This was a big bounce-back series for the Dodgers as they won 2 of the 3 games in Los Angeles against the Colorado Rockies. After the Dodgers were embarrassed by the Giants, they needed to win this series not for the standings, but the morale of the team.
The Dodgers lost to the Rockies 9-6 in 10 innings on Friday July 23, 2021. David Price started the game for the Dodgers and went 5 and 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and struck out 4 batters. Two of the four hits unfortunately were two solo homeruns. Every Dodger starting position player besides McKinney and McKinstry had a hit in this game. Cody Bellinger had a great game, going 2-3 with a double and a triple. The injury bug keeps hitting the Dodgers as Bellinger was taken out of this game early as he reaggravated his hamstring injury. The Dodgers just can’t catch a break when it comes to injuries. This was a big blow for Cody Bellinger because this was the type of game he needed to break out of his season-long slump. Our bullpen failed us again this game. The bullpen gave up 6 runs, 5 of them being earned runs. I think Darien Núñez was the worst pitcher we could have thrown in this game. I still don’t understand why he is up pitching in the big leagues. He does not have the skill to pitch at this level right now and I am not sure he will ever be skilled enough. Jimmie Sherfy took the loss in this game after he gave up 3 runs on 2 hits, one of those runs being the runner starting on second base in extra innings.
The next game was a nail-biter for the Dodgers with a 1-0 win. After how bad the Dodger bullpen has performed these past couple of games, this was a nerve-racking game to watch. Tony Gonsolin started this game and pitched like the old Tony Gonsolin of last year. He threw 5 and 1/3 innings giving up zero runs on 2 hits. He ended up striking out 7 and walking only 2 batters. After Tony Gonsolin was taken out of the game, Alex Vesia, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen, and Kenley Jansen slammed the door shut giving up zero hits. This is the bounce-back the bullpen needed. Alex Vesia has been a nice surprise after he was called up on the 9th of July. Since his call-up, he has pitched 7 innings giving up only one hit and striking out 5. On the offensive side, the only Dodger batter to talk about is Austin Barnes. He is an extremely streaky hitter. Barnes usually doesn’t hit very well, but every now and then he heats up. Austin Barnes hit the solo homerun in the second inning and that is all the Dodgers needed in the game thank goodness.
In the rubber match between the Dodgers and Rockies, both teams starting pitchers shared the last name Gray. Josiah Gray was making his MLB starting debut for the Dodgers in the final game of this series going against Jon Gray of the Rockies. Josiah pitched only 4 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits. The two of the three hits Josiah gave up were solo shots. Unlike his last outing, he was a little erratic with his control. He ended up walking 4 batters, but he was able to get out of all the trouble he was in. That’s an encouraging sign for the young pitcher as he battles through adversity, he showed he can handle the stress. Chris Taylor was an absolute beast in this game, going 3-4 with 2 homeruns and a base hit. Will Smith hit the game-winning homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Dodger bullpen pitched well giving up no runs on 3 hits. It was nice to see guys like Jimmy Nelson and Brusdar Graterol pitch 3 big innings for the Dodgers.
This was a nice series for the Dodgers, but you must be careful because the Rockies are not a good team. Dodgers need to bring their A-game next series in San Francisco against the Giants. With the Dodgers down 2 games in the standings from the first-place San Francisco Giants, they can take over first with a sweep. After the Giants spanked us last series, we need to show up and play at our very best level. Hopefully, Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger will be back for the first game of the series. It seems like Corey Seager will not be back and he is most likely going to be playing some rehab games in Rancho Cucamonga.