DENVER: On a day Cody Bellinger had a homer negated as a consequence of a baserunning mistake, the Colorado Rockies performed loads of small ball to beat the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 Thursday of their season opener.
The Rockies scored runs courtesy of a squeeze play, two wild pitches, a groundout, an error and three RBI singles.
Colorado began off on the proper foot in opposition to Clayton Kershaw and the perennial NL West-champion Dodgers, who owned a 22-7 document over the Rockies the final two seasons.
Reliever Chi Chi Gonzalez picked up the win in permitting three runs over two innings. Daniel Bard pitched a shaky ninth however obtained Mookie Betts to line out with the bases loaded to select up the save as 20,570 followers had been allowed into Coors Field.
This marked the primary time Colorado opened in Denver since 2011.
It was a tricky day for the Dodgers on the bottom paths.
Bellinger hit a homer and was referred to as out earlier than he may end his trot.
Bellinger lined what gave the impression to be a two-run homer to left-center within the third inning. The ball hit off the glove of outfielder Raimel Tapia and bounded over the fence. Justin Turner was on first base on the time and believing the ball was caught, retreated again to the bag. Bellinger handed Turner within the confusion and the umpires dominated Bellinger out.
Officially, Bellinger was credited with a single and an RBI, however no residence run. Rockies second baseman Chris Owings picked up the putout on the loopy play for being the closest fielder.
This was a uncommon rocky season opener for Kershaw (0-1), who allowed 10 hits and 6 runs, 5 earned, over 5 2/3 shaky innings. In his earlier eight opening day begins, Kershaw’s 1.05 ERA was the bottom of any pitcher (minimal 40 innings) since 1913, eclipsing the marks of Bob Feller (1.21) and Jim Palmer (1.40). Kershaw’s ninth opening day begin despatched his ERA to 1.73.
Dodgers reliever Jimmy Nelson allowed two runs within the seventh courtesy of untamed pitches to make it 8-4.
Rockies starter Germn Mrquez gave up six hits, walked six and allowed one run over 4 innings.
TRAINERS ROOM
Dodgers: C Austin Barnes left within the seventh inning after showing to harm his hand on an in depth play on the plate following a wild pitch.
Rockies: LHP Kyle Freeland (strained left shoulder) and INF Brendan Rodgers (strained proper hamstring) had been positioned on the 10-day injured record.
NEW SEASON, SAME GOAL
Entering the season because the defending champions doesnt really feel any completely different to Turner.
Its the identical pleasure, the identical buzz, the identical alternative in entrance of us, he mentioned.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Sometimes, shortstop Trevor Story will look over at third base and swear Nolan Arenado remains to be round. Josh Fuentes has a resemblance to Arenado and occurs to be Arenado’s cousin.
Fuentes stepped in at third for Arenado, who was an eight-time Gold Glove winner for the Rockies earlier than being dealt to St. Louis within the offseason.
I all the time inform him I’ve to take a double-take to decipher him and Nolan typically, Story mentioned.
UP NEXT
Reigning NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer makes his Dodgers debut in opposition to Colorado on Friday. Bauer was 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA final season for Cincinnati. Rockies righty Antonio Senzatela was 5-3 with 3.44 ERA in 2020.
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