Tap The Rockies: Tapia, Blackmon fuel Rox rally in second straight over Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers held a three-run lead but blew it to the Colorado Rockies, losing 5-4 and dropping their 13th game in their last 14 attempts.

Darvish had given up just one hit (the CarGo homer) going into the fifth inning and held a 4-1 lead but left the frame having given up the lead and recording just one out. Alexi Amarista started things with a one-out double to left and Jonathan Lucroy followed with a walk, bringing up the pitcher’s spot. Manager Bud Black decided Marquez’ night was done and went with rookie Raimel Tapia who has struggled in a pinch-hit role this season.

Tapia was the only Rockie in the game with multiple RBI.

In arguably his most important at-bat of the season, Tapia hit a blooper into shallow left-center field that would go down as a two-RBI double when center fielder Joc Pederson‘s diving attempt came up just short. Charlie Blackmon then pulled a double just inside the first base bag to score Tapia and tie the game and DJ LeMahieu scorched the Rockies third straight double down the left field line to give Colorado a 5-4 lead.

The Rockies took and early-yet-short-lived lead in the top of the first on Carlos Gonzalez‘ second home run in as many days. Gonzalez has been on fire lately and it could be a key factor for the entire National League down the stretch.

But Los Angeles immediately jumped all over Rockies rookie starter German Marquez to take a commanding early lead. Curtin Granderson led things off with a single up the middle and Justin Turner ambushed a high-and-tight fastball to launch his 19th home run of the season. Cody Bellinger reached on a rare fielding error from DJ LeMahieu and Joc Pederson drew a two-out walk before Austin Barnes could come through with a jam-shot single to right, putting the Dodgers ahead 4-1.

The Dodgers got the leadoff runner to second base in the sixth against Chris Rusin when Enrique Hernandez reached on an infield single and advanced on a throwing error by Alexi Amarista. But Rusin struck out Curtis Granderson and got a fly out from Corey Seager to bring one of the best hitters in baseball, Justin Turner, to the plate with two outs and the tying run at second. After manager Bud Black simply pointed to his head indicating that his most reliable reliever — and one of the best all-around in MLB – simply be smart with Turner, Rusin employed a tactic that has bothered the Dodgers third baseman before. Rusin fell behind 2-0 but then tossed three straight quick-pitches to freeze Turner with a backward K.

Rusin stayed on in the seventh and issued a one-out walk to Yasiel Puig but otherwise worked a clean inning. He has been among the best relievers in baseball in 2017 and he needed to be in this one.

Pat Neshek came on in the eighth and walked Chase Utley to lead things off — a big no-no — but struck out Yasmani Grandal and got a pair of pop outs from Granderson and Seager.

Greg Holland was called upon to secure the eighth straight shutout inning for Colorado pitching and his NL-leading 38th save of the season. He got Turner to fly out to center, struck out Bellinger, and

With his fifth-inning, go-ahead RBI double, Blackmon his MLB-leading 193rd hit of the season and also his 30th two-bagger of the year. LeMahieu extended his hitting streak to 16 games.

Colorado 76-65 . With the Brewers and Cardinals both winning, the Rockies maintain a three-game lead in the NL Wild Card race.

Game 3 of the series will see Chad Bettis take on Alex Wood as the Rockies go for a road-series win in LA.