Rutledge Powers Rockies To 3-1 Win Over Dodgers
Powered by a four-hit night from Josh Rutledge, the Colorado Rockies (40-68) won in L.A. for the second evening in a row, topping the Los Angeles Dodgers (59-52) 3-1. Rutledge's output included three doubles and all three RBIs. The final game of the series is tonight at 8:10 MT at Dodger Stadium (TV: Root Sports).
Colorado starter Alex White battled through four innings. Although he held the Dodgers to just one hit, he walked five, forcing the Rockies' bullpen to take over earlier than he and manager Jim Tracy might have hoped. But Josh Roenicke (4-0) followed White with three strong innings, also giving up just one hit.
Their efforts, and those of shortstop Josh Rutledge, spoiled what was otherwise a stingy outing from Dodgers starter Aaron Harang (7-7), who gave up just one run in his first six innings before giving up two more in the seventh.
Official: Tuesday's Box Score.
Rutledge, who was promoted from Double-A Tulsa in July, drove home all three of those runs, the first on a fifth-inning double and the others on a seventh-inning two-bagger. The 23-year-old, filling in at short for Troy Tulowitzki, also hit a double in the first inning and a single in the ninth to give him a career-high four hits and seven total bases.
"Rutledge just had a terrific game tonight -- two huge hits, drove in all the runs ... he has played tremendously, that's all you can say," Rockies' manager Jim Tracy said.
Also stellar Tuesday was Roenicke, who spoiled several Dodger scoring chances, as Los Angeles went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position while stranding nine. One of those chances came in the seventh inning, when an A.J. Ellis walk and Shane Victorino single gave the Dodgers two men on with two outs, and Jerry Hairston the only man between the limited remaining options in the Colorado bullpen and the powerful heart of the L.A. order. Roenicke fell behind 3-1 before battling back to induce a fly ball, ending the threat.
That out helped the Rockies' pitching staff finish off its second straight impressive performance, notable for a group that has struggled to string them together this season. It also added up to a rough night for the Dodgers.
Tickets are available for the Rockies’ next home game at Coors Field vs. the Milwaukee Brewers on August 13th, and can be purchased by calling (800) 388-ROCK, or click here.
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