Teoscar Hernandez followed Jason Heyward’s grand slam with a three-run homer in a seven-run ninth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied to beat the Colorado Rockies 11-9 on Tuesday in Denver.
It was the first time the Dodgers rallied from a five-run deficit in the ninth to win since July 18, 1957, when Brooklyn defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 10-9 in 11 innings.
The Rockies led 9-4 entering the ninth, but Colorado reliever Tyler Kinley loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a single. Heyward, pinch-hitting for Chris Taylor, homered off the foul pole in right to cut the deficit to one.
It was his fourth career grand slam and fourth homer of the season.
Shohei Ohtani then singled off of Victor Vodnik (1-1), Will Smith struck out and Freddie Freeman was intentionally walked after a wild pitch. Hernandez checked his swing on a 1-2 pitch, with the call confirmed by first base umpire Lance Barksdale. Colorado manager Bud Black argued the ruling and was ejected.
Hernandez homered on the next pitch, his 18th of the season, to put Los Angeles ahead.
Ohtani socked a 476-foot homer, the longest hit in the majors this season, and teammate Andy Pages also homered. Ohtani and Miguel Vargas each had two hits for the Dodgers.
Michael Peterson (1-0) pitched two innings of one-run relief to earn the victory in his major league debut. Evan Phillips got the last out with a runner on base to pick up his 11th save.
Brenton Doyle had a career-best four hits, including a home run, Elehuris Montero also went deep among his two hits and Ryan McMahon had two doubles for Colorado. Rockies starter Austin Gomber allowed four runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Colorado used a four-run first inning and a two-run homer by Montero, his fourth, in the second inning to build a 6-1 lead against starter Walker Buehler.
Doyle hit a solo shot, his sixth, in the fourth inning for a 7-2 edge.
Ohtani crushed his 20th home run to center in the sixth inning, but Doyle’s RBI single in the bottom of the inning made it 8-3.
Doyle made a diving catch in center on Ohtani’s drive in the seventh to prevent two runs from scoring.
After a seventh-inning sacrifice fly by Jake Cave, the Rockies led 9-4.
Buehler allowed seven runs and seven hits in four innings.
–Field Level Media
