Dodgers Can't Figure Out Nicasio, Shut Out By Rockies 3-0
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Juan Nicasio scattered three hits over seven innings to outduel Clayton Kershaw, and DJ LeMahieu went 3 for 4 with an RBI to help the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 on Friday night.
The Dodgers' five-game winning streak ended as they fell back to .500.
The Rockies were 3-8 in their previous 11 games, including a 6-1 loss in the series opener Thursday.
Nicasio (5-4) struck out three and walked one after being recalled from the minors. The right-hander was 0-3 with a 6.43 ERA in his last seven outings before being sent down on June 27. He was 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in two starts at Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Rafael Betancourt pitched the ninth to earn his 14th save in 15 chances.
Kershaw (8-6) struck out 10 and walked one and allowed three runs and six hits.
The left-hander had been 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA in his seven previous home starts against the Rockies, all victories. Kershaw came in with a 3.25 run support average, and didn't get any help.
Typical of Kershaw's up-and-down night was Charlie Blackmon's at-bat in the second. He fouled the ball off eight times before doubling on the 12th pitch.
Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez struck out all four times up, and Troy Tulowitzki went 0 for 3 with a walk. But the Rockies pieced together enough offense to stop the surging Dodgers, who were 16-3 in their previous 19 games.
Colorado took a 2-0 lead in the first on Tulowitzki's sacrifice fly to center that scored Dexter Fowler, who singled to lead off. Wilin Rosario followed with a two-out single up the middle that brought home LeMahieu, who singled.
LeMahieu's RBI single scored Nolan Arenado in the fifth for a 3-0 lead.
The Rockies loaded the bases in the eighth before Blackmon grounded out to end the threat.
Dodgers rookie sensation Yasiel Puig wasn't able to finish the game for the second time in two nights. He was removed after four innings for precautionary reasons due to a sore left hip, going 0 for 2.
