Márquez goes six vs Dodgers, helps Rockies end 7-game skid

By DOUG PADILLA
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Germán Márquez gave up one hit over six innings to help the Colorado Rockies end a seven-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers hit a home run for the Rockies, who were victorious for just the second time since Sept. 19.

Trayce Thompson had two of the three hits for the Dodgers, who missed out on becoming the first National League team to at least 111 victories since the Chicago Cubs in 1906. The Dodgers wrapped up the best record in the major leagues and home field throughout the playoffs with a victory over the Rockies on Friday.

Dodgers starter Tyler Anderson, who is expected to assume the No. 3 spot in the rotation when the playoffs begin, tied a career high with 10 strikeouts in five innings.

“Obviously you don’t want to go out with a loss, but I think for the most part, I made pretty good pitches,” Anderson said. “I feel like I’m in a good spot so I’ll take that overall. Obviously you would like a little more length as well but in general, I feel healthy, which is good.”

The Rockies jumped out to a 1-0 lead two batters into the first inning when Rodgers knocked one deep to center field for his 12th homer of the season. Colorado made it a 2-0 in the third inning, with Yonathan Daza singling with one out and scoring from first base on a two-out double from Ryan McMahon.

The Dodgers didn’t manage their first hit and run until the bottom of the third. Gavin Lux walked and Thompson followed with a single to put runners on the corners. A Cody Bellinger sacrifice fly that just missed being a three-run home run scored Lux.

Márquez (9-14) gave up three walks and struck out eight in ending his three-start losing streak. He entered 0-3 in four starts against the Dodgers this season.

“Germán, right from the get-go, struck out the side after Brendan’s homer,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “It got him in a good spot. He mixed his pitches and had good use of the fastball as well as the changeup. … He was outstanding.”

The Dodgers’ second hit came off Daniel Bard — an infield single from Thompson to lead off the eighth inning. Bellinger reached base on an error by Colorado first baseman Michael Toglia. But Bard escaped the jam by striking out Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith.

Colorado tacked on two more runs in the ninth against Dodgers rookie right-hander Andre Jackson.

Bard also pitched the ninth for his 33rd save and finished with six strikeouts.

The Rockies are 66-93 and will finish in last place in the NL West, but Black did not want to diminish the importance of the victory.

“It feels good to win, it does,” Black said. “Competitive people want to win. We have a lot of competitors in that room.”

Anderson (15-5) gave up two runs on six hits with no walks.

“I thought it was a good outing for him, he’s had a tremendous season for us and I know he’s excited about this next step,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Anderson, who has just two postseason appearances and none since 2018.

TRAINERS ROOM

Dodgers: RHP Michael Grove was placed on the injured list with a left knee contusion after he was hit by a C.J. Cron line drive Saturday, and was replaced on the roster by Jackson. … 3B Justin Turner (shin) returned to the lineup after last playing Tuesday. … OF Chris Taylor missed his second-consecutive game with a neck strain and is considered day-to-day.

UP NEXT

Rockies: RHP Jose Urena (3-8, 5.24 ERA) made his Colorado debut July 6 against the Dodgers, giving up one run over 6 2/3 innings.

Dodgers: RHP Tony Gonsolin (16-1, 2.10) is expected to return from the IL after recovering from a forearm strain.

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