The Colorado Rockies have been struggling. In case you haven't been watching baseball, they've lost 10 of their last 12. However, as deceiving as that stat may be, their last three games they've lost by a combined four runs.
The Rockies, who started 3-1, have been disappointing this season. After being swept by the Dodgers earlier this season, and losing their first two in their latest series, it looked as if the Rockies were going to get swept by Los Angeles again.
However, Jason Marquis was on the hill today. Marquis, who was traded from the Cubs in January, has been arguably the Rockies' best starter this year. Marquis was 2-1 entering today's game, and has been easily been the most consistent.
Today, the Rockies came into the game with a must win attitude. Entering today's game against the Dodgers, Colorado is already seven games back through just 16 games.
When the game started today, it looked as if it'd be the same old, same old for the Rockies. Marquis had runners on first and second base with two outs, but got catcher Russell Martin to ground out to second. After a 1-2-3 inning for Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the first inning was over.
In the second inning, both pitchers retired the side in order, with a strike out on both sides from Rockies' third baseman Garrett Atkins, and Dodgers' outfielder Matt Kemp.
In the third inning, Marquis walked both Clayton Kershaw and Juan Pierre, putting runners on first and second with no outs. After Orlando Hudson grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, Andre Ethier flied out to center fielder Dexter Fowler. Marquis got out of the jam with no damage done.
In the bottom of the third inning is when the Rockies started to score their runs. After Chris Iannetta drew a lead-off walk, Clint Barmes hit a two-run home run to left field, his second homer in three days.
After another walk, this time to Troy Tulowitzki, Ryan Spilborghs hit another home run to left field. Rockies up 4-0.
Another inning retired without any runners getting on base for Marquis, but Kershaw matched Marquis by doing the same thing. Another perfect fifth inning for Marquis, in the bottom half of the inning is where the Rockies would strike.
The inning started with Barmes grounding out to Kershaw. Then pitcher Jason Marquis singled to center, and Dexter Fowler singled to right. Thanks to a great hustle play by the pitcher, Marquis advanced to third base.
This would be a key play that would lead to extra runs in the fifth. After Tulo struck out swinging, the Rockies would pull off five runs without recording a single out in the inning.
Spilborghs, who hit the home run in the third inning, singled in Marquis, and advanced Fowler to second. After a wild pitch, runners would be on second and third base.
Garrett Atkins was intentionally walked, and Brad Hawpe was unintentionally walked with the bases loaded.
After Clayton Kershaw was pulled from the game, Jeff Baker, who was hitting .095 at the time, tripled over Matt Kemp's head and drove in three runs. Kershaw would be on the hook for nine earned runs.
After a five-run fifth inning, the Jason Marquis lost the shutout after a James Loney double, where Juan Pierre and Orlando Hudson scored.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Barmes hit a lead off single, was advanced with a sacrafice bunt by Marquis, and was driven in thanks to a single by Dexter Fowler. This is Fowler's first career three-hit game.
In the top of the seventh, Marquis struggled just a bit. After having runners on first and third with two outs, Marquis escaped the jam without giving up any runs.
When Will Ohman relieved Scott Elbert, Ohman retired the side in order, and struck out one.
In the eighth inning, with Marquis still pitching, Andre Ethier flew out to right, and with that Marquis became the first Colorado Rockies pitcher this season to pitch past the seventh inning.
However, after giving up back-to-back doubles, Marquis gave up the baseball to Huston Street, and received a standing ovation from the fans in attendance. After Street walked Matt Kemp, he retired the rest of the Dodgers en route to a 10-3 lead through the eighth inning.
In the last inning Manny Corpas came in for Street. Corpas struggled as he gave up two consecutive singles with no outs. Thanks to a great play by center fielder Dexter Fowler where he robbed Orlando Hudson of a double, Corpas recorded his first out. After an infield single, the bases would be loaded for James Loney with one out. Loney, who hit two doubles and a single earlier in the game, grounded out to first and scored a run. With two outs and Russell martin up to bat, Martin struck out to end the game.
Overall, the Rockies played an excellent game and thrashed the NL West leading Dodgers.
With a 10-run, 11-hit performance, and a pitching gem thanks to Marquis where he pitched eight innings and gave up just two runs, Marquis really gave the Rockies the opportunity to take home the victory. This was just the fourth time a pitcher for the Rockies has gone seven or more innings this year.
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