The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on the Colorado Rockies earlier and created separation in the middle innings to open the unofficial second half of the season with a 10-4 win at Coors Field.
Thrust into starting the series opener because Antonio Senzatela was among several Rockies who were placed on the COVID injured list, Chi Chi Gonzalez ran into immediate trouble. Mookie Betts opened the game with a double, Justin Turner was hit by a pitch and Will Smith walked.
Cody Bellinger delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded to provide the Dodgers with a lead they never relinquished. Having spent the week in Denver for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, Chris Taylor connected on a three-run homer before Gonzalez could get through the inning.
Julio Urias upheld the 5-0 lead until surrendering a grand slam to C.J. Cron in the third. But the Dodgers answered right back in the fourth inning behind a two-run double from Will Smith.
Five runs in the first inning? Picking up right where we left off. pic.twitter.com/v8mkwgVZoJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 17, 2021
Score more runs? 10-4. pic.twitter.com/HFvPtamvgK
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 17, 2021
Betts added to the Dodgers’ lead with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning and Smith provided more insurance with a second two-run double of the game. He finished the night 2-for-4 with the pair of extra-base hits and a team-high four rBI.
Betts had a third consecutive multi-hit game and second in a row with three.
Dodgers bullpen backs Urias
Urias was removed at 89 pitches with two outs in the sixth inning and replaced by Phil Bickford. The right-hander ended the sixth and got one out in the seventh inning before giving way to Garrett Cleavinger.
He induced an inning-ending double play and was followed in the game by Jake Reed and Jimmie Sherfy. Friday marked the first time Cleavinger, Reed and Sherfy pitched in the same game since doing so for the Oregon Ducks in 2013.
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