Los Angeles Dodgers @ Colorado Rockies (9/19/20) — Final: LAD 6, COL 1

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Fueled by Clayton Kershaw’s dominance, the Los Angeles Dodgers cruise to another victory over the Colorado Rockies, 6-1.

Chi Chi Gonzalez got two outs before allowing a bloop base hit to Justin Turner in the opening frame. Cody Bellinger proceeded to work a walk, and Chris Taylor smacked a triple up the line that gave the Dodgers the early edge, 2-0. Clayton Kershaw went to work and allowed a leadoff double to Raimel Tapia. After stealing 3rd, Tapia scored on Nolan Arenado’s ground-out to cut the Rockies deficit in half, 2-1. Gonzalez worked an easy frame to start the second, and Kershaw erased a single with a double-play of Josh Fuentes before striking-out Matt Kemp in the bottom half. After doubling with two-down in the top of the third, Turner was left stranded. Kershaw ending the inning quickly, and Taylor smashed a solo home run to center field to start the fourth, making it 3-1 LA. Colorado went down on seven pitches in their half, and Gonzalez and Kershaw traded perfect frames in the fifth. Bellinger erased Turner’s walk with a double-play in the sixth, and after Garrett Hampson led-off the home half with a single, he was picked off. Kershaw, working very efficiently, faced the minimum and ending the inning at only 78 pitches. AJ Pollock went opposite-field for a solo shot to begin the seventh, giving the Dodgers a 4-1 lead. Austin Barnes, following a hit-by-pitch, stole 2nd. Mookie Betts reached on an infield single to put runners at the corners with two-outs, and Barnes scored on a wild pitch during Max Muncy’s at-bat. Subsequently, a failed pick-off attempt with Betts at 2nd resulted in him scoring thanks to some savvy and aggressive base-running, pulling LA ahead 6-1. Kershaw, prior to striking-out Charlie Blackmon, got a double-play to erase a single, concluding the inning as well as one of his finest outings of the year. In control and attacking the zone, Kershaw was nothing short of fabulous at Coors Field: 7IP, 1ER, 4H, 0BB, 6K and the win. Bellinger singled and Taylor walked in the eight, but they were left stranded. Jake McGee was given the bottom frame and he worked around a leadoff double to send the game to the ninth. The Dodgers went quietly offensively, and Kenley Jansen was given the ball in a non-save situation. He struck-out Ryan McMahon on three-pitches, worked a soft line-out of Tapia, and a line-out of Trevor Story to complete a clean frame, ending the ballgame.

The boys in blue win their fifth straight game and secure the series victory over Colorado. The magic number to clinch their eighth straight National League West title is three, and they’ll look to lower it further, along with sweep the Rockies, tomorrow. Tony Gonsolin, 1-1 with a 1.51 ERA, has been stellar all year and looks to continue is tear against a struggling lineup. Antonio Senzatela, 4-2 with an ERA of 3.30, has matured and taken the role of being the ace for the Rox. He looks to lead his squad in a must-win, as the final playoff spot fades farther and farther away. Sunday matinee matchup, 12:10pm first pitch. Go Dodgers!