Lyles, bullpen bowto Dodgers
Morneau regains lead in NL batting race with 2-for-3 night, lifting average to .319
los angeles » TheRockies are already searching for next year.
Searching for starting pitchers and relievers, in particular.
Friday night, during a game against the Dodgers, the search revealed a few things.
First, right-handed starter Jordan Lyles, though flashing promise, still has some work to do if he’s going to be a solid part of next season’s rotation. Second, the Rockies’ bullpen remains chock full of holes.
L.A. traffic eventually got the better of Lyles.
TheRockies led 3-1 entering the bottom of sixth inning when Dodgers pinch-hitterDarwin Barney led off with a single. Next, Dee Gordon, the Dodgers’ roadrunner of a second baseman, had a perfect bunt single down the third-base line. Scott Van Slyke and Justin Turner followed with run-producing singles, and just that quickly, the Dodgers led 4-3.
In came lefty reliever Franklin Morales, who poured gasoline on the fire bywalking two and allowing a two-run single to JuanUribe. Barney then hit a sacrifice fly off Rob Scahill, who finally doused the Dodgers’ rally.
Lyles didn’t pitch poorly, nor did he get hit particularly hard, but he continues to strugglewhen he ventures into the sixth inning. His line: 5L innings pitched, five runs and eight hits allowed.
The Dodgers struck quickly against Lyles. Gordon led off the first inning with a double and cruised home onYasiel Puig’s single to left. Lyles regained control, shutting out Los Angeles over the next four innings. But at press time, the Dodgers led 7-3 in the ninth inning.
Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau went 2-for-3 and regained the lead in the NL batting race. He is hitting .319.
It’s not easy to hit a home run in SouthernCalifornia, butMorneau mashed Roberto Hernandez’s floating sinker to deep left-center at Dodger Stadium for a two-run homer, giving the Rockies a 3-1 lead in the third inning.
Therewas scoreboardwatching on an individual level asMorneau contends for his first batting title.
Pittsburgh’s Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutchen lost ground in the batting race. Harrisonwent 1-for-4 in Cincinnati on Friday, dropping his average from .319 to .318. McCutchen alsowent 1-for-4, maintaining his .314 average with only two games left in the season.
TheRockies loaded the bases in the sixth inning. ButDodgers lefty reliever Scott Elbert got Charlie Blackmon to chase a 3-2, two-out slider out of the zone to quash the threat.