Jorge De La Rosa Leads The Colorado Rockies Past The Los Angeles Dodgers, Earning A Series Win

Apr 27, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman Josh Rutledge (14) is congratulated at home by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) and first baseman Justin Morneau (33) after hitting a 3-run homer in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies have been waiting for their supposed ace pitcher Jorge De La Rosa to get back on track and Sunday afternoon was a good step towards their wish.

Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa hit a rough patch in the first two innings of Sunday’s rubber match against the Dodgers. He would give up a bunt single to Dee Gordon in the first, who would come around and score on an RBI single from Adrian Gonzalez to put LA up 1-0. De La Rosa would give up two more hits in the second inning to Tim Federowicz and Hyun-Jin Ryu but they couldn’t scratch a run. From the second inning on, JDLR didn’t allow a hit. He went seven strong innings, giving up four hits, one earned run, two walks, and three strikeouts.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado was a highlight reel in the field this game but led off the second inning with a single to center, extending his hitting streak to 17-games. After a Jorge De La Rosa infield single and Charlie Blackmon getting hit by a pitch, Brandon Barnes would drive in two crucial runs with a single up the middle, scoring Arenado and JDLR which was all the Rockies needed up 2-1.

Colorado would add-on in the top half of the sixth inning as Justin Morneau would double to left, extending a hit streak of his own to 11-games. Arenado would follow-up with a single to left, moving Morneau to third as he advanced to second on the throw. Josh Rutledge who got the start at second base cleared the bases with a three-run shot to left field, pushing the Rockies lead to 6-1.

Los Angeles would try to get a little rally going in the bottom half of the ninth inning as Rockies rookie Chris Martin loaded the bases with three hits from Scott Van Slyke, Hanley Ramirez, and Dee Gordon. He would eventually get Yasiel Puig to ground out to third, ending the game as the Rockies came into Los Angeles taking two out of three from the NL West favorites.

Notable Rockies Hitters:

• Charlie Blackmon: 2-for-4, 2B, 1 R.
• Brandon Barnes: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI.
• Justin Morneau: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 1 R.
• Nolan Arenado: 2-for-4, 2 R.
• Josh Rutledge: 1-for-4, 3-R HR.

Rockies Pitching:

• Jorge De La Rosa (W, 2-3): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO. 102 pitches, 60 strikes.
• Adam Ottavino: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO.
• Chris Martin: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 SO.

The Colorado Rockies (14-12) take two out of three from the Dodgers as they begin a three-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks tomorrow night in Arizona. Colorado will send lefty Franklin Morales to the hill as they will take on D’Backs lefty Wade Miley. First-pitch is scheduled for 9:40 PM ET, 7:40 PM MT.