Ramirez 3-For-4 But Dodgers Lose 7-3, Drop Series To Rockies
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Hanley Ramirez went 3-for-4 but it wasn't enough as the Dodgers lost 7-3 and dropped their first series against the Rockies two games to one.
Josh Beckett was on the mound for the Dodgers as the club was trying to win its third consecutive series for the first time this season. After a rough first inning, it wasn't hard to tell that it would be a slow night.
Beckett walked the bases loaded to lead off the first inning after Eric Young reached on an error by Ramirez at shortstop, and Dexter Fowler singled. Troy Tulowitzki doubled home two runs, and the Rockies took a 2-0 lead with no outs on the board.
Ramirez prevented any further damage in the inning when rookie Nolan Arenado hit a liner towards the gap, and Ramirez made an impressive grab in the air to get out of the inning.
Then, in the bottom of the inning, Ramirez continued to show just how much the Dodgers missed his bat in the lineup when he doubled to the gap in right.
Adrian Gonzalez then connected on a 2-2 pitch for his third home run of the season to cut the deficit to a single run. The ball seemed to stay up, and right fielder Eric Young gave chase, but the ball dropped in the third row next to the visiting bullpen.
Beckett found himself in a jam again in the second inning with the bases loaded and two outs, but he was able to get Tulowitzki looking at a low fastball to end the inning. In the third, Beckett looked as though he was coming into his own, retiring the side in order, including striking out catcher Willin Rosario swinging for the second consecutive time, and getting Arenado to strike out looking at a breaking ball.
In the bottom of the third inning, Gonzalez connected again in his second at-bat and sent one deep to left center with two runners on and no outs. The ball went over the fence, but unfortunately for the Dodgers, so did Dexter Fowler's glove. Fowler made a remarkable catch at the wall, robbing Gonzalez of his second homer of the night and saving three runs from scoring.
The Rockies retook the lead when Carlos Gonzalez doubled in the fourth inning, bringing in two runs and solidifying Beckett's incomplete game.
Becket gave up five runs through four innings with six strikeouts to three walks.
The Dodgers now go up to San Francisco for a three game series, starting on Friday. Then the team will be back and won't be on the road again until May 17.
The good news is that Hanley Ramirez is providing a big spark at the plate since being activated from the disabled list earlier in the week -- the Dodgers just need to fan the flames.
