The Rockies’ 10-game road odyssey began with promise in St. Louis. It ended with a strikeout-filled reality check at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles beat the Rockies 7-3 Sunday afternoon to complete a four-game sweep in which Colorado hitters struck out 49 times and walked only twice. That’s right, twice.
The Dodgers extended their season-best winning streak to eight games. Colorado fell to 1-8 vs. L.A. this season.
When the Rockies traded veterans Mike Moustakas, C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk for pitching prospects, it ensured that their young players were going to get plenty of at-bats. It also ensured that there were going to be Jolly Green Giant-sized growing pains for young players, such as rookie Nolan Jones, who went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts Sunday.
“We (only) had five hits and we need more than that,” manager Bud Black told reporters in Los Angeles, repeating what’s becoming a common postgame refrain. “We scored six runs in four games, that’s tough against their group.
“The strikeouts started to mount up this series. Our two-strike approach has to get better, especially with some of the younger guys. We have to put the ball in a play a little bit more.”
Perhaps when veteran outfielders Charlie Blackmon and Kris Bryant return from injuries, they can bring some quality at-bats and help stabilize the offense. Blackmon, returning from a broken right hand, is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque. He should return to the Rockies this week.
There is still no timetable for Bryant’s return. He’s been on the injured list since July 22 with a broken left index finger.
The Rockies opened their trip by taking two of three games at St. Louis but ended up going 3-7 and riding a five-game losing streak as they limped back home.
Dodgers lefty Julio Urias dominated the Rockies for seven innings Sunday, striking out a career-high-tying 12. In innings five through seven, he struck out eight of nine batters, including seven in a row.
The bright spot of the game for Colorado was Alan Trejo’s two-run homer off Urias in the fourth to tie the game, 3-3.
The tie didn’t last long. Miguel Rojas blasted a two-out solo homer off Kyle Freeland in the bottom of the frame to give the Dodgers a 4-3 edge.
Los Angeles put the game away with a three-run sixth against right-hander Tyler Kinley, who gave up three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning. Kike Hernandez led off with a solid single, Kinley walked Max Muncy and Chris Taylor loaded the bases with a cheap infield single. Miguel Rojas drove in Hernandez with a sacrifice fly before Mookie Betts pounded a two-run double.
Freeland, who has not won a decision since May 14 and now has a 4-13 record, was charged with four runs on six hits over five innings. His ERA rose from 4.84 to 4.94.
The Rockies, who have lost 13 of their last 18, return home Monday to host Arizona at Coors Field. Colorado is on pace to finish the season 62-100.
Profar injured. Left fielder Jurickson Profar injured his left knee in the second inning while making a sensational catch on Mookie Betts’ drive to the wall. After the game, Black told reporters that he hoped Profar suffered only a bruised knee but said that Profar would undergo an MRI.
“I don’t think there is anything structurally wrong but we’ll know more tomorrow,” Black said. “He’s a little sore. He’s been battling that (sore) knee for a little while, so it just compounded it.”
Monday’s pitching matchup
Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (9-5, 3.05 ERA) at Rockies RHP Chris Flexen (1-1, 8.56)
6:40 p.m. Monday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Flexen is making his fourth start with the Rockies since being acquired off waivers from the Mets on July 13. In his last start, he got a no-decision in Colorado’s loss at Milwaukee, giving up five runs over five innings. In his three starts with the Rockies, he’s 1-1 with an 8.56 ERA. He’ll be making his fourth career start against Arizona. In the three previous games, Flexen was 1-1 with a 5.29 ERA. Kelly departed Wednesday’s loss to the Dodgers in the seventh inning with a right leg cramp but is still scheduled to start Monday night. Kelly allowed six hits and struck out two before exiting in what was a scoreless game at the time. In 10 career starts vs. Colorado, he’s 4-3 with a 4.26 ERA.
Pitching probables
Tuesday: Diamondbacks TBA at Rockies LHP Ty Blach (1-1, 4.22), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Wednesday: Diamondbacks TBA at Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (9-9, 5.33), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Off day
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