as the Dodgers had previously lost 1,137 consecutive games when trailing by five or more runs in the ninth inning or later, a streak dating back to 1957. Only the Mariners had a longer active losing streak in such scenarios, with 1,234 losses without a win.
An Unprecedented Ninth Inning
The Dodgers’ win was highlighted by a remarkable seven-run ninth inning, the most they had scored in the ninth since 2004 against the San Francisco Giants. Jason Heyward initiated the rally with a pinch-hit grand slam, the fourth of his career, off Rockies pitcher Tyler Kinley. Heyward's slam followed walks by Andy Pages and Miguel Vargas, and a single by Miguel Rojas, bringing the Dodgers within striking distance.
Teoscar Hernandez further added to the momentum with a three-run homer, his 18th of the season, making the score 11-9. This marked the first time in the Dodgers’ 140-year history that they hit both a grand slam and a three-run homer in the ninth inning.
Controversy and Drama
The game was not without its share of controversy. Hernandez narrowly avoided a strikeout on a half-swing at a 1-2 fastball, with first base umpire Lance Barksdale ruling that Hernandez did not commit to the swing. This decision prompted a heated response from Colorado manager Bud Black, who was ejected from the game for arguing the call. Hernandez’s ensuing three-run shot secured the Dodgers’ lead, causing further frustration for Rockies players and coaches.
Rockies right fielder Jake Cave was particularly incensed, confronting Barksdale after Hernandez's homer and having to be restrained by bench coach Mike Redmond at the end of the game.
Individual Performances Shine
Several standout performances dotted the game. Dodgers starter Walker Buehler struggled, allowing eight hits and seven runs over four innings. This was the first time the 29-year-old right-hander had given up more than three earned runs since returning to the rotation after Tommy John surgery.
Conversely, Shohei Ohtani made significant contributions for the Dodgers, hitting a 476-foot homer in the fifth inning and adding a single off Rockies pitcher Victor Vodnik. Freddie Freeman also maintained his discipline at the plate, receiving his sixth walk over the last two games.
On the Rockies' side, Elehuris Montero and Brenton Doyle both homered. Doyle also added three singles for his first career four-hit game and saved two potential runs with a diving catch of Ohtani's line drive in the seventh inning, preserving an 8-4 lead at the time.
Quotable Moments
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts praised his team's resilience, stating, "It was quality at-bats up and down the lineup. Jason was ready when called upon. Teo, he keeps coming up with big hits. That inning, certainly, the results showed the fight, the compete."
Jason Heyward reflected on his grand slam, saying, "I wasn't sure if it was going to stay fair or not. It's Colorado, so maybe that helped it straighten out a little bit. I was like, 'Come on, squeak in, squeak in.' I honestly feel like we got rewarded for our process in the ninth."
Teoscar Hernandez shared his thoughts on his pivotal homer: "It was close. You can call it either way, and it will be fine. When Jason hit the grand slam, and turning the lineup over to Ohtani, you know something was going to happen. I just wanted to get a good pitch to hit to tie the game. I put a little extra, and it went over the fence. I knew it as soon as I hit. It felt great, especially because it put the team ahead."
Rockies’ Jake Cave was vocal about the controversial call, stating, "When I'm running in (before the last of the ninth), he looked me right in the face and goes, 'Cave, it's not even close.' Everybody in the world could see it was at least close. And he did swing. It's a big game. It's one of the best teams in baseball, and we're battling with them. That game's won on that swing. That's a swing-and-miss, the game's won, and we beat the Los Angeles Dodgers."
For reliever Michael Petersen, who worked two innings and struck out two in his major league debut, the game was a whirlwind: "It was crazy. You can't feel anything. It's like your first date; you are tripping over stuff. But awesome."
Looking Ahead
The Dodgers, who have now won four of their last five games, continue their strong performance against the Rockies, boasting a 73-32 record against them since 2018. Meanwhile, Colorado faces challenges ahead, having lost five of their last six games.
This game will undoubtedly be remembered for its incredible comeback and dramatic ninth inning, showcasing the unpredictable and thrilling nature of baseball.