Dodgers beat Rockies 5-2, stretch NL West lead to 5 1/2

Wed, Jul 6, 2022
MLB News (AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Max Muncy and Mookie Betts hit first-pitch home runs to power the Los Angeles Dodgers past the last-place Colorado Rockies 5-2 on Tuesday night.

The victory pushed the Dodgers' NL West lead to 5 1/2 games over San Diego, their largest of the season.

Rookie right-hander Ryan Pepiot (1-0) started in place of Mitch White after being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day. The 24-year-old Pepiot allowed one run and four hits over five innings in his fourth big league start. He struck out a career-high six and walked one.

Brusdar Graterol pitched the ninth to earn his second major league save, both in the past week.

Colorado's Kris Bryant went deep for the first time since last September, ending a career-worst homerless streak of 38 games. His solo shot off Phil Bickford in the sixth eluded the glove of a leaping Cody Bellinger at the wall in center. Bryant has gone 10 for 29 in seven games since coming off the injured list a week ago.

After Will Smith drew a leadoff walk, Muncy connected for a two-run shot off German Marquez (4-7) in the second inning, putting the Dodgers ahead 2-1. Muncy was 2 for 2 with two walks.

Betts added a solo shot - his 18th - in the third.

The Dodgers extended their lead to 4-1 on Justin Turner's RBI single that scored Muncy, who doubled leading off the fourth.

Trayce Thompson's RBI single gave the Dodgers an insurance run with two outs in the eighth. He hit a three-run homer in their 5-3 win on Monday.

Marquez gave up four runs and six hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked three.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: OF Chris Taylor had a CT scan that revealed a fracture in his left foot. He got hurt last weekend and left Monday's game when it swelled. ... Los Angeles closer Craig Kimbrel had a CT scan, but the results weren't immediately known. He took a line drive off his back last week. ... LHP Andrew Heaney (left shoulder inflammation) threw a 30-pitch bullpen. "He's still a ways down the road," manager Dave Roberts said. ... RHP Blake Treinen (right shoulder) played catch a day after throwing 30 pitches off a mound. He's not expected back before August. "We have one bullet to get him back and do it right," Roberts said. ... RHP Dustin May, still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has been throwing to hitters, but there's no timetable for him to begin a rehab assignment.

UP NEXT

Rockies: RHP Jose Urena (0-0, 3.52 ERA) makes his Colorado debut after being signed to a minor league deal in mid-May. He last started on June 29 against Triple-A Sugar Land, allowing three runs and eight hits in six innings.

Dodgers: White (0-1, 3.93) is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA and eight strikeouts in three games against the Rockies.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports