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Dodgers Routed By Rockies, 16-2, Drop Series

DENVER (CBSLA.com/AP) — Justin Morneau tied a season high with six RBIs, including five as part of an eight-run first inning against spot starter Carlos Frias, and the Colorado Rockies routed the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, 16-2, on Wednesday.

Morneau hit a three-run homer and a two-run single in the opening frame as the last-place Rockies chased Frias (0-1) after just two outs. Morneau and Carlos Gonzalez are the only Rockies players to drive in five runs in an inning.

Charlie Blackmon went 5 for 5 with a solo homer as the Rockies took two of three from the Dodgers. Los Angeles began the day with a three-game division lead over San Francisco, but trailed 15-0 after six innings against the team with the worst record in the league.

Morneau had three hits and a sacrifice fly, raising his average to .320 and leaping over Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison for the NL batting lead.

Jorge De La Rosa (14-11) gave up two hits in six scoreless innings to improve to 10-2 at home this season.

Frias gave up 10 hits, including seven straight to start the game, and eight runs. According to information provided to the teams by the Elias Sports Bureau, he's the first pitcher in the modern era to allow 10 hits while getting less than three outs.

The hard-throwing Frias didn't record a traditional out, either, in his 38-pitch appearance. He got one when catcher Tim Federowicz threw out Corey Dickerson on a steal attempt and another when Wilin Rosario tried to score from third on a squeeze play.

This hardly looked like the same Dodgers team that was coming off a big series win in San Francisco that included a 17-0 romp over the Giants. Los Angeles is chasing Washington for the best record in the NL.

The Dodgers needed an eight-run sixth inning to get by the Rockies on Monday, and then stranded runner after runner Tuesday in a 10-4 loss.

Once the Rockies roughed up Frias, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly steadily began taking out his position players as the Rockies set a season high for runs.

The Dodgers were hoping Frias could keep them close as he filled in for lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who's dealing with a sore shoulder.

No such luck.

With game already out of hand, Mattingly pulled Frias and summoned reliever Scott Elbert from the bullpen.

The one bright moment for the Dodgers came on a Darwin Barney solo home run. The bubble machine was most definitely not activated for the homer.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: SS Hanley Ramirez wasn't in the starting lineup for a second straight day due to a strained right elbow. Mattingly believes he will be ready to play in Chicago.

Rockies: 3B Nolan Arenado remains sidelined with a bruised chest and pneumonia.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: RHP Zack Greinke (15-8) takes the mound Thursday to begin a four-game series in Chicago against the Cubs. The righty needs nine strikeouts to reach 200 for the season.

Rockies: LHP Yohan Flande (0-5) moves back into the rotation after spending the last month as a reliever. He'll try for his first major league win when the Rockies host Arizona on Thursday.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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