The Los Angeles Dodgers bats have surprisingly gone cold as they have managed just one run in the first two of a three-game series at Coors Field. As a result they’ve dropped both games to the Colorado Rockies by a combined score of 15-1.
Rich Hill, who was set to start Tuesday night, threw his warmup pitches but the game was then called due to rain. The rainout forced a split doubleheader to be scheduled Wednesday, with Ross Stripling and Hill set to start the two games for the Dodgers.
While Stripling took the mound for the afternoon matchup, Hill was scratched as a precaution. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and the training staff determined Hill’s blister was too tender from his warmup the night prior.
Hill has made just one start since coming off the disabled list due to the blister trouble that’s plagued him since early July. The Dodgers shift gears to a bullpen game that has Bud Norris making the start.
In a combined 32 games (18 starts) this season with the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, Norris is 6-10 with a 4.64 ERA, 4.05 FIP and 1.40 WHIP. He’s 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA since coming to Los Angeles.
The 31-year-old has not faired very well at Coors Field in his career as he owns a 13.50 ERA in five games (two starts). Last season Norris allowed an unearned run in two innings pitched across three relief appearances at the Rockies’ home ballpark.
Rookie right-hander Jeff Hoffman gets the start for Colorado in the nightcap of the doubleheader. This will be Hoffman’s third career Major League start, and he enters 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA.
In 22 starts with Triple-A Albuquerque, Hoffman went 6-9 with a 4.02 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. He was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2014 draft and came over to Colorado in the trade that sent Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto.
The Dodgers’ offense is 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position through the first two games of the series. Dating back to Sunday’s 1-0 win against the Chicago Cubs they are 0-for-20 in such instances.
Adrian Gonzalez, Corey Seager and Justin Turner also started the first game of the doubleheader.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Josh Reddick
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Andrew Toles
P: Bud Norris
Rockies lineup:
CF: Charlie Blackmon
2B: DJ LeMahieu
3B: Nolan Arenado
LF: David Dahl
RF: Gerardo Parra
1B: Stephen Cardullo
C: Nick Hundley
SS: Cristhian Ademes
P: Jeff Hoffman
