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Rockies' skid reaches season-high 4

By Thomas Harding and Joshua Thornton / MLB.com | 2:29 AM ET LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers got a solid start from ace Clayton Kershaw and took advantage of some wild Rockies

pitching to cruise to a 4-0 victory on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, becoming the second team in the Majors and first

in the National League to reach 50 wins.

Kershaw worked six scoreless innings with eight punchouts for his 11th victory of the season and 137th of his career,

moving the lefty past Johnny Podres for sole possession of ninth place in franchise history. The Dodgers have won a

season-high nine straight games, as well as each of Kershaw's last 10 outings.

"It's incredible. It just seems like every night you find a different way to win," Kershaw said, "and just the confidence you

have coming to the field like there's no way you're going to lose."

For the Rockies, their losing streak has reached a season-high four games after they lost control of the game early. Joc

Pederson's leadoff shot in the third inning gave the Dodgers 16 straight games with at least one home run, tied for third-

longest streak in franchise history. Pederson sent a first-pitch fastball from Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood 421 feet into

center field to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.

"We're playing really well," Pederson said. "It's fun to be a part of. We're going to continue sticking to what got us here and

try to keep it going."

MEDIA CLIPS – June 25, 2017

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Chatwood continued to struggle in the third. A single by Yasmani Grandal and an error by right fielder Raimel

Tapia allowed Justin Turner to score from first, padding the Dodgers lead to 3-0. One out later, Chatwood issued three

straight walks, the last to Kershaw with the bases loaded as the Dodgers took a 4-0 lead.

"When you face a guy like Clayton, that opposing pitcher is going to be jacked up," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

"There was some 97s from Chatwood, and he was max effort from pitch one. When you're doing that, it's hard to sustain.

When you take that on top of an offense that is very disciplined outside the strike zone, it gets tough."

Chatwood lasted just 3 1/3 innings and walked a career-high eight.

"I felt like I beat myself tonight, and that's pretty frustrating to go home to," Chatwood said.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Here's your chance … : The Rockies had dreams of a big first. DJ LeMahieu doubled, Nolan Arenado singled

and Mark Reynolds walked with one out. It took seven pitches for Kershaw to squash that hope, by fanning Ian

Desmond and Trevor Story.

"He's a good pitcher," Desmond said. "Today he got us. He is who he is for a reason, but we are who we are for a reason,

also. We've got to do better putting runs on the board for our starting pitchers, and that starts with me."

Yes, it was a 33-pitch inning to start the lefty's night, but he rebounded by shutting down the second and third on 10

pitches apiece, then he needed just 17 to strike out the side in the fourth.

"He's a strike-thrower," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "You look at walks per nine innings and his strikeouts, he's not

pitching around guys. He's coming at guys with three quality pitches."

That guy knows the strike zone, too: Chatwood entered with a 2.41 road ERA. He'd put together four straight quality

starts, and even had one at home. But it all fell apart during the three-run third that included four walks. The one that hurt

most was to Kershaw with the bases loaded -- on four pitches -- for the Dodgers' fourth run.

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STILL UNCLEAR, EVEN AFTER THE CLARIFICATION

In the bottom of the sixth with Chase Utley on third and Rockies lefty Chris Rusin pitching, the umpires asked Rusin to

declare whether he would use the windup or the stretch. Rusin is among the pitchers whose windup and stretch are

similar.

The batter was Turner, who is aware of Rusin's penchant for quick pitches. History says he dislikes it; before the rule for

double-play breakup slides expressly forbid it, he once slid over the bag and took out Arenado (who, in a shift, was

covering second). This was after Rusin had quick-pitched Turner.

So Turner asked umpires if Rusin could quick-pitch if he declared he was working from the windup. Third-base umpire

and crew chief Fieldin Culbreth said no. Rusin asked for a clarification, and a mound conference -- somewhat animated --

with umpires, players and Black ensued.

"They said I could alter it slower, but I couldn't alter it faster," Rusin said. "I asked why and they just said, 'You can't.'

That's all I know so far. I'm still confused."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The Dodgers' 16 straight games with a homer is tied for the franchise's third-longest streak since moving to Los Angeles

in 1957.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

In the sixth, Utley smacked a ball that likely would have hit off the right-field wall, but a fan reached over the wall and

caught it. The umpires called for fan interference and awarded Utley second base. The Dodgers challenged to make sure

the ball wasn't headed over the wall for a homer, but a review confirmed the ruling of a double.

WHAT'S NEXT

Rockies: Lefty Tyler Anderson (3-5, 5.75 ERA) makes his first start since May 30 -- before left knee inflammation sent

him to the disabled list -- in the series finale with the Dodgers on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. MT.

Dodgers: Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 2.87 ERA) will get the start in the series finale against the Rockies. The righty earned

his first win since June 6th in his last start against the Mets and sports a 2.87 ERA on the year. First pitch slated for 1:10

p.m. PT.

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Chatwood undone by career-high 8 walks By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | 3:19 AM ET LOS ANGELES -- Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood's mechanics deserted him again at Dodger Stadium on

Saturday night.

Chatwood tied a career high with eight walks in just 3 1/3 innings of a 4-0 loss to the Dodgers.

With strikes on just 41 of his 88 pitches, Chatwood gave up four runs. That is tantamount to giving the Dodgers the game

when Clayton Kershaw is pitching. L.A. is 93-0 when scoring at least four runs for the lefty ace.

Chatwood entered the game 2-0 with a 1.73 ERA in June. He was 3-0 in his previous four road starts. But he was shaky

from the beginning Saturday -- indicative of a season in which his control has shown up intermittently.

Four times he has walked just one, and another time he walked two. But Saturday was the sixth time he's walked four or

more.

"I don't think it's something that's really alerting," Chatwood said. "It's just one of those days where you feel lost a little bit.

Those are the times you've got to fight through it and give your team a chance to win. I was unable to do it tonight."

But what's going on around the rotation has at least the Rockies' fans, if not the club itself, sounding the alarm.

Chatwood's poor start came on the heels of unwinnable starts by rookies Jeff Hoffman, Antonio Senzatela and Kyle

Freeland. Now the Rockies have their first four-game skid of the season.

Help is arriving, with lefty Tyler Anderson facing the Dodgers Sunday in his first start since May 30 because he had to

nurse left knee inflammation. Jon Gray struck out six and gave up one run in five innings of a rehab start at Triple-A

Albuquerque on Saturday, but he walked four. Righty Chad Bettis is kicking up his attempted return from testicular

cancer.

Until all is settled, the Rockies need Chatwood -- their most experienced pitcher -- excelling.

"I felt like I beat myself tonight, and that's pretty frustrating to go home to," Chatwood said.

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He issued a walk in the first and two in the second, 1-0. But the outing fell apart after he gave up Joc Pederson's third-

inning leadoff home run on a first-pitch fastball. Chatwood walked the following hitter, and would walk five more --

including Kershaw on four pitches with the bases loaded.

Rockies manager Bud Black said he saw Chatwood's momentum going toward the left-handed batter's box more than

toward the target, and the bounced fastballs were a sign of too long of a stride. He also saw Chatwood "quick off the

rubber -- rushing, as we call it."

Chatwood, however, felt different.

"I didn't' feel like I was rushing today," Chatwood said. "Normally when you rush, you miss up. A lot of my misses were

down. Maybe I focused too much on trying to get back in the zone, rather than just throwing the ball like I normally do."

Figuring it out and taking it to the mound is the next step.

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Say what? Tapia talks to his bat By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | 1:09 AM ET DENVER -- Rockies rookie Raimel Tapia puts the bat to his nose and face when he skims a pitch foul. Those who

observe say the scent of leather, wood, pine and dirt -- set afire -- permeates the nose, taste buds and soul.

However, Tapia insists he is not smelling the residue of being this close to success. But it's not because he doesn't want

to seem weird. His reasoning isn't the norm.

"I talk to my bat. I go, 'Let's go. We can mash the next one,'" Tapia said in Spanish, with first-base coach Tony Diaz

translating. "I've been doing it since I was 13 or 14, when I was in Little League. Whatever it was, metal bat, wood bat,

broomstick, whatever I had in my hand.

"I think it helps me a lot. And I believe in it."

Watch Tapia play, and his unapologetic communication with his bat falls in line with his daring approach to throws from

right field and baserunning, as well as with his uncommon crouch with two strikes -- named "The Crab" by assistant hitting

coach Jeff Salazar, who worked with Tapia in the Minors. Of course he'd unapologetically talk about speaking to his bat.

Tapia, 23, is ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the Rockies' No. 3 prospect. He's been up and down between Triple-A

Albuquerque and the Majors and is succeeding with his particular method and style. He started Saturday against the

Dodgers for a second straight game with Carlos Gonzalez nursing a sore right shoulder, having gone 13-for-29 (.448) in

his previous 10 games.

"I remember watching Max Scherzer pitch the other day and he was vocalizing something," Salazar said. "You could read

some of the words and it wasn't PG. Personal conversation, internal conversation, is a good thing. Raimel is fun to watch.

I love that he's different."

Same with the hitting approach.

"Is he on time? Does he see the ball well? Is his barrel in the zone an extended period of time," Salazar said of the

Nationals' ace. "However he wants to do it is how he does it."

Tapia also has a strong left arm he doesn't mind using. In the second inning of Friday's 6-1 loss to the Dodgers, Tapia

picked up Corey Seager's single and threw home -- on the fly, with no interest in a cutoff man -- that landed

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before Austin Barnes, who was trying to score from second. But the throw was off line and catcher Tom Murphy, unsure

whether to move forward or back, tried a short-hop in foul ground but couldn't corral the ball.

"When you love what you do, you have fun," said Tapia, who added if he had it to do over again he would have hit Murphy

in the chest. "I love what I do. I'm ready on defense to make a web gem every time. My at-bats, I take them very seriously,

compete and have fun. Sometimes it doesn't go my way, but I enjoy the battle against the pitcher, against the runner."

Worth noting

• Righty Chad Bettis, who has yet to pitch this year as he undergoes chemotherapy to treat testicular cancer, is feeling so

good that he's actually fretting about pitching issues.

"I finally can be frustrated with a bullpen from a mechanical standpoint, and not from a strength and stamina standpoint,"

Bettis said after Saturday's 30-pitch bullpen session, which consisted of 27 fastballs or changeups and three curves. "I

wasn't too pleased that my stride got a little out of whack toward the last 10 pitches. But I passed the eye test and I can

move up to 35 pitches next time."

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Gray poised to return after solid rehab start By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | 12:38 AM ET LOS ANGELES -- Right-hander Jon Gray, the Rockies' Opening Day starter, struck out six and threw 94 pitches for

Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday night in what could be his final injury rehab start.

Gray, who suffered a navicular stress fracture of his right foot on April 13, gave up one run and pitched around five hits

and four walks. He faced loaded bases twice, but yielded just one run and left with a 4-1 lead over El Paso.

"I feel like I can throw everything for a strike, which is a good thing," Gray told MiLB.com. "I wish I could have thrown my

slider a little bit better late in the game today. I felt like I threw some pretty good ones that I didn't get them to swing at. I've

just got to be more aggressive and go in the zone more with my fastball. Other than that, it was pretty good.

"I even got to test [the foot] a little bit, I had to cover first on one [play]. I had no problems. Everything felt right."

The Rockies have relied on four rookie starters for much of the season and emerged as surprise National League West

contenders; however, they've had subpar starting pitching for four straight games.

Lefty Tyler Anderson, who has thrown one relief inning since May 30, will return to the starting rotation on Sunday

against the Dodgers. The Rockies will soon make a determination when or whether to activate Gray for his next start.

"If they're ready to bring me [up], I'm ready," Gray said. "Everything's feeling great. I can definitely go out there and

compete to win."

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Anderson looks to get Rockies on track in LA By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | 3:31 AM ET Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson believes 22 days off helped his left knee, which gave him trouble through the early

part of the season. Dodgers righty Brandon McCarthy has been pitching effectively through right knee tendinitis. They'll

match knees and arms Sunday in the finale of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles is riding a season-

high nine-game winning streak and is on a 15-1 run.

After a rough April to start his second season, Anderson was on fire for most of May, recording a 2.55 ERA with 32

strikeouts against 21 hits and seven walks over four starts. But his knee injury flared up May 30 in a loss to the Mariners.

He returned from the disabled list with a scoreless relief inning on Thursday against the D-backs, and now he is back in

the rotation.

McCarthy's knee has been a problem since Spring Training and it flared up on May 27, when he threw six scoreless

innings in a victory over the Cubs. In the four starts since the onset of the issue, McCarthy has a 1.59 ERA while holding

opponents to a .218 batting average.

Things to know about this game

• Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez didn't start the last two games because of a sore right shoulder, which he said he

hurt on a swing Thursday. He's unlikely to start Sunday and continues to undergo treatment, but it doesn't look like a

disabled-list situation. So far the team hasn't ordered an MRI exam, but he hasn't taken batting practice or hit indoors the

last two days."It hurts when I overextend," he said. "Just trying to get it right."

• Last year, Anderson went 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers. This year hasn't gone nearly as well,

as he's 0-3 with a 5.74 ERA in three starts vs. L.A., with 12 hits and three home runs in 15 2/3 innings.

• Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is 3-for-13 with two solo home runs in his career against McCarthy, who is 2-3

with a 4.57 ERA, 36 strikeouts and 10 walks against the Rockies.

• Anderson said he will continue to wear a brace on his left knee. He wore one while in pain. Now he says it offers

support.

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Tyler Chatwood crumbles in a wave of walks as Rockies reach a season-high losing skid in L.A. Less than a week ago, Colorado (47-30) held first place in the NL West By NICK GROKE | ngroke@denverpost.com | The Denver Post PUBLISHED: June 24, 2017 at 11:28 pm | UPDATED: June 25, 2017 at 12:21 am LOS ANGELES — A quick hook spared Tyler Chatwood the indignity of a dubious personal record Saturday at Dodger

Stadium. But the silent exchange between the pitcher and his manager howled of irritation.

The Rockies’ 27-year-old veteran right-hander — the intended rock of a rotation aging in reverse with four rookies —

walked eight batters. In barely more than three innings. And when Bud Black walked to the mound to snatch away the

baseball and the game, no words were spoken, no eye contact made.

“I felt lost a little bit,” Chatwood said.

The first-place and still surging Dodgers were well on their way to a 4-0 victory when Clayton Kershaw rubbed out a bases

loaded pickle in the first inning. He is 93-0 in a distinguished career when his team scores four or more runs. The Dodgers

did not need help.

“When you beat yourself, that’s frustrating.” Chatwood said. “I didn’t have a good feel for it.”

Chatwood walked four batters, three in a row, in a three-run third inning alone — the kicker being a four-pitch walk to

Kershaw with the bases loaded. He walked two batters back-to-back in the second and Logan Forsythe, the first, scored.

If there is one thing Black, a former pitcher over 15 seasons, cannot cotton to, it is walks. He yanked Chatwood with one

out in the fourth, but it did not turn them around. The Rockies lost a fourth consecutive game for the first time this season.

Chatwood tied a career walks high. He also did it July 24 last season against Atlanta.

Less than a week ago, Colorado (47-30) held first place in the National League West. The Dodgers (50-26), winners of

nine in a row, wrested the top spot and are now 3 1/2 games ahead of the third-place Rockies.

The rash of walks halted Chatwood’s recent run. He had allowed two or fewer runs in six of his previous seven starts and

his 1.73 ERA in June was the third-best in baseball among starters. But he fell to 6-8 with 4.32 ERA overall.

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Joc Pederson did him in twice, first with a solo homer on the first pitch of the Dodgers’ third inning, a looping shot to

center field, then with a lead-off walk in the fourth, the last issued by Chatwood. The Dodgers offense seems unstoppable

of late — they have homers in 16 straight games, the club’s longest streak since 1956.

“It just snowballing on him and he couldn’t get out,” Black said.

And the Rockies started the game with such promise. DJ LeMahieu lined a double to left field off Kershaw and Nolan

Arenado rocked a single to shortstop that Enrique Hernandez could not corral. After Mark Reynolds walked to load the

bases, in a nine-pitch battle for strike zone, Colorado had two more outs to kick Kershaw in the shins. But he quickly

struck out Ian Desmond swinging and Trevor Story looking.

Kershaw’s next inning needed only 13 pitches. He struck out eight and, deftly, walked just one in six shutout innings.

“You have to capitalize on those and get at least a run,” Black said of Kershaw, noticing what the Rockies lacked. “He’s a

strike-thrower. His efficiency is a result of him throwing strikes.”

The Rockies on Sunday hope to get a kick from of the return of lefty Tyler Anderson, whose hitchy windup nearly mirrors

Kershaw’s. They will settle for some strikes in trying to avoid a Dodgers sweep.

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Saunders: Rockies are not a fraud, but they are flawed Before this season began, I was convinced the Rockies had the best day-to-day lineup in the division. By PATRICK SAUNDERS | psaunders@denverpost.com | The Denver Post June 24, 2017 at 4:59 pm The harsh words set off a minor firestorm on Twitter and prompted Rockies fans to send me angry emails.

“When are the Rockies going to get some national respect?” was the underlying tone of most of those emails.

The words, in case you missed them, came from Tony Kornheiser, the talented former sportswriter and columnist for The

Washington Post, and now more famously known as the co-host of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption.”

That “PTI” would even discuss the Rockies was unusual, but Kornheiser’s tone was predictable.

“Ever since I saw them in the 2007 World Series, when they went down four-love to Boston, I have this prejudice against

them. That they’re a fraud team — they’re a fraud team propped up by altitude.”

Kornheiser’s words came Monday, when the Rockies were 46-26, holding first place in the National League West and

fresh off a four-game sweep of San Francisco. Kornheiser’s words were lazy, ill-informed and just flat wrong. At that time,

the Rockies’ 25-13 road record was the best in the National League. The 2017 Rockies are not a 5,280-foot fraud.

Now, however, some of the shine is coming off the Rockies. Their 6-1 loss to the Dodgers on Friday night was their third

consecutive defeat, coming on the heels of a two-game shellacking by Arizona in which they were outscored 26-8

at Coors Field.

Most disconcerting has been the performance of Colorado’s rookie starting pitchers. Jeff Hoffman, Antonio

Senzatela and Kyle Freeland were a combined 21-6 before their last three starts. But then the Diamondbacks and

Dodgers beat the rookies like piñatas.

Freeland allowed five runs on 10 hits in six innings Friday night, and the trio had a combined 14.11 ERA over the ugly

three-game stretch.

“They figured out how I was planning on pitching them, coming off my two previous starts against them,” said Freeland,

who was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA against Los Angeles before Friday night. “I’m a sinker pitcher, and they hit my sinkers. They

hit some mistakes when I threw them, and they hit them hard.”

Therein lies a big problem, and a big challenge, for the Rockies.

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Colorado’s rookie starters are talented, but they are rookies, after all. Teams are beginning to know them and are making

adjustments. There are a lot more bumps in the road ahead.

And let’s face it, the Rockies have no one on their staff as good as L.A. left-handers Clayton Kershaw — scheduled to

pitch Saturday night — or Alex Wood — who has struck out 17 Rockies in 12 innings against them this season. That’s a

big reason why the Dodgers are going to win their fifth consecutive NL West title.

Before this season began, I was convinced the Rockies had the best day-to-day lineup in the division. But that was

before Carlos Gonzalez‘s season-long slump that shows no signs of ending; before Trevor Story‘s disappointing

sophomore season; and before Ian Desmond’s rather pedestrian first 50 games in a Rockies uniform.

I still believe the Rockies will make the playoffs as a wild-card team. If they play .500 baseball until the end of the season,

they would win 90 games. They are capable of that.

But unless they make a bold move at the trade deadline, I don’t see them winning their first NL West title.

Bottom line: the Rockies aren’t a fraud, but they certainly are flawed.

Three up, Three down

UP

1. Dodgers: Homered in 15 consecutive games, tied for fourth-longest streak in club history, and lefty Alex Wood is 8-0

with a 1.86 ERA.

2. Rays: Former Rockies outfielder Corey Dickerson hitting .330 with 16 homers, and Tampa’s making waves in AL East.

3. Diamondbacks: Powered by MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs punished the Rockies at Coors Field last

week.

DOWN

1. Giants: Have lost three straight, 10 of 11 and 19 of their last 24 and are challenging Phillies as worst team in baseball.

2. Tigers: Looking like sellers at the trade deadline with slugger J.D. Martinez and closer Justin Wilson possibly on the

block.

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3. Mets: They’re getting restless in the Big Apple and now veteran shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera is demanding a trade.

Spotlight on: Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants

What’s up: The Rockies head to San Francisco on Monday to face the struggling Giants, who entered the weekend with

a 27-48 record, second worst in the majors. The Rockies won’t be facing Bumgarner, the ace whose season imploded

when he suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder when he crashed on a dirt bike April 20 in a mountain outside

of Denver. The Giants do not expect Bumgarner to return before the all-star break, but at least he’s throwing again and

has begun a minor-league rehab assignment.

Background: Bumgarner symbolized the grit and competitiveness of the Giants team that won the 2014 World Series.

That fall, Bumgarner delivered one of the best postseasons ever by a pitcher. He pitched 21 innings in the World Series

against Kansas City. On two days’ rest in Game 7, he pitched five scoreless innings of relief in a 3-2 win. He pitched a

record 52 ⅔ post-season innings that year. This season, Bumgarner began 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts, but he was

throwing well. He had received only five runs of support in those starts, two on his own home runs.

Saunders’ take: “Madbum” is one of those players I love to watch compete. He attacks hitters and he’s a good hitter in

his own right. His injury has come to symbolize the Giants’ fall from grace this season. Bumgarner is just 27 and all

indications are that he will completely recover from his injury. He’ll be the base for a Giants team that needs a makeover.

Yes, the Giants have had a run of bad luck, beginning with Bumgarner’s dirt-bike misadventure, closer Mark Melancon’s

sore arm and young outfielders Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson going on the DL. But the Giants’ offense is terrible.

Their team .677 OPS (on-base percentage, plus slugging) is the lowest in the National League. When Bumgarner does

return, he’ll be pitching for a team hoping to dodge 100 losses.

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The Rockies are leaning on rookie pitchers. But how long can they last? Hoffman: “You can’t really come in as a group of rookies and just expect to know how to pitch at this level” By NICK GROKE | ngroke@denverpost.com | The Denver Post PUBLISHED: June 24, 2017 at 9:23 pm | UPDATED: June 24, 2017 at 9:33 pm

LOS ANGELES — Kyle Freeland sat alone Friday with one leg draped off a dugout railing at Dodger Stadium, watching

with some intent the batting practice of Clayton Kershaw. The best and most sturdy pitcher of this era is worth emulating,

even his swings. Freeland wanted only the sun.

“I just came outside to get warm,” Freeland said. “The clubhouse was a little cold.”

In the snap of back-to-back blowout losses last week, the Rockies turned a luxury of youthful pitching depth into a shouted

reminder of the ledge they are navigating with rookies. No other team in the majors is pitching more rookies over more

games than the Rockies. And no other team in at least a decade has done it so well.

But a chill has overcome the Rockies’ progress. Not because of the losses, exactly, but the potential for weariness. Are

we seeing the warning signs of fatigue in pitchers playing their first big-league season? How deep, the worry?

“The only thing, we have young pitchers — it’s not a concern, because they’re hungry and they compete — but I don’t

want them to get tired,” said Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado. “These are big games. For some of them, it’s their

first time. They’re all rookies. I hope they continue to compete and work hard and that’s what they’re doing.”

The rookies — Freeland, 24; Antonio Senzatela, 22; German Marquez, 22; and Jeff Hoffman, 24 — have combined to

pitch 65 percent of the starting staff’s innings and 62 percent of the starts. They are carrying the load of an upstart team

that rocketed into first place in the National League West and held the spot well into June.

The recent history of teams swerving toward a rookie-heavy starting rotation elaborates on the difficulty of relying on

young arms. The Cincinnati Reds of 2015 used eight rookies to pitch 66 percent of starts, including a major league-record

64 games in a row to finish the season. But that rookie movement was part of an intentional tear-down. The Reds had

traded Johnny Cueto and finished 64-98, last in their division.

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In 2009, more rookie pitchers made starts than in any other season in baseball history since 1900. They accounted for 5

percent fewer victories and a collective ERA about 60 points higher. The Oakland Athletics used seven rookies to pitch

about 71 percent of the season. The A’s finished 75-87 and in fourth place in their division.

“Look at the 150 starters who started this season in rotations,” said Colorado manager Bud Black. “How many Kershaws

are there? Look at it that way. Guys who you truly don’t worry about. Of 150, there are maybe 30 to 50 you don’t worry

about it. And we’re no different than that.

“Because of our four young guys, we’re probably playing closer attention to those fellas.”

Colorado’s young core, though, is thriving. For now. The four rookies are 26-12 with a 4.16 ERA, a mark that would land

sixth overall in the National League. Tyler Chatwood, a Rockies veteran at just 27, was 6-7 with a 4.08 ERA before his

start Saturday night against the Dodgers.

“We have Chatty and the four rookies right now,” reliever Adam Ottavino said. “They’re doing a great job. They’re the

reason we’re where we’re at. But no matter what, they have a lot to learn. There will be ups and downs, different

situations.”

Changes are already afoot. Tyler Anderson, a 27-year-old lefty just past his rookie season in 2016, will return Sunday

from left knee inflammation. Black bumped Marquez to Monday to give him an extra day of rest.

And that is the concern: The physical toll on arms not accustomed to six-month seasons at the highest level, let alone the

possibility of pitching in the postseason. Senzatela, for example, pitched only 34 2/3 innings last year, and only at Double-

A, before a rib muscle injury ended his season.

“It’s hard to tell,” Freeland said. “I’ll answer that question when we get to August or September and I’m floating around 200

innings. You have to keep grinding, listen to your body, take care of what you need to and last as long as you can.”

The solution for Black and Colorado’s front office is not as clear as a hard cap on innings or pitches thrown. The rookies

will speak with their performances, Black said. Exhaustion often spawns a wildness to windups and command. And when

the concern rises, Black said he will take advantage of several options to extend their season.

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The Rockies can flip a young pitcher to the 10-day disabled list and, if a day off falls favorably, the pitcher could miss only

one start. Also, the Rockies could send an arm to Triple-A without pitching for five or 10 days — not for a tuneup, but for

rest. Another alternative is a bullpen assignment, with a shortened outing or two in relief, to preserve innings pitched.

“We will try to finesse the queen through the king in a bridge game, to get the trick,” Black said. “That’s an old bridge term.

Finesse it through. A lot of it is common sense, just practical reasoning. In general, we will do everything we can do to

make sure they stay sharp physically.”

Colorado’s pitching plan unfolds while looking forward two or three weeks at a time, Black said. But even after losing a

third game in a row Friday night, the Rockies still had the third-best record in the National League. October is calling.

And while more experienced teams rely on fewer, more seasoned pitchers — the St. Louis Cardinals have used only five

pitchers for all but one start this season — the Rockies plan to go eight deep in their rotation, including Jon Gray, who

likely will return this week, and Chad Bettis, who is working back from cancer.

“You can’t really come in as a group of rookies and just expect to know how to pitch at this level,” Hoffman said. “We’ve

never done it before. When you have guys like Bettis and Gray and Chatwood, who had success last year, there’s

knowledge coming down. And Buddy (a former big-league pitcher) helps because he’s been there too. All that, combined

with the talent we have, is monumental when you look at how good we can be.”

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Keeping pace in the NL West means learning on the fly for the Rockies “When you love what you do, you have fun,” Tapia said. “And I love what I do.” By NICK GROKE | ngroke@denverpost.com | The Denver Post PUBLISHED: June 24, 2017 at 8:02 pm | UPDATED: June 25, 2017 at 12:22 am

LOS ANGELES — Carlos Gonzalez is hung up in the infirmary, nursing a sore shoulder and a wicked slump, so the

Rockies turned to Raimel Tapia, a flagpole of a young outfielder. And the game rushed at his face.

In the first inning of the first game of a 10-day trip through the rough and tumble National League West on Friday night,

Dodgers second baseman Logan Forsythe sailed a flyball to the gap between center and right field. Tapia, a 23-year-old

minor-league replacement verging on big-league regularity, tracked the fly to his right. Colorado’s center fielder, Charlie

Blackmon, waved him off. They mixed signals.

And Blackmon, who could house Tapia in one of his brawny thighs, trucked through Tapia to make the catch. Point:

Blackmon. Out: Rockies.

“I’m ready on defense to make web gems every single time,” Tapia said Saturday before the Rockies faced the Dodgers

in the second game of the series. Los Angeles cruised to a 6-1 victory late Friday night behind left-hander Alex Wood’s

mastery of Rockies hitters, for a second time this season.

“Sometimes it doesn’t go my way,” Tapia said, “but I still enjoy the battle against a runner trying to score.”

Tapia’s troubles did not end with him crumpled beneath Blackmon in the outfield grass. But he is not making many

mistakes. His manager is grading Tapia’s defense with a stern eye.

“I think average, on the scouting scale,” Black said Saturday.

In the second inning, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager lined a hit at Tapia. Los Angeles catcher Austin Barnes called out

the rookie, rounding third in a sprint to test Tapia’s arm. The throw came in hot, in plenty of time to nab Barnes, but it was

offline and a foot short. It gobbled up Colorado catcher Tom Murphy, who tried to play a short-hop, but missed, and

Barnes scored without a slide.

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“It was a strong throw. It had strength behind it. It had carry to it. But it was offline,” Black said. “It wasn’t that bad. Was it a

great throw? No. Because it was offline. The ball is coming in, he has to short-hop it.”

Like the throw, the Rockies are good, but perhaps not great. They retained the third-best record in the NL after three

consecutive losses Wednesday through Friday, including two in a losing series to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors

Field. But they are now in third place in the stacked West division.

“We have to tighten it up,” veteran Ian Desmond said. “We have to play better. There are ebbs and flows to a season, but

this is one of those times when we need to pick it up.”

The Dodgers nitpicked the Rockies into their eight consecutive victory. With Gonzalez on the mend and Gerardo Parra on

the disabled list with right quadriceps strain, Black is leaning on Tapia to fill out the outfield, in a similar way to how they

turned to four Rockies rookies to bolster a starting rotation. Murphy, too, behind the plate.

They are, in the face of mounting pressure, playing with verve.

“When you love what you do, you have fun,” Tapia said. “And I love what I do.”

Footnotes. Right-hander Jon Gray, working back from a broken left foot, struck out six, walked four and gave up a run on

five hits for Triple-A Albuquerque in a rehab assignment. He threw 94 pitches in five innings. His next start could be in

Arizona for the Rockies this week… Gonzalez continued to receive medical treatment on his right shoulder through the

evening Saturday and into the game. But he was available to pinch hit, Black said. Gonzalez tweaked his right shoulder in

an at-bat Wednesday, then was removed during Thursday’s game when the injury became untenable. Black does not

expect a disabled list trip for the right fielder. … Right-hander Chad Bettis threw a 30-pitch bullpen session at Dodger

Stadium, using fastballs and changeups. He continues to ramp toward a hopeful return from cancer this season.

Looking ahead

Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (3-5, 5.75 ERA) at Dodgers RHP Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 2.87), Sunday 2:10 p.m.,

ROOT, 850 AM

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Anderson returns after missing 22 days with inflammation in his left knee with some ground to recover. The Rockies, at

the time, could afford to lose Anderson to an injury, even one he might have been able to pitch through, because his

rookie replacements were excelling. He struggled to a 5.85 ERA in 11 starts, over 60 innings. The time off was helpful for

rest. And in his first appearance back, on Thursday at Coors Field, he threw one inning of relief, striking out three. Charlie

Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu, by the way, have combined for 11 hits in 25 career at-bats against McCarthy.

Monday: Rockies RHP German Marquez (5-3, 3.92) at Giants RHP Jeff Samardzija (2-9, 4.74), 8:15 p.m., ROOT

Tuesday: Rockies RHP Jeff Hoffman (4-1, 4.29) at Giants RHP Matt Cain (3-7, 5.54), 8:15 p.m., ROOT

Wednesday: Rockies TBA at Giants LHP Ty Blach (4-5, 4.86), 1:45 p.m., no TV

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Jon Gray says he is ready to return to Colorado Rockies after 3rd rehab start

Righty Gray strikes out 6 in 5 innings with Albuquerque Isotopes. by Chris Jackson Jun 25, 2017, 7:11am MDT | Purple Row

Jon Gray made his first appearance at Isotopes Park since 2015 on Saturday night.

It will likely be one and done.

Gray, making what was likely the final start of a rehabilitation assignment from the Colorado Rockies, allowed one run in

five innings in the Albuquerque Isotopes’ 13-10 loss to the El Paso Chihuahuas in 14 innings.

“If they’re ready to bring me (up), I’m ready,” Gray said with a smile. “Everything’s feeling great. I can definitely go out

there and compete to win.”

It was the second rehab start with the Isotopes for Gray and third overall. He went on the disabled list back on April 14

with a fracture in his left foot.

“I even got to test (the foot) a little bit, I had to cover first on one (play),” Gray said. “I had no problems. Everything felt

right.”

Gray gave up five hits and four walks while striking out six. He threw 57 of 94 pitches for strikes.

“I feel like I can throw everything for a strike, which is a good thing,” Gray said. “I wish I could have thrown my slider a little

bit better late in the game today. I felt like I threw some pretty good ones that I didn’t get them to swing at. I’ve just got to

be more aggressive and go in the zone more with my fastball. Other than that, it was pretty good.”

Gray threw mostly fastballs early in the game but then went with more breaking balls later on. His velocity was fine, with

the stadium gun ranging from 94 to 96 with a high of 97, though it is usually 2-3 mph slow.

“I even got to work with my changeup,” Gray said. “I haven’t thrown a lot lately. I threw three or four tonight and got a

couple outs on it, which is always a good thing. Other than that, I just tried to stick with my game plan and do what I do.”

That game plan probably did not include Gray dancing his way out of trouble more than once.

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In the third, Gray gave up a one-out double to opposing pitcher Tyrell Jenkins, then a two-out single to Jose

Rondon and finally walked Ryan Schimpf. Gray was able to recover and get slugger Jabari Blash to pop up harmlessly

to second baseman Ryan McMahon.

In the fourth, Gray surrendered a two-out double to Tony Cruz and an RBI triple to Dusty Coleman. This time Gray got

Jenkins to swing at a high fastball to strand Coleman.

In the fifth, Gray gave up a leadoff double to Ortega and then walked Schimpf and Blash back-to-back with one out. He

fell behind 2-0 to Diego Goris before the Chihuahuas’ first baseman hit a chopper up the middle that McMahon fielded

easily to start a 4-3 double play.

Overall, Gray was just happy to be back out on the mound after such a long layoff.

“Even when I’m not playing, I feel like I can be useful talking to the other pitchers about certain guys, certain hitters and

what their options are there,” Gray said. “I was kind of given a lot of confidence and being a good guy. I think it’s just

bringing good energy.”

As for the rest of the game, it was a back-and-forth affair. The game was tied 5-5 in the seventh, 6-6 in the ninth and 7-7

in the 11th. The Isotopes finally ran out of pitchers and had to use outfielders Domonic Brown and Rosell Herrera on the

mound in the 14th. They gave up the final six runs.

Jordan Patterson hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the frame to account for the final score. The game time of 5

hours, 35 minutes was a new team record.

In a bizarre moment back in the Albuquerque half of the ninth, Derrik Gibsonwalked up to pinch hit with two outs and the

bases loaded, only to be called back by manager Glenallen Hill. As reliever Matt Carasiti stayed in and struck out on

three pitches, Gibson and Hill engaged in a heated shouting match in the dugout which resulted in Gibson being ordered

back to the clubhouse.

The Isotopes will still try to win the series Sunday night at 6:05. Albuquerque will start lefty Harrison Musgrave (2-1, 6.75

ERA) against former Isotopes right-hander Zach Lee (1-1, 5.32).

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Kershaw, Pederson lead Dodgers to 9th consecutive win Associated Press LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers are showing some interesting versatility during their nine-game winning

streak. They can either power past a team or walk over them.

On Saturday night, the surging Dodgers hit a home run for the 16th consecutive game, while also walking 10 times on the

way to a 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Clayton Kershaw (11-2) overcame a challenging first inning to hold the Rockies without a run for his six innings and Joc

Pederson provided a solo home run as the Dodgers won for the 15th time in 16 games.

"It just seems like every night you find a different way to win," Kershaw said. "Just the confidence you feel, like there's no

way you're going to lose."

The Dodgers are the first National League team to reach the 50-win mark (50-26).

Pederson's solo home run in the third was his sixth of the year. It's the first time the Dodgers have hit at least one home

run in 16 consecutive games since 1960.

"We're playing really well and it's fun to be a part of," Pederson said. "We're going to continue to stick to what got us here

and keep it going."

Kershaw gave up four home runs in his last start and got into immediate trouble Saturday. The Rockies loaded the bases

with one out in the first, with Kershaw's pitch count approaching 30. But the left-hander struck out the next two Rockies

and went on to retire 13 consecutive batters.

"Clayton has a way of finding another gear, another level and make pitches," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "And

sometimes when you get a guy with his reputation on the mound, guys tend to squeeze their bats a little bit tighter."

Kershaw allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out eight. The Dodgers have won his last 10 starts.

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Tyler Chatwood (6-8) had control issues all night, walking a career-high eight in just 3 1/3 innings. Two walks came with

the bases loaded in the third to force in runs, including one to Kershaw on four pitches.

"I felt like I beat myself tonight, and that's pretty frustrating to go home to," Chatwood said. "I didn't really have a good feel

for it today."

WALK IN L.A.

The 10 walks came just two nights after nine Dodgers walked against the Mets. Roberts said the numerous walks and

home runs are connected.

"We talk a little bit about scaring pitchers out of the strike zone," Roberts said. "If you're a pitcher and you've got to be fine

and perfect to get guys out, that's a tough way to go through a lineup.

"And we've been very stubborn in the strike zone, taking our walks, keeping the line moving. And when there's a pitch that

we can handle and do damage with, we're slugging."

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Rockies manager Bud Black thought Colorado missed a key opening when it loaded the bases against Kershaw in the

first with one out but failed to score.

"You've got to capitalize on those," he said. "At least get a run. That was a tough one. We had him 30-plus pitches. It

looked as though we might be able to break through the first. That shows the caliber of talent he is to be able to get a

strikeout with the bases loaded."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: OF Carlos Gonzalez missed his second consecutive start with a sore right shoulder. Black said Gonzalez might

be available to pinch hit. "He's getting better," Black said. "This is not a disabled list situation, it really is day-to-day."

Dodgers: An MRI showed SS Corey Seager had a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. Dodgers are hoping it is not a DL

situation, but Roberts said they expect him to miss three to four starts. "Then we'll have to make a (DL) decision," he said.

... Roberts said reliever Kenta Maeda will start Tuesday against the Angels, not because of any injury, but to simply push

back the starts for an extra day's rest.

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UP NEXT

Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (3-5, 5.75 ERA) is scheduled to make his first start since May 30 in the series finale

Sunday. He has made one relief appearance since coming off the DL with left knee inflammation. In six career starts

against the Dodgers, he is 2/3 with a 3.57 ERA.

Dodgers: RHP Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 2.87 ERA) is scheduled to make his 13th start of the season. He has held

opponents to a .226 batting average while putting up a 1.07 WHIP. He is 2/3 with a 4.57 ERA in eight career starts against

the Rockies.

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The Rockies are playing 86 games for the chance at one more game By Jake Shapiro on June 24, 2017 | BSN Denver

The Major League Baseball season is 162 games of mostly gruel, mixed in with occasional lobster thermidor and hot

fudge sundae. One hundred sixty two of anything will unearth bits of awesomeness among the everyday fare, the

exception being every song ever produced by the Steve Miller Band.

For the Colorado Rockies, who sit at a historically-to-this-point good mark of 47-29, they are essentially playing their

remaining 86 games for the chance of just one more.

With more than half the season left, it’s hard to say how the season will break. But what is known is that the top of the

National League West is very good. And the new leader of the division, the Los Angeles Dodgers, are starting to look a

class ahead of the Rockies – again.

The Dodgers have been and are still expected to run away with the division at some point – and that may have started

this past week with their eight-game win streak. As the following chart from FanGraphs shows, the analytics people like

the Dodgers’ chances better than the Rockies.

I completely agree with all these metrics. The Dodgers are talented, deep at all positions and pretty much have the means

to acquire whomever they want with their solid farm system and high budget.

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This leaves the Rockies in a tenuous spot, thanks to the 2012 change in the Wild Card format which expanded MLB’s

postseason from eight to 10 teams. If the season ended today, the Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks would be the two

wild-card teams. And, with an 8.5 game clearance of the Chicago Cubs—which Fangraphs expects them to win the NL

Central—the next-highest wildcard odds, after the Rockies at 83 percent, are the St. Louis Cardinals at 6.6 percent.

What all of this means: Based on the numbers and probabilities right now, it’s likely Arizona and Colorado will be facing off

in a one-game Wild Card play-in game in October to advance to the National League Divisional Series.

Anything can happen in one game of baseball. Anything can happen in one game of anything (except a game between

the Colorado Avalanche and any other NHL team, in which we already know the other team will win). Look, minor-league

teams regularly beat Major League teams in spring training and, every once in a while, a college team will knock of a big-

league club too. This might not be the best example, but it’s worth mentioning. And for the Rockies, they’re in a situation

where they pretty much know: The next 86 games probably will decide one thing only. That is, the right to play one more

game.

One can go on a righteous diatribe about the ridiculous concept of one game of baseball deciding things, when even

during the regular season match-ups are usually divided into threes. If you don’t think this recent format is crazy, ask

Pittsburgh Pirates fans about it.

But this is the hill the Rockies must be prepared to die upon. Having the chance to play one nine-inning game to advance

further into October it is, for the team’s long-suffering fans, like being served lobster thermidor instead of the usual gruel.

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What can Colorado do to increase the odds of winning that, for now, still-theoretical one-game showdown?

Well, they could deplete their farm system for rental help, but that won’t happen.

They might acquire a strong reliever to make that theoretical nine-inning game theoretically one inning shorter. They

would be able to do this without altering their contention window.

They may just ride it out with the pieces they have in the organization, hoping to play well and get lucky. Hey, even a

broken clock is right twice a day.

But no matter what: The fact that the Colorado Rockies have 86 games of baseball that people around here will actually

care about is a treat that should be enjoyed.

To quote the late, great Julia Child: Bon appetit.

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Rockies Lean to Left vs. Dodgers June 25, 2017 by Tracy Ringolsby | Inside the Seams The Rockies activated Tyler Anderson from the disabled list and juggled the rotation so the left-hander will start today’s

series finale against the Dodgers. They pushed German Marquez back a day, to start the opener in San Francisco on

Monday.

It’s all about the Dodgers’ struggles against left-handed pitchers.

The Dodgers average against left-handed pitchers is 13 points lower than right-handed pitchers, the sixth biggest negative

difference in the NL. The Giants, meanwhile, hit nine points higher against left-handers, the second biggest positive

difference in the NL.

Team vs. LH vs. RH Difference

Cubs .259 .234 plus 25

Giants .247 .238 plus 9

Braves .275 .268 plus 7

Marlins .265 .262 plus 3

Rockies .272 .270 plus 2

Brewers .251 .251 none

Reds .258 .261 minus 3

Mets .253 .250 minus 3

Nationals .273 .280 minus 7

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Dodgers .246 .259 minus 13

Phillies .233 .248 minus 15

Padres .214 .230 minus 16

Cardinals .233 .256 minus 22

Pirates .226 .251 minus 25

Diamondbacks .243 .274 minus 31

The Dodgers have won the last four NL West titles, but they have not been to a World series since 1998 when they upset

the A’s. Only five teams have had a longer World Series drought, including the Nationals, who were founded in 1969 as

the Expos, and the Mariners, who were founded in 1977, and neither have appeared in a World Series.

The last time each MLB team has been to the World Series and whether they won or lost:

Team Most Recent Result

Cubs 2016 Won

Indians 2015 Lost

Royals 2015 Won

Mets 2015 Lost

Giants 2014 Won

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Red Sox 2013 Won

Cardinals 2013 Lost

Tigers 2012 Lost

Rangers 2011 Lost

Yankees 2009 Won

Phillies 2009 Lost

Rays 2008 Lost

Rockies 2007 Lost

White Sox 2005 Won

Astros-1 2005 Lost

Miami 2003 Won

Angels 2002 Won

D-Backs 2001 Won

Braves 1999 Lost

Padres 1998 Lost

Blue Jays 1993 Won

Twins 1991 Won

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Reds 1990 Won

A’s 1990 Won

Dodgers 1988 Won

Orioles 1983 Won

Brewers-2 1982 Loss

Pirates 1979 Won

Mariners-3 Never

Nationals-4 Never

1-Astros still in NL that year

2-Brewers still in AL that year

3-Mariners created in 1977 expansion

4-Nationals created as the Expos in 1969 expansion.