Rockies edge Dodgers 2-1 on Gonzalez’s pinch-hit single
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Dodgers brought a four-game winning streak back home and couldn't get out of their own way.
Three hits, three errors and Matt Kemp getting thrown out diving back into first base to end the game added up to a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
''It was a kind of cool ending to the game,'' Rockies catcher Tony Wolters said.
The Dodgers returned home after sweeping three games against Washington. But they fell to 8-14 in Los Angeles after having the best home record in the majors last season.
''We didn't get any offense,'' manager Dave Roberts said.
Pinch-hitter Carlos Gonzalez drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single in the eighth inning, German Marquez pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and Gerardo Parra homered for the Rockies, who moved into first place in the NL West ahead of slumping Arizona. Colorado has won five in a row at Dodger Stadium.
''Marquez threw a great game and his adjustments out there were pitch to pitch,'' Wolters said. ''He was making really good adjustments and he had his game plan. He executed and threw his curveball, threw his slider, threw a bunch of changeups. He mixed. That's Marquez.''
Los Angeles committed two errors in the eighth and another in the ninth in the first of 19 meetings with the Rockies this season.
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler was impressive despite not figuring in the decision. He gave up one run and two hits in a career-high seven innings, striking out six and walking none.
With one out in the eighth, Wolters walked against Pedro Baez (1-3), stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Yasmani Grandal. After Pat Valaika struck out, Gonzalez reached on the infield single to second base, scoring Wolters to put Colorado ahead.
''I got on base. That's the number one goal, I'm trying to get on base,'' Wolters said. ''I got a good walk and Carlos came up clutch. He's the best out there. He's getting hot.''
Chase Utley backhanded the ball and threw to first. It bounced once and went over Cody Bellinger, leading to the Dodgers' second error of the inning. Gonzalez took second before Charlie Blackmon popped out to end the inning.
Utley's second error of the game came in the ninth.
The Dodgers had just one runner reach base in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings - all on walks.
Marquez (3-5) allowed one run, struck out five and walked two. Wade Davis pitched the ninth for his major league-leading 17th save in 19 chances.
''The key for me was my tempo and my aggressiveness,'' Marquez said. ''I was able to stay in the moment. I was trying to be one pitch at a time and I accomplished that pretty well.''
Kemp was thrown out to end the game when he tried to scamper back to first base after taking a step toward second on an infield single. Wolters backed up the play and retrieved a throw that got away. He tossed the ball to first baseman Ian Desmond in time to get Kemp as he made a headfirst dive back to the bag.
''Fortunately for us, Matt made what looked like a quick attempt to second,'' Rockies manager Bud Black said. ''Tony realized it and flipped to Desi and Desi was on it with a nice tag.''
Roberts acknowledged Kemp did take a step toward second base and said the play was not reviewable.
Parra homered into the left-field pavilion leading off the fifth, tying the score at 1.
Los Angeles led 1-0 on Max Muncy's leadoff homer in the fourth.
Justin Turner went 0 for 4 in his first home game of the season since coming off the disabled list during the Dodgers' road trip. He hit into an inning-ending double play in the eighth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (left biceps tendinitis) will throw 30-40 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday and a three- or four-inning simulated game on Saturday. If that goes well, Roberts said the team will figure out when Kershaw can return. Roberts said Kershaw is no longer bothered by the tendinitis that sent him to the DL after his start on May 1.
GETTING CLOCKED
Buehler was hit in the ribs by a 108 mph line drive off Trevor Story's bat in the fifth, but grabbed the ball and tossed underhand to first to get the out after Parra's tying homer. He bent over to catch his breath before being checked by a trainer. Buehler tossed some practice pitches before staying in the game. ''That didn't feel good,'' Buehler said. Roberts said X-rays were negative. ''Staying in there and giving us two more innings was huge,'' Roberts said. ''That just shows the fight. We're learning a lot about him pretty quickly.''
UP NEXT
RHP Chad Bettis (4-1, 3.27 ERA) will start Tuesday's game for Colorado. The Dodgers will call up RHP Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City before the game in anticipation of him either starting or coming out of the bullpen. He has a 2.08 ERA over 21 2/3 innings in the minors.
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This story has been corrected to show game-ending play wasn't reviewable.
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