Rockies outlast Dodgers to take first place in NL West

Sometimes they have Hollywood endings. Sometimes, they just end.

It wasn’t pretty but the Colorado Rockies hung on to win a pitcher’s duel in the first of three games in Los Angeles against the Dodgers by a score of 2-1.

German Marquez was excellent on the mound for the Rockies opposite a similarly impressive performance from Walker Buehler for the Dodgers, but a late infield hit from Carlos Gonzalez would prove to be the difference in this divisional battle.

Max Muncy broke up the scoreless tie with a solo home run on one of the very few mistakes that Marquez made in the game. It was a first-pitch fastball that caught just a bit too much of the plate. It was one of only two hits Marquez allowed in seven innings of work and it was the only run.

It was Muncy’s fifth home run of the season.

Oddly enough in a game that saw so little offense, the Rockies struck back in the next half-frame, getting a solo shot of their own off the bat of Gerardo Parra.

The Rockies went ahead in the top of the eighth in as unlikely a fashion as you are likely to see this season. Tony Wolters, who is batting .130, drew a one-out walk then surprised LA by stealing his second base of the season and advancing to third on a throwing error by catcher Yasmani Grandal.

With Pat Valaika striking out with one out, it was left up to pinch-hitter Carlos Gonzalez who managed to bounce one up the middle. Second baseman Chase Utley was able to cut it off but his throw was off balance and offline, allowing Wolters to score what would turn out to be the winning run.

Adam Ottavino earned his 11th hold of the season, working the eighth with a walk and a strikeout.

Wade Davis tallied his 17th save of the year, giving up a hit and striking out one in the ninth.

The game ended in an odd fashion when famous Rockie-killer Matt Kemp hit a groundball to the hole that Trevor Story made a strong throw on but Ian Desmond couldn’t quite handle at first. Wolters, doing what catchers have been taught to do for 150 years, backed up the play at first and caught Kemp who turned toward second and was unable to beat a throw back to the bag. Desmond put the tag on for the final out.

Colorado improved to 26-22 and overtook first place in the NL West by a half-game over the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are 19-11 on the road.

Final Stats:

German Marquez: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Adam Ottavino: 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K (H: 11)

Wade Davis: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K (S:17)

Gerardo Parra: 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, HR (3)

Carlos Gonzalez: 1-for-1, RBI

What’s Next:

The second game of the series takes place Tuesday night in La La Land. Chad Bettis will face a yet undisclosed pitcher for the Dodgers. First pitch at 8:10 Mountain Time.