Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The first hour of Wednesday’s series finale at Coors Field between the Dodgers and Rockies was playing out while trade deadline news was swirling in the background. The Dodgers made a couple of moves, acquiring Jedd Gyorko from the Cardinals and left-handed reliever Adam Kolarek from the Rays.
Here’s how everything went down in real time. In the first inning, we got news of the Dodgers first trade of the day.
#Dodgers acquiring Jedd Gyorko from #STLCards, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2019
The Dodgers have acquired infielder Jedd Gyorko, international cap space and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for LHP Tony Cingrani and RHP Jeffry Abreu.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 31, 2019
This one was sort of odd, but it does make sense. With Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor on the injured list, Andrew Friedman was looking for some infield reinforcements. It makes me worried about the injuries to Hernandez and Taylor, but the trade deadline is a hard one this season. This looks more like an August trade in order to provide some extra infield depth until Kiké and CT3 are healthy.
Rocky Gale was then sent to the Rays for cash considerations.
#Rays acquiring Rocky Gale from #Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations, sources tell The Athletic.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 31, 2019
Meanwhile, the Dodgers and Rox were definitely playing like it was getaway day. The first base hit of the game didn’t come until the top of the third when Alex Verdugo hit a leadoff single against German Marquez. That was quickly erased when Kristopher Negron hit into a double play.
The Dodgers also announced mid-game that the Blue Jays claimed Brock Stewart off waivers.
RHP Brock Stewart was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 31, 2019
Stewart went 2-3 with a 5.46 ERA and 1.607 WHIP in 36 career games (11 starts) over four seasons at the major-league level with the Dodgers.
Bye-bye Brock Brock.
In the bottom of the third, Cody Bellinger gunned down a runner at home to prevent the Rockies from taking a lead. That’s Bellinger’s ninth outfield assist, most in the majors.
BREAKING: @Cody_Bellinger throws out another runner. pic.twitter.com/aznc6jOIVB
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 31, 2019
In the middle of the fifth frame, we got word that the Dodgers did complete one additional trade.
#Dodgers acquiring Adam Kolarek from #Rays in exchange for Niko Hulsizer, sources tell The Athletic.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 31, 2019
Left-handed batters have hit .187 against the 30-year old southpaw this season in 54 games (43.1 IP).
One of the biggest trades of the day was Zack Greinke to the Astros.
#Astros traded Beer, Josh Rojas Corbin Martin, Bukaskas for Greinke and cash from #diamondbacks
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2019
We’ll have more on the trades, so stay tuned.
Obviously these conservative moves put a lot more pressure on the bullpen arms they already have. Here’s hoping Joe Kelly‘s hot streak is for real.
Let’s get back to the game. While warming up before the seventh inning, Marquez had to be helped off the field with “full body cramping.” He had thrown six shutout innings against the Dodgers with 10 strikeouts.
Bud Black was forced to go to the bullpen earlier than he wanted to. He brought in left-hander Jake McGee to face the Dodgers’ lefties. After the leadoff walk to Max Muncy, McGee struck out Matt Beaty, Bellinger and Corey Seager.
Nearly lost in the trade deadline hullabaloo was Hyun-Jin Ryu‘s gem of a start. He went six shutout innings, allowing just three hits with one strikeout and one walk on 80 pitches (51 strikes).
Dave Roberts went to Pedro Baez in the home half of the seventh. After a 1-2-3 inning by Baez, the rare scoreless Coors Field battle continued to the eighth.
Four of the eight Dodger hits came off the bat of Verdugo. His third hit, off Scott Oberg, came with one out in the eighth. Negron followed with a single, and the Dodgers were finally in business. Justin Turner popped out, and Joc Pederson drew a walk to load the bases for Muncy. He flied out to center on the first pitch, and that was that for the threat.
Kelly then pitched a scoreless inning in the eighth, and the beat went on. The scoreless tie was finally broken up in the ninth. Bellinger walked and Seager singled with one out, then Will Smith did it again. He crushed a three-run homer off Wade Davis, his fifth dong with the Dodgers.
Verdugo followed with his fourth base hit of the day, then Negron took Wade deep with a two-run shot and the Dodgers stunned the Rockies with a five-run ninth. Negron has two home runs in two games as a Dodger.
Can't leave Denver without putting on a show. pic.twitter.com/qfez1Phh2o
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 31, 2019
JT Chargois got the ball in the bottom of the ninth and he served up a leadoff triple to Trevor Story. Nolan Arenado then got the Rockies on the board with an RBI single. With nobody out, Roberts brought in Kenley Jansen. He only needed five pitches to retire the side and secure the victory.
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With the series win, the Dodgers wrap up July with a 14-10 record. They’re 71-39 overall and 31-25 on the road.
The Dodgers turn the page on the calendar to August and start the fresh month at home Thursday night. They open the 10-game homestand with a four-game set against the Padres (50-57). Clayton Kershaw (9-2, 2.85 ERA, 3.37 FIP) looks to build upon a solid month of July after going 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA and 12.6 K/9 in four starts (25 IP). The Friars start left-hander Joey Lucchesi (7-5, 4.12 ERA, 3.91 FIP). First pitch is at 7:10 PM PST.
