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 A six-run rally in the sixth inning boosted the Dodgers to a 7-4
victory Friday night over the Rockies before 43,328 fans at Dodger
Stadium.
Shortstop Justin Turner and third baseman Juan Uribe each drove in
two runs as the Dodgers (92-68), who captured the National League
West title on Wednesday, won their third in a row and handed the
Rockies (66-94) their third setback in four games.
Los Angeles seemed to be feeling the effects of a post-celebration
hangover from its title-clinching victory over the San Francisco
Giants two days ago, but Turner, Uribe and first baseman Scott Van
Slyke shook the Dodgers from their doldrums.
"I feel like we played, and that's the one thing you want the guys
to do, go out there and play hard," Dodger manager Don Mattingly
said. "I think the day off yesterday was good for us to get the
celebration out of the way. Guys aren't going to have the same
intensity that we've had before or that we're going to have when we
get into the first round, but I also think they understand that
there is going to be four days off."
Van Slyke's run-scoring hit cut Colorado's lead to 3-2 before Turner
drove in two more runs for the lead in the sixth. Uribe added
another two-run single for a 6-3 Dodgers' cushion. Pinch hitter
Darwin Barney delivered a sacrifice fly for a four-run lead.
"It was fun," Barney said. "It was a good inning for us."
Dodgers reliever Scott Elbert (1-0) earned his first win since July
3, 2012. Elbert, who missed all of last season with elbow problems,
struck out the only batter he faced.
Dodgers starter Roberto Hernandez allowed three runs on six hits
with four walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, but he did
not figure into the decision.
Colorado's Jordan Lyles (7-4) was charged with five runs on eight
hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked none.
"He threw the ball better than whatever his line ended up," Colorado
manager Walt Weiss said. "Gave up some soft hits in the six. He's
done a nice job for us."
First baseman Justin Morneau and Ben Paulsen, who replaced Morneau,
homered for the Rockies. Morneau, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs,
took the lead from Josh Harrison of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the
National League batting race. Morneau finished the night with a .319
batting average to .318 for Harrison.
"Very cool to see the season (Morneau's) put together," Weiss said.
"One of those guys you pull extra hard for. He's doing it right up
until the last out of the season."
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Weiss said Morneau's home run was one of the hardest hits he's seen
this season.
"To hit the ball the opposite way, the big part of the field at this
place at night, you don't see that happen very often," Weiss said.
Colorado second baseman DJ LeMahieu left the game in the sixth
inning with a left knee sprain. He is listed as day-to-day.
Second baseman Dee Gordon, who went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles,
lined a leadoff two-bagger to left and scored on a base hit by
center fielder Yasiel Puig in the first inning for a 1-0 Dodgers'
lead.
The Rockies rallied with three runs in the third as Lyles, who
opened the inning with a double and advanced to third on a bunt
single by left fielder Charlie Blackmon, came home on an error by
Gordon with no outs. Morneau launched a two-run homer to center off
Hernandez for a 3-1 Colorado advantage. It was the 17th home run of
the season for Morneau.
NOTES: Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said club officials discussed
allowing LHP Clayton Kershaw to possibly pitch an inning or two in
Sunday's game as a tune-up for the playoffs, but opted for a
simulated game instead. ... Injured Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu threw a
bullpen session Friday and Mattingly was encouraged by his progress.
Ryu, sidelined since Sept. 12 with shoulder inflammation, is
scheduled to throw another bullpen session Sunday. The Dodgers are
counting heavily on Ryu to be their No. 3 starter in the postseason.
... Rockies 1B Justin Morneau entered the game batting .342 with two
home runs and 16 RBIs in 20 career games against the Dodgers.
Morneau was hitting .345 with a homer and 10 RBIs in 16 previous
games this season against Los Angeles.
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