Los Angeles

Nightmare Ninth for Rockies Gives Dodgers Wild, 12-10, Win at Coors Field

Chase Utley started off the three-game series in Colorado with a leadoff triple, he ended it two days later with a game-winning double. Utley hit a two-run double off closer Jake McGee and the Los Angeles Dodgers scored five runs in the ninth to stun the

DENVER – Chase Utley started off the three-game series in Colorado with a leadoff triple, he ended it two days later with a game-winning double.

Utley hit a two-run double off closer Jake McGee and the Los Angeles Dodgers scored five runs in the ninth to stun the Rockies 12-10 on Sunday afternoon in Denver.

"The game is never over here until the last out," Utley told SportsNetLA. "They battled and we battled and I'm happy we came out on top."

Both teams exchanged five-run innings in the eighth and ninth as Colorado came back off the Dodgers bullpen only to relinquish the lead to L.A. in the ninth.

"They put up five runs and we came back and we battled," Utley continued. "We kept the line moving, and passed the baton to the next guy. We did that and eventually we came out on top."

Utley and rookie Corey Seager capped off the comeback with back-to-back doubles in the ninth off McGeee (0-1). Seager had a great game, going 2-for-5 with a double, triple, three RBIs and a run scored.

The Dodgers blew the game open in the third inning as they built up a 7-1 lead, but Colorado chipped away until they finally completed the comeback in the bottom of the eighth.

Yasiel Puig had himself a game as he crashed a prom, crashed into a wall, and then crashed the Colorado party with a two-run triple in the second inning.

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Things weren't all roses for the Cuban slugger, however. Puig allowed a ground ball to glide under his glove with one-out in the bottom of the eighth inning as the go-ahead run scored on the error.

After a recent string of success, the Dodgers bullpen once again bit the bullet as the roller coaster ride for the relievers continued. After both Pedro Baez and Adam Liberatore worked out of jams in the sixth and seventh, setup man Chris Hatcher, surrendered the lead in the eighth after allowing a leadoff double, RBI single, and a walk.

Gerardo Parra had one of those singles, and recorded his best game in a Rockies uniform going 4-for-5 with a double, four RBIs and a run scored.

Luis Avilan relieved Hatcher, but didn't fare much better as he was unable to get an out, allowing two RBI singles and two walks before exiting the game.

Joe Blanton (2-1) picked up the victory making one pitch, a comebacker, that he quickly turned into an inning-ending double play to stop the bleeding for the boys in blue. 

"As long as there's outs, the game is never over," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told the media after the game. "To rally off a great closer like Jake McGee says a lot about our team. What a crazy day."

Alex Wood received a no-decision as he struggled  for the third time in four outings, allowing five runs on six hits with five strikeouts in just five innings of work.

"I thought Alex threw the ball well, I really did," said Roberts of his starter. "The wind was kind of tricky out there, a lot of misplays behind him, but overall, I thought he pitched well."

Adrian Gonzalez knocked in a run for the third consecutive game as he continues to conquer the mile-high minefield that is Coors Field.

Kenley Jansen worked the ninth inning, recording his MLB-leading ninth save of the season, he is a perfect 20-for-20 in save opportunities dating back to last season.

This game will always be remembered by the wild finish in the final two frames as both teams combined to score 10 runs, exchanging leads as fans in attendance experienced firsthand the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. 

Players of the Game:

Yasiel Puig: Two-run double.
Corey Seager:
2-for-5 with a double, triple, 3 RBIs and a run scored.
Gerardo Parra:
4-for-5 with a double, 4 RBI and a run scored.

Three Takeaways:

1. Robbin' Rockies: For the second time in three games, Yasiel Puig robbed the Colorado Rockies of runs at Coors Field. After he unloaded a rifle shot to rob rookie Trevor Story of a triple on Friday night, the "Wild Horse" made a leaping catch in right field, crashing into the wall to take away two runs from Colorado.

2. Crazy Stat: Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton became the fourth pitcher in franchise history to get the win by making only one pitch, and recording two outs. He's the first pitcher in blue to do that since Alan Mills on May 17, 2000.

3. Leading the West: The Los Angeles Dodgers won their fourth consecutive series and open up a two-game lead in the NL West. 16 of their first 19 games have been against NL West opponents. 

Up Next:

Dodgers (12-7): L.A.'s six-game road trip comes to an end as they head home to the confines of Chavez Ravine where rookie Ross Stripling will open a seven-game home stand on Monday against Miami at 7:10PM PST.

Rockies (9-9): Colorado hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field as Jorge De La Rosa heads to the mound for the Rockies at 5:40PM PST.

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