Electrifying Comeback: Dodgers Rally for 11-9 Victory Over Rockies
In a game filled with dramatic swings, the Los Angeles Dodgers orchestrated a breathtaking 11-9 comeback victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night, leaving fans at the stadium electrified. The game featured pinch-hitter Jason Heyward’s grand slam and Teoscar Hernandez’s three-run homer in a stunning seven-run ninth inning. This memorable victory marks the Dodgers' first win after trailing by five or more runs in the ninth inning or later in 1,137 consecutive games, dating back to 1957.
The Historic Ninth Inning
Heyward’s fourth career grand slam, which came off Rockies' reliever Tyler Kinley, was the catalyst for the Dodgers' remarkable ninth inning. This pinch-hit grand slam followed walks by Andy Pages and Miguel Vargas and a single by Miguel Rojas. Heyward's fourth homer of the season barely cleared the right-field foul pole, fueling the Dodgers' comeback.
Teoscar Hernandez added to the fireworks with his own three-run homer, making the score 11-9. It was the first time in the Dodgers’ 140-year history that they hit both a grand slam and a three-run homer in the ninth inning.
Controversy on the Field
Hernandez’s heroics were not without controversy. On a 1-2 fastball, he took a half-swing that first base umpire Lance Barksdale ruled did not constitute a committed swing. Colorado manager Bud Black vehemently argued the call and was subsequently ejected. Hernandez then sealed the comeback with his 18th home run of the season, prompting Colorado’s right fielder Jake Cave to confront Barksdale after the game, claiming the umpire’s call cost them the game.
Gritty Performances from Both Teams
The Rockies initially seemed in control, with Elehuris Montero and Brenton Doyle hitting homers and four runs in the first inning. Doyle, who had a career-high four hits, including three singles, preserved an 8-4 lead in the seventh inning with a diving catch on Shohei Ohtani’s liner to right-center field. Despite these efforts, the Rockies were unable to stymie the Dodgers' late surge.
Dodgers’ starter Walker Buehler struggled, giving up eight hits and seven runs over four innings. It was his first time allowing more than three earned runs since returning from Tommy John surgery on May 6. Nevertheless, the Dodgers' bullpen, highlighted by reliever Michael Petersen's strong two-inning debut, kept the game within reach. Petersen struck out two batters and helped set the stage for the ninth-inning rally.
Quotes from the Clubhouse
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts praised his team's resolve: "It was quality at-bats up and down the lineup. Jason was ready when called upon. Teo, he keeps coming up with big hits. That inning, certainly, the results showed the fight, the compete."
Heyward, describing his pivotal grand slam, shared: "I wasn't sure if it was going to stay fair or not. It's Colorado, so maybe that helped it straighten out a little bit. I was like, 'Come on, squeak in, squeak in.' I honestly feel like we got rewarded for our process in the ninth."
Hernandez reflected on his game-changing home run: "It was close. You can call it either way, and it will be fine. When Jason hit the grand slam, and turning the lineup over to Ohtani, you know something was going to happen. I just wanted to get a good pitch to hit to tie the game. I put a little extra, and it went over the fence. I knew it as soon as I hit. It felt great, especially because it put the team ahead."
Colorado’s Cave expressed his frustrations over the crucial call: "When I'm running in (before the last of the ninth), he looked me right in the face and goes, 'Cave, it's not even close.' Everybody in the world could see it was at least close. And he did swing. It's a big game. It's one of the best teams in baseball, and we're battling with them. That game's won on that swing. That's a swing-and-miss; the game's won, and we beat the Los Angeles Dodgers."
Petersen commented on his major league debut: "It was crazy. You can't feel anything. It's like your first date; you are tripping over stuff. But awesome."
Wrapping Up
With this win, the Dodgers improve their record to 6-2,619 in games where they trailed by five or more runs in the ninth inning or later. They continue to dominate the Rockies, boasting a 73-32 record against them since 2018. This game, highlighted by Heyward’s and Hernandez’s heroics, will be remembered as a testament to the Dodgers' resilience and determination in the face of daunting odds. Meanwhile, the Rockies will lick their wounds after losing five of their last six games and look to bounce back from this gut-wrenching defeat.