The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to six games with a 6-1 victory against the Colorado Rockies on the night they officially retired No. 34 in honor of Fernando Valenzuela.
The day started with a pregame ceremony that included Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten, Sandy Koufax and senator Alex Padilla, among other current and former players and celebrities to celebrate the career of Valenzuela before the No. 34 was unveiled in the Ring of Honor on the club level down the left-field line.
From there, the Dodgers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Freddie Freeman singled home David Peralta. However, the Rockies came back to tie the game in the fourth inning on a base hit from Brendan Rodgers.
The Dodgers once again took the lead in the fifth when Amed Rosario grounded into a force out when he beat the throw to first base, which allowed Mookie Betts to score by avoiding an inning-ending double play. L.A. never looked back from their 2-1 lead and continued to build on it in the sixth inning.
Fernando forever.#Dodgers officially retire No.34. pic.twitter.com/guiCYLKbeM
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 12, 2023
Freddie Freeman singles with the bases loaded to drive in the game's first two runs. pic.twitter.com/Ys8nu6bGs3
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 12, 2023
Curve getting more chases. pic.twitter.com/alHiefAz4l
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 12, 2023
Four-spot in the sixth! pic.twitter.com/BCUbJwCDTo
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 12, 2023
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/vCCxVZAiDO
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 12, 2023
A walk from James Outman and a single by Chris Taylor put two on for Peralta, who doubled in a run against former teammate Justin Bruihl. Miguel Rojas was then hit by a pitch to load the bases.
That followed with another hit by pitch, this time with Betts batting and Jake Bird pitching, giving the Dodgers a 4-1 lead. With the bases loaded, Freeman drove a ball to the wall, which should have been caught, but Jurickson Profar let the ball fly right past his glove, giving the Dodgers another run and a 5-1 lead.
Will Smith added one more run in the inning with a sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers their five-run cushion. From there, the pitching staff continued to shut down the Rockies’ offense to earn the victory.
Dodgers pitching shines in win
Lance Lynn pitched five innings, giving up just one run on four hits while striking out nine en route to earning the win. Caleb Ferguson and Alex Vesia each worked a scoreless inning following Lynn.
Yency Almonte pitched 1.2 scoreless, attempting to close out the game before he was removed with a right knee injury. Ryan Braiser recorded the final out.
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