 for a two-run homer to break open a tight game. Kemp leads all active players with 44 homers against the Rockies.That wasn't all from the Dodgers outfielder: He threw out Charlie Blackmon at the plate in the first inning when Blackmon tried to tag up on a fly.Tied at 4 going into the seventh, the Dodgers erupted in a long inning that included six hits, three walks, three pitching changes and 12 batters. The sellout crowd simultaneously cheered and booed thanks to a large contingent of L. A. fans.This was the second time the Rockies have allowed eight or more runs in an inning this season. They surrendered nine in the seventh against San Diego on April 23.Dodgers infielder Breyvic Valera had three RBIs - the first three of his big-league career. Reliever Pedro Baez (2-3) earned the win.Just like that, the Dodgers are right back in the thick of the NL West race after falling behind by nine games on May 8.''We were written off in April,'' manager Dave Roberts cracked.Trevor Story had three hits and DJ LeMahieu added a two-run double for the Rockies, who fell to 1-4 versus the Dodgers this season.TRAINER'S ROOMDodgers: RHP Kenta Maeda (hip) was slated to play catch Saturday. ... The Dodgers are working toward getting LHP Rich Hill (blister) to the point where he can go 75 pitches and five innings in a simulated game. ... Roberts said LHP Julio Urias (elbow surgery rehab) could be pitching in games by the end of July. ... LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (strained groin) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Saturday.DOUBLE DUTYDodgers left-handed reliever Scott Alexander pitched a clean seventh after starting and recording four outs in Friday's game.START OF SOMETHINGThe starters on Saturday were the same as when the Rockies beat the Dodgers 2-1 on May 21 in Los Angeles. Only this time, Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler and Rockies righty German Marquez weren't nearly as sharp.Buehler's undoing was the second inning, when the rookie allowed more runs (4) than he did in his last two starts combined (2).Marquez threw a career-high 114 pitches over six shaky innings.He did set the Dodgers down in order in the first. That's significant because entering the game 14 of the 30 runs Marquez has allowed this season have come in the opening frame.UP NEXTDodgers: LHP Alex Wood (1-4, 3.75 ERA) has a 4-3 all-time mark against Colorado heading into the series finale Sunday.Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis (4-1, 3.68) is 29-14 overall at Coors Field in 109 career games that includes 80 starts.---More baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball)
Rockies hope to get more hits from LeMahieu and win vs. Dodgers 12m ago• 3 min read DENVER -- Second baseman DJ LeMahieu was reinstated from the disabled list Friday and gave the Colorado Rockies an immediate boost with a four-hit game.It did not result in a win as the Rockies were handed an 11-8 loss in the opener of their three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.The Rockies hope to get a productive game from LeMahieu and a win over the Dodgers Saturday night.After missing 15 games with a broken left thumb, LeMahieu led off for the Rockies and singled on each of his first four at-bats. He finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, raising his average to .299 and his OPS to .835.The four hits tied LeMahieu's career-high. It was 11th career four-hit games and second this year. He also had four hits at Washington on April 12"In my opinion, he's one of the better players in the National League," Rockies manager Bud Black said of LeMahieu, a two-time All-Star, who has won two Gold Gloves and a batting title. "When you're without him, it takes its toll. It's great to have him back, because he's such a steady, dependable player."Solid all the way around (on) defense, offense. In (the) game, on top of everything. Poised. I think he brings a confidence to the rest of the group, just an unflappable style of play that I think rubs off on guys." LeMahieu's production was spoiled by Colorado allowing homers to Matt Kemp, Chris Taylor and Yasiel Puig.Those homers helped the Dodgers win for the 11th time in 15 games and Saturday's matchup features two promising 23-year-old right-handers on the mound.German Marquez will start for the Rockies while Walker Buehler gets the start for the Dodgers.Marquez is 4-5 with a 4.21 ERA but is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his last two starts. He pitched seven innings at Dodger Stadium on May 21 and did the same Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.Marquez traces his recent success to a quicker tempo after being too deliberate on the mound and to having more of an attack mentality. He has allowed seven hits and four walks with 11 strikeouts in his past two wins.Buehler is 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA and like Marquez also owns a 1.29 ERA in his last two outings. Buehler opposed Marquez May 21 in Los Angeles and allowed a homer to Gerardo Parra among two hits in seven innings during a no-decision.He followed up his start against Colorado by limiting the San Diego Padres to one run on four hits in seven innings in Sunday's 6-1 win.For the season, Buehler has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his seven starts and has nine walks, 48 strikeouts in 41 innings."With what we've been going through, Walker has been huge for our ballclub," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.Eighty percent of the Dodgers' regular starting rotation is on the disabled list.After coming off the disabled list and pitching five innings Thursday, Clayton Kershaw went back on it for the second time this season Friday and Roberts said he will be out over a month with a lower back strain. Other starters on the disabled list include Rich Hill (finger blister), Kenta Maeda (strained right hip) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (pulled groin muscle).Alex Wood is still on the active roster but has been dealing with hamstring cramps in recent starts. His scheduled outing Friday was pushed back to Sunday in the series finale with the Rockies, so Wood could have more rest before pitching at the high altitude."It absolutely won't destroy us," Wood said. "It's not ideal. Missing 80 percent of your starting rotation, the shortstop (Corey Seager, sidelined for the season following Tommy John surgery), and it goes on and on. We have guys to plug in, and it gives guys runways."
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