​The Los Angeles Dodgers were edged by the Colorado Rockies in game two of a three-game set, falling 4-3 on Tuesday. Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski delivered another strong effort, going seven innings for the third consecutive start and allowing just one earned run while recording nine strikeouts. Shohei Ohtani provided an early spark for Los Angeles, launching a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first inning to give the Dodgers their first run and marking his 300th career home run. Ohtani became the first Japanese-born player to join the 300-homer club with this first-inning blast, and he joined an elite group as the fifth-fastest player to reach the milestone.
Following the opener, the Dodgers’ offense stalled for several frames, but they finally pushed another run across in the bottom of the fifth. With bases loaded and one out, center fielder Andy Pages came to the plate and drew a four-pitch walk, forcing in a run to extend Los Angeles’ lead to 2-0. The offense couldn’t muster more in the fifth, as a pop out and a line drive out ended the inning without further scoring.
The Rockies answered back in the next half-inning, scoring one run on Jake McCarthy’s groundout with runners at second and third to cut the deficit to 2-1. Later, Alex Freeland pushed the Dodgers’ advantage back to two with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth, bringing home Tommy Edman, who had reached base earlier when an error allowed him to reach safely to start the frame.
Tied late, the game swung in Colorado’s favor in the eighth. Reliever Jack Dreyer replaced Wrobleski and promptly walked the leadoff man, then yielded a single two batters later. A grounder in play by Miguel Rojas produced an error at shortstop, allowing Kyle Karros to score and moving Cole Carrigg to third. Another throwing error on the ensuing play brought home Carrigg and Tyler Freeman, giving the Rockies a lead they would not relinquish. Evan Phillips entered for the ninth, retiring the first two hitters before surrendering a single and eventually finishing the inning with the third out.
The Dodgers showed life in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with no outs, but a pop-out, a flyout, and a strikeout from the top of the order ended the threat and sealed the defeat. Despite the loss, Los Angeles remains well ahead in the division, holding a commanding lead of about 14 games, and will attempt to close out the series on Wednesday in a 7:10 p.m. PT first pitch.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff delivered a quality start from Wrobleski, who continued his recent trend of solid performances, and Ohtani’s historic milestone added a bright note to an otherwise tight game. As the season progresses, the team will look to rebound quickly and maintain supremacy in the NL West as they approach the finale of this series.