Clayton Kershaw and J.D. Martinez power Dodgers to victory in Colorado.
Los Angeles Dodgers #28 J.D. Martinez (DH) hit his 300th career-home run in the top of the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies. Photo by Laura Domingue/TGSportstv1.
DENVER, COLORADO – The champagne was uncorked again as the bat of J.D. Martinez and Clayton Kershaw's arm powered the Los Angeles Dodgers (44-34) to a 5-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies (31-50) at Coors Field Tuesday night.
Martinez blasted two home runs for the Dodgers, including his long-awaited 300th career homer. On the other side of the ball, a fatigued Kershaw took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before finally giving up a hit and pulling himself at the end of the inning.
"I haven't pitched well here in a while, so it was good to have a good outing here," said Kershaw, who had lost his last three games in Colorado.
The 35-year-old Kershaw (9-4, 2.72 ERA) came into the game as one of the top pitchers in the NL, currently vying for a spot as the starting pitcher in next month's All-Star game. On the other side of the mound, Laguna Hills native Connor Seabold struggling (1-3, 5.88 ERA), took the hill for the Rockies.
The Dodgers got to Seabold early, loading the bases in the second inning. James Outman then battled Seabold in a 10-pitches 3-2 count in the top of the second inning, fouling off several pitches before scoring Max Muncy on an RBI single.
Colorado Rockies #9 Brenton Doyle (CF) broke up the Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter with a single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Photo by Laura Domingue/TGSportstv1.
It was Muncy's first game back after a stint on the IL. David Peralta scored next on a Miguel Rojas sacrifice fly, giving the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Martinez smashed a two-run home run scoring Freddie Freeman and giving the boys in blue a 4-0 lead. Martinez's slugging should not have come as a surprise as he came into the game as the fifth-best Dodgers hitter at Colorado with a career .438 BA in Coors Field.
Kershaw was perfect through four innings before walking Elias Diaz to lead off the fifth inning. The Dodger defense had his back through as CJ Cron grounded into a double play.
Los Angeles Dodgers #22 Clayton Kershaw (LHP) had a no-hitter spoiled in the bottom of the sixth inning by Colorado Rockies Brenton Doyle (CF). Photo by Laura Domingue/TGSportstv1.
In the sixth inning, Martinez hit his 300th career home run giving the Dodgers a 5-0 lead. Martinez was oblivious to the moment.
"It wasn't even in my head today," said Martinez. "When Peralta greeted me, the first thing he said to me was congratulations, I was like congrats!" Then I was like, 'Oh crap, that was 300!"
Martinez had been sitting on 298 since June 10th, and today, his two home runs ended his 12-game homer-less streak.
Kershaw's no-hitter was broken up by Brenton Doyle, who singled in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Rockies. Kershaw picked him off moments later to end the inning and his night after only seventy-nine-pitches.
As he left the mound, his body language seemed to indicate something was wrong, and he seemingly mouthed, "I'm done," to manager Dave Roberts.