[MLB] Colorado Falls to Dodgers After Pitching Gets Read Early

(Denver = Won Jeong) The Colorado Rockies struggled early as Dodgers hitters quickly picked up on their starter’s pitches, leading to a difficult outing at Coors Field on August 21.

Colorado rookie Chase Dollander took the mound as the starting pitcher. Dollander entered the game carrying a high ERA of 6.64. On this night, he leaned on his sinker and curveball as finishing pitches against the Dodgers’ lineup.

In the early innings, however, Dodgers batters adjusted quickly, connecting for several extra-base hits.

On the other side, Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw limited the Rockies’ offense to just three runs through six innings.

In the top of the fourth, Dollander surrendered a home run to Miguel Rojas, driving in Andy Pages and stretching the Dodgers’ lead to 7–1.

By that inning, Dollander had already thrown 97 pitches and was replaced by reliever Nick Anderson. His final line: 3.2 innings pitched, 9 hits allowed, 7 earned runs, leaving with a 6.91 ERA.

Kershaw, showing his veteran poise, stayed sharp into the sixth, throwing 85 pitches while keeping the game under control. Anderson followed with solid relief, giving up just one hit and one run with two strikeouts before handing the mound over to Jaden Darnell.

The Dodgers’ early offensive surge off Dollander proved decisive, as they scored all seven of their initial runs against him by the fourth inning.

The Rockies attempted a rally in the eighth. Batting third, Brenton Doyle launched a splitter from reliever Richard Sauer over the left-field wall for a two-run homer, cutting the deficit to 9–5.

Meanwhile, Dodgers infielder Kim Hye-seong is still rehabbing a left shoulder injury at Triple-A. Manager Dave Roberts praised the Korean player, saying, “Kim’s performance has been excellent. There’s tough competition at second base and shortstop, but his competitiveness stands out.”

Roberts added, “We hope he can return soon.”