Daily Clips May 12, 2017

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1 Daily Clips May 12, 2017

2 LOS ANGELES DODGERS DAILY CLIPS FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2017 DODGERS.COM Dodgers buoyed by late rally against Rox- Owen Perkins Red-hot Rox back Hoffman in win over L.A.- Thomas Harding and Owen Perkins Maeda lands on the DL with a tight hamstring- Owen Perkins Toles set for MRI exam on right knee- Ken Gurnick Kershaw, Chatwood square off at Coors- Owen Perkins LA TIMES Dodgers' rally falls short in 10-7 loss to Rockies that ends five-game winning streak- Andy McCullough Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda lands on disabled list after pitching gem- Andy McCullough OC REGISTER Dodgers Hyun-Jin Ryu roughed up by Rockies in return from DL- NEWS SERVICE REPORTS On deck: Dodgers at Colorado, Friday, 5:40 p.m.- J.P. Hoornstra ESPN Hoffman, Gonzalez lift Rockies to 10-7 win over Dodgers- AP Dodgers' Kenta Maeda to disabled list with sore hamstring- AP TRUE BLUE LA Tulsa wins 9-3 behind homers from Scavuzzo, Mieses and Garlick- Craig Minami Dodgers buried from the start against Rockies- Eric Stephen Austin Barnes starts at catcher in Rockies opener- Eric Stephen Kenta Maeda is the latest Dodger to be placed on the 10-day DL- Eric Stephen Dodgers, Rockies leading NL West arms race- Eric Stephen DODGER INSIDER Dodgers nearly complete comeback from 10 0 deficit in Colorado- Rowan Kavner Ryu reinstated before Thursday start- Rowan Kavner In standout week for catcher s bats, Grandal s defense not to be ignored- Rowan Kavner NBC LA Dodgers Five-Game Win Streak Snapped in 10-7 Loss to Rockies- Michael Duarte and The Associated Press LA TIMES Dodgers Dugout: Cody Bellinger's presence makes Andrew Toles' absence less painful- Houston Mitchell

3 LOS ANGELES DODGERS DAILY CLIPS FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2017 DODGERS.COM Dodgers buoyed by late rally against Rox By Owen Perkins DENVER -- You could be forgiven for believing the Dodgers were done after four innings of baseball Thursday night. With the Dodgers down, 10-0, in the opening game of a four-game series against the Rockies, the prognosis appeared grim. But the combination of the unpredictability of Coors Field and the reliability of the Dodgers made in a 10-7 loss was an encouraging sign headed into Friday's game. "We had some late-inning wins in Pittsburgh, too," said Corey Seager, who doubled in the seventh and ninth to put the pressure on. "We just never stop." Manager Dave Roberts was smart with his scorecard, inserting players and double-switching with an eye toward a comeback even when down by double-digits. He used two pinch-hitters in the game -- Scott Van Slyke who homered when he hit for starter Hyun-Jin Ryu in the fifth, and Yasmani Grandal, who drove a two-run double to left when he hit for reliever Chris Hatcher in the eighth. Scott Van Slyke slugs a solo shot to center field to get the Dodgers on the board in the top of the 5th inning "You're never out of it here," Roberts said. "It's just a credit to our guys. For us to get [Rockies closer Greg] Holland in the game was a good thing for us when you're looking at a four-game series. Our guys keep fighting." The Dodgers started building momentum in the fifth and sixth innings, hitting starting pitcher Jeff Hoffman hard after striking out seven times in the first three innings. The late outs gave the Rockies outfielders a workout, and L.A. touched Hoffman for three runs before he left with one out in the sixth. "You see a guy twice [in a game] and you start getting a little comfortable," said Cody Bellinger, who doubled off Hoffman to open the sixth and singled in the ninth. "You see what he has. We're just trying to put together good at-bats all game. We came up short, but it's all good." One good thing was the chance to see three more Rockies pitchers, building familiarity that can come in to play into the weekend while keeping the Rockies relievers from getting too well rested. "Keep at it and try to dig deep into their bullpen as much as you can after a game like that," Bellinger said. "Even when we're down 10-0, we know where we're playing, so we never gave up and we made it close."

4 Among the bright lights offensively was Chase Utley, who started his second consecutive game at first base and delivered his second multi-hit game, going 3-for-5 with a triple and an RBI. He's now hitting.375 in his 46 games played at Coors Field. "He's going to continue to try and figure things out and compete," Roberts said. "He's worked really hard with the hitting guys and himself, and he's finding the barrel." The Dodgers scored six runs on eight hits off the Rockies' bullpen -- a source of strength in Colorado's surprise first-place run in the National League West. "It's just a testament to them over there," Hoffman said of the comeback. "They're swinging the bat really well right now, and it showed in the late innings. They weren't going to give up. They were going to fight to the last out." "They put a good rally together at the end, but the damage was done earlier," added Carlos Gonzalez. Red-hot Rox back Hoffman in win over L.A. By Thomas Harding and Owen Perkins DENVER -- Carlos Gonzalez drove in three runs to join a middle of the order that was so productive that rookie right-hander Jeff Hoffman didn't have to be dominant. Nevertheless, Hoffman fanned a careerhigh eight over 5 1/3 innings for his first big league win as the National League West-leading Rockies beat the Dodgers, 10-7, Thursday night to open a four-game series at Coors Field. "Like I always said, what the numbers show right now, it doesn't matter -- the one number that matters is that we're winning ballgames -- and no one can change that," said Gonzalez, who improved his average to.198 but celebrated the Rockies moving to 10 games above.500 (23-13) for the first time since Sept. 27, After Gonzalez hit mostly third and fourth in the order, manager Bud Black dropped him to sixth, and saw him gp 2-for-3 (both hits doubles) with a walk. Nolan Arenado added two hits, including a two-run double, and Ian Desmond also added a two-run double. Nolan Arenado sends a double to the right-center-field gap to score Jeff Hoffman and Ryan Hanigan, giving the Rockies a 4-0 lead in the 2nd "There's just a lot of really good stuff going on -- like I've said all along, it's going to be a really fun summer," Desmond said. The offense helped Hoffman, activated from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday when the Rockies pushed lefty Tyler Anderson to Saturday because of left knee soreness. Hoffman pitched 1 1/3 innings Tuesday, then stayed around knowing Anderson could be pushed back. "Just part of the business, I guess," Hoffman said. "It was chaotic. I didn't know where I was going to be pitching -- Albuquerque or here. My fiancee did a great job of keeping my head [clear] for me, and I came out today and executed the game plan." More >>

5 The Dodgers fell for just the third time in 13 games, but not easily, even though the Rockies had a 10-run lead through four innings. They scored four runs and had seven hits in 2 2/3 innings against relievers Jordan Lyles and Scott Oberg to force the Rockies to use closer Greg Holland, who improved to 15-for-15 on save chances to match the club record to start a season (Jose Jimenez, 2002). Greg Holland induces a double play and strikes out Yasiel Puig with the bases loaded to earn the save in a 10-7 win over the Dodgers "Keep at it and try to dig deep into their bullpen as much as you can after a game like that," said Cody Bellinger, 2-for-5 with three strikeouts. "It's Coors Field, so anything can happen. Even when we're down 10-0, we know where we're playing, so we never gave up and we made it close." Dodgers lefty starter Hyun-Jin Ryu returned from the 10-day disabled list (hip contusion) and was greeted with 10 runs -- just five earned because Ryu couldn't rebound after catcher Austin Barnes' throwing error during the five-run second. Ryu gave up eight hits, six walks (one intentional) and a hit batsman. "He just wasn't sharp," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He was missing out over the big part of the plate. You look at the first couple of innings, he had two outs. He just couldn't get that last out. When you're down 7-0 before you can really get going, at that point in time, [I've got] to think through a four-game series here in Colorado. To exhaust the entire bullpen to cover five or six innings versus feeling like he can get through four innings, and I felt he could." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED You're not getting out of this: After walking DJ LeMahieu and yielding an Arenado single in the first, Ryu faced Desmond with two out and a chance to escape the first scoreless. But Desmond swatted a 1-1 slider to left for a two-run double. Desmond would finish 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk and a HBP. "I didn't really have a specific game plan against him, to be honest," Desmond said. "I just wanted to get something out over the plate and do some damage." Throwing it away: Hoffman did nearly everything right, but his second-inning bunt wasn't ideal. It was close enough to the plate for Barnes to corral and have time to throw out Ryan Hanigan at second, however, his throw short-hopped and handcuffed shortstop Corey Seager. Ryu managed two outs before Arenado's two-run double, Mark Reynolds' RBI single and, after an intentional walk to Desmond, Gonzalez's two-run double. Jeff Hoffman bunts and reaches first on a throwing error by Austin Barnes in the bottom of the 2nd inning QUOTABLE "My timing is better. I think that's the whole key. My swing never changed. My swing is always the same. I think it's more about timing and letting my body needs to let my hands work. When my body is in a position to hit, I can trust my hands and just put a good swing on the ball. That's what happened in today's game." -- Gonzalez

6 "He's got a quick arm. I'm not sure if he's a high spin rate guy, but from the hitters, the ball was getting on them, he was getting it above the belt and we couldn't catch up. He was attacking us. It's a lot easier to pitch with the lead he had." -- Roberts, on Hoffman SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Ryu had career highs in runs allowed (10), walks (six), and balks (one), with his first career balk accounting for a run in the fourth. NEW, YET FAMILIAR It's not as if Hoffman wasn't familiar with the Dodgers. During his eight-game, six-start trial last season, he faced the Dodgers twice. The first time he held them to two runs in five innings and he didn't figure in the decision of an eventual 10-8 Rockies loss. The second time -- his first professional relief appearance - - he pitched two scoreless innings at Dodger Stadium. "I had notes on them from the past, and I even faced them a few times in Spring Training this year, so that definitely helps a little bit," Hoffman said. Jeff Hoffman fans Cody Bellinger to strike out the side in the top of the 1st WHAT'S NEXT Dodgers: Ace Clayton Kershaw climbs the hill for the 5:40 p.m. PT tilt against the Rockies. Kershaw held Colorado to two runs on five hits over seven innings while striking out 10 and walking one in his last start against them on April 19 at home. He is 8-4 with a 4.71 ERA in 18 starts at Coors Field. Rockies: Righty Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.74 ERA), who last year and more often than not this year has struggled at Coors, vanquished the D-backs at home in his last start -- one run and two hits in seven innings. He has another shot Friday night at 6:40 MT. Maeda lands on the DL with a tight hamstring By Owen Perkins DENVER -- In a surprise move Thursday, the Dodgers placed starting pitcher Kenta Maeda on the 10-day disabled list with left hamstring tightness and reinstated Hyun-Jin Ryu, who got the start Thursday night in the opening game of a four-day set with the Rockies at Coors Field. Maeda pitched 8 1/3 innings Wednesday night, holding the Pirates to two runs on five hits. It was a career high for innings pitched, and the 104-pitch effort was arguably his best of the season, with no evident health issue during the game. "Actually there was a hamstring incident a few weeks ago," manager Dave Roberts said. "We talked about putting him on the disabled list a few weeks ago, but he assured us that he could continue to make starts, which he did, and pitched well.

7 "We made that decision last night after we saw [Rich Hill's rehab] outing. We've talked about our starting pitching depth for a long time, to act on it, to be prudent, and that's kind of what made that ultimate decision." The Dodgers have used seven starting pitchers this season, and Maeda is the fourth to go on the DL. Ryu was on the DL for 10 days with a left hip contusion, Hill was on for 10 days with a blister on his left middle finger and has been on for a second time since April 17, and Brandon McCarthy went on May 8 with left shoulder soreness. "Can Kenta make his next start?" Roberts asked. "He probably can." But why push it when the Dodgers have the depth to draw from seven or eight starters? With the new 10-day disabled list, starting pitchers can go on the DL and miss only one start, rather than the two they would have missed before the rule was enacted. The Dodgers can use their depth and take no chances with aches and pains while giving pitchers extra rest. "It's a long season," Roberts said. "The days of starters making, in a vacuum, 32 starts, it's hard to do these days. If we as an organization see a potential injury, whether it be a shoulder or a glute or a hamstring, and we can get ahead of it and potentially shorten the season and also get them back to 100 percent as much as possible, then we're going to do that." Roberts added that using the 10-day DL for issues that pitchers may not have missed time for in the past was a potential "new normal" for his club -- a way to keep arms fresh and healthy throughout the season -- as long as they have an abundance of available arms waiting. "If something happens and we can address it and try to nip it, then obviously that's what we're going to do," Roberts said. "If you have the depth that we have, then you feel like you can go eight starters deep and make sure guys shorten their season, stay strong through September. "With the guys that we have, one through eight, I can see it for the duration of the season." Roberts expects Hill to be activated in time to make Maeda's next scheduled start in San Francisco next week. Hill pitched five no-hit innings for Class A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday. "He dominated the Cal League," Roberts said. "I think he graduated." Kershaw, Chatwood square off at Coors By Owen Perkins The Rockies and Dodgers continue their four-game series on Friday night at Coors Field with the two teams sitting in first and second place, respectively, in the National League West. "We're playing a team we're chasing that's playing good baseball -- and it's tough to play up here -- so we want to win these games," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I think these guys have got the best of us this season, so we want to play well."

8 Chatwood threw seven innings at Coors Field in his last start, holding Arizona to one run on two hits. He was 1-2 with a 3.75 ERA against the Dodgers a year ago, and is making his first start against them this season. Kershaw is 8-4 with a 4.71 ERA in 18 career starts at Coors Field, and is 19-6 with a 3.15 ERA in 34 career starts against the Rockies. He held Colorado to two runs on five hits over seven innings while striking out 10 and walking one in his last start against them on April 19 at home. Kershaw has thrown 54.8 percent of his pitches in the strike zone this season, ranking fourth among pitchers with at least 500 total pitches. But in his last start, when he issued four walks, that zone rate dipped to 48.3 percent, Kershaw's third-lowest in a game with at least 75 pitches since the beginning of Things to know about this game No active Dodger has hit Chatwood better than Yasmani Grandal, who is 5-for-7 (.714) with a double, a triple, a homer and three RBIs. Only two active Rockies hit Kershaw at.300 clip or better, regardless of the number of at-bats. Gerardo Parra (12-for-36) and Nolan Arenado (13-for-39) both hit him at a.333 clip. Parra has three doubles, a triple and a homer against the Dodgers ace, and Arenado has three doubles and two homers. Kershaw has allowed more homers (16) at Coors Field than at any park but Dodger Stadium. The next closest is AT&T Park (six), where he has pitched 30 more innings than at Coors. LA TIMES Dodgers' rally falls short in 10-7 loss to Rockies that ends five-game winning streak By Andy McCullough The game had already fled his grasp. His standing within the Dodgers starting rotation already looked precarious. All that remained for Hyun-Jin Ryu on this wretched evening, when he weathered a hellacious beating in a 10-7 loss to Colorado, was a final fit of embarrassment. As Ryu labored in the fourth inning, already down nine runs, a lengthy conversation developed between the pitcher and the umpiring crew. The message did not take. Ryu stepped backward to begin his motion, and then his body went slack. He held up his left hand to signal for more time. Umpire Todd Tichenor saw something different. Balk! Tichenor shout-ed. Ryu looked flabbergasted. In the dugout, manager Dave Roberts wore an expression of stony annoyance. On the scoreboard, a number 10 appeared. The night-long humiliation was complete. Ryu

9 managed to finish the fourth inning, but his team could not climb out of the double-digit hole he dug, even after bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth. I m just unhappy that I couldn t keep our team going, Ryu said afterward, because we were on a really hot streak. Riding a five-game winning streak into this series, the Dodgers crashed into a Rocky Mountain wall. The Rockies walloped Ryu (1-5, 4.99 earned-run average) and set the tone for this four-game set between the Dodgers (20-15) and the surprising leaders of the division. Colorado awoke on Thursday ahead in the National League West by 11/2 games. The Dodgers awoke on slightly shakier ground and on little sleep. The team did not arrive to its hotel in downtown Denver until past 4 a.m. The Rockies had taken two of three from the Dodgers here in April. You re playing a team you re chasing, and a team that s playing good baseball, Roberts said before the game. And it s tough to play up here. With its thin air at high altitude, Coors Field saps the life from pitchers. The Rockies have avoided that fate thus far, relying upon a core of young starters and dynamic relievers to stay atop the division. And their lineup can still squash opponents. Ryu experienced that fate Thursday. He had spent the past 10 days on the disabled list nursing a minor ailment. The Dodgers called it a bruised hip. Roberts called it a strained glute muscle. The nomenclature mattered little: Ryu s sojourn stemmed from a season-long plan to keep members of the starting rotation fresh. The rest did not help his performance. The Rockies ambushed Ryu in the first inning and battered him in the second. Ryu appeared incapable of missing barrels, let alone bats. He just wasn t sharp, Roberts said. He was missing out over the big part of the plate. In both innings, Ryu wobbled in two-out situations. He opened the door for Colorado in the first by walking second baseman DJ LeMahieu and yielding a single to third baseman Nolan Arenado. Two batters later, outfielder Ian Desmond pulled a two-run double into the left-field corner. The next inning was far worse. After a leadoff single by catcher Ryan Hanigan, Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes and shortstop Corey Seager combined to compound the trouble. When Rockies pitcher Jeff Hoffman laid down a bunt, Barnes tried to force Hanigan out at second. The throw skipped and bounced off Seager s glove. It was an error on Barnes, but it also meant trouble for Ryu. Ryu managed to retire the next two batters. He had less luck with Arenado. Ryu tried a fastball on the outer half of the plate. Arenado extended his arms and hammered a two-run double to the opposite field. The next batter, first baseman Mark Reynolds, smacked an RBI single off the right-field wall. We just didn t execute very well today, Barnes said. Left too many pitches over the plate.

10 Colorado did not slow down. Reynolds stole second base. Roberts responded by intentionally walking Desmond when Ryu fell behind in the count. Up came outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, a once-venerated hitter who carried a.188 batting average to the plate. Gonzalez turned on a lazy curveball for another two-run double. By the fourth, the outcome looked secure. The Dodgers offered little resistance against Hoffman, a 24- year-old right-hander making his first start of the season. Hoffman struck out seven batters in the first three innings. In the fourth, he retired the side in nine pitches. Ryu unraveled in the bottom of the inning. It started in familiar fashion. He walked Arenado. His control lapsed again when he hit Desmond with an 86-mph fastball. Gonzalez poked an RBI single through an empty portion of the infield. Utility man Pat Valaika provided a run-scoring double. At this point, Ryu fell into discussion with second-base umpire Bill Miller. Roberts left the dugout to mediate, but was turned back. Into the fray came Brian Lee, Ryu s interpreter. Miller informed Ryu that the pitcher needed to declare whether he was pitching out of the stretch or the windup, a new rule that Ryu was not aware of. After a brief chat, Lee jogged off the diamond. Then Ryu balked. A 10th run scored. A lost game grew worse. No late rally could reclaim it. It was a balk, Roberts said. But he was confused. Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda lands on disabled list after pitching gem By Andy McCullough The Dodgers continued to utilize the 10-day disabled list as a strategic asset Thursday by shutting down Kenta Maeda because of tightness in his left hamstring. The ailment did not prevent Maeda from logging a season-high 8 1/3 innings the night before. Maeda is the third Dodgers starting pitcher to ride this carousel. He was taken off the roster to make room for Hyun-Jin Ryu, who spent 10 days on the disabled list because of a bruised hip. In the interim, Brandon McCarthy went on the disabled list after he suffered a separation in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in a weight-room accident. Like McCarthy and Ryu, Maeda is not expected to be sidelined for more than 10 days. The Dodgers are using this approach to navigate through the season while shuffling six or seven starting pitchers. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Maeda experienced a hamstring incident a few weeks ago, which Maeda was able to play through. There was some fatigue from before, Maeda said through an interpreter. I was able to pitch fine, and I felt fine. It was something that the club just wanted to be careful with.

11 The Dodgers decided to give Maeda time off after Rich Hill (blister) completed five perfect innings in a rehabilitation outing with Class A Rancho Cucamonga. Hill is expected to return to the rotation Tuesday, after McCarthy returns Monday. There are currently seven pitchers floating through the orbit of the team s rotation. Only Clayton Kershaw is expected to pitch 200 innings during the regular season. The Dodgers may have to shift Alex Wood back to the bullpen next week to make room for Hill or McCarthy. We ve talked about our starting pitching depth, and depth in general, for a long time, Roberts said. For us to act on it, to be prudent, I think that s kind of what made that whole decision. He added, If we, as an organization, see the potential for injury, whether it be a shoulder, a glute or a hamstring, and we can get ahead of it and shorten the season and get them back to 100%, as as much as possible we ve shown we re going to do that. The injury did not prevent Maeda from completing a normal workout in the weight room. Short hop Adrian Gonzalez (elbow soreness) could begin a rehabilitation assignment as early as next week, Roberts said. OC REGISTER Dodgers Hyun-Jin Ryu roughed up by Rockies in return from DL By NEWS SERVICE REPORTS DENVER Perhaps the Dodgers can take solace in the fact that they forced the Colorado Rockies to bring their closer into Thursday s game. The Rockies roughed up Dodgers right-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu for 10 runs in four innings, and while the Dodgers battled back to get the tying run to the plate with no outs in the ninth inning, they could not dig all the way out of the early hole in a 10-7 loss at Coors Field. Ryu was reinstated from the disabled list before the game after recovering from a bruised hip. Rockies manager Bud Black was forced to call on closer Greg Holland to get a save when the Dodgers battered relievers Jordan Lyles and Scott Oberg for a combined four runs in the eighth and ninth innings. Brett Eibner s run-scoring single in the ninth off Oberg made it 10-6, before Holland was summoned. Holland gave up a single to Chris Taylor to load the bases, but induced Chase Utley into a run-scoring double play and struck out Yasiel Puig on a slider in the dirt to end the drama and collect his 15th save in 15 opportunities.

12 It is Coors Field and anything can happen, Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger said. And even though we were down 10-0 we were like listen you know where we re playing. So we never gave up and we made it close. Colorado s offense jumped all over Ryu early and never stopped stomping. Ryu surrendered the 10 runs (five earned) on eight hits. He walked six (one intentional) and hit another batter, a cardinal sin at Coors Field, and also balked in a run in Colorado s three-run fourth. He just wasn t sharp, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told MLB.com. He was missing out over the big part of the plate. You look at the first couple of innings, he had two outs. He just couldn t get that last out. When you re down 7-0 before you can really get going, at that point in time I go to think through a four-game series here in Colorado. To exhaust the entire bullpen to cover five or six innings versus feeling like he can get through four innings, and I felt he could. Ian Desmond blistered a two-run double in the first inning to jump start Colorado. In a five-run second that was aided by a throwing error from Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes, Carlos Gonzalez ripped a tworun double to right. He added a run-scoring single in the fourth. Ryu s struggles provided Rockies rookie right-hander Jeff Hoffman with a nice comfort zone. The centerpiece of the 2015 trade that sent Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto, he dominated early, striking out a career-high eight on the way to winning first big-league game in his seventh start. Anyone wondering why the Rockies (23-13) are leading the NL West by 2-1/2 games, need look no further than their fleet of young arms. Hoffman became the third Rockies rookie starter to win a game in impressive fashion this week. Antonio Senzatela beat the Cubs in the first game of Tuesday s doubleheader and German Marquez threw a no-hitter for six innings in Colorado s 3-0 over Chicago on Wednesday. Over their last nine games, Rockies starters have posted a 2.86 ERA with seven quality starts. Six of those nine games have been at Coors Field, which enjoys a nasty reputation as an ERA graveyard. The Rockies, fresh off a series victory over the defending World Series champion Cubs, halted the Dodgers five-game winning streak. The Rockies are 10 games over.500, the latest in a season they have done that since 1997 when they were on May 8. Hoffman, called up from Triple-A Albuquerque for a spot start created by Monday s rainout on Monday and subsequent doubleheader on Tuesday, blanked the Dodgers for four innings before giving up a pinch-hit, solo home run to Scott Van Slyke in the fifth. The Dodgers honed in on Hoffman in the sixth, with Bellinger ripping a double and Utley following with a run-scoring triple. In reality, Hoffman pitched better than his 5⅓-inning, six-hit, three-run performance indicated. He s got a quick arm. I m not sure if he s a high spin rate guy, but from the hitters, the ball was getting on them, he was getting it above the belt and we couldn t catch up, Roberts told MLB.com. He was attacking us. It s a lot easier to pitch with the lead he had. NOTES

13 Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda was placed on the 10-day DL with tightness in his left hamstring. Maeda pitched 8-1/3 innings Wednesday night, holding the Pirates to two runs on five hits. It was a career high for innings pitched, and the 104-pitch effort was arguably his best of the season (perhaps his career). He had no visible health issue during the game. Actually there was a hamstring incident a few weeks ago, Roberts told MLB.com. We talked about putting him on the disabled list a few weeks ago, but he assured us that he could continue to make starts, which he did, and pitched well. We made that decision last night after we saw (Rich Hill s rehab) outing. We ve talked about our starting pitching depth for a long time, to act on it, to be prudent, and that s kind of what made that ultimate decision. Crew chief Bill Miller called for the Dodgers translator to discuss something with Ryu in the fourth. Soon after, Ryu was called for a balk, the first of his career. On deck: Dodgers at Colorado, Friday, 5:40 p.m. By J.P. Hoornstra DODGERS AT ROCKIES Where: Coors Field TV: SNLA (where available) THE PITCHERS DODGERS LHP CLAYTON KERSHAW (5-2, 2.40 ERA) vs. Rockies: 19-6, 3.15 ERA (34 starts) At Coors Field: 8-4, 4.71 ERA (18 starts) Hates to face: Nolan Arenado, 13 for 39 (.333), two HRs Loves to face: Mark Reynolds, 5 for 28 (.179), 10 Ks ROCKIES RHP TYLER CHATWOOD (3-4, 4.74 ERA) vs. Dodgers: 4-6, 3.52 ERA (11 starts) at Coors Field: 16-14, 4.91 ERA (36 starts) Hates to face: Yasmani Grandal, 5 for 7 (.714), double, triple, HR, walk Loves to face: Corey Seager, 2 for 11 (.182), three Ks UPCOMING MATCHUPS Saturday: Dodgers LHP Alex Wood (3-0, 2.73 ERA) at Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (2-3, 6.69 ERA), 5:10 p.m., SNLA

14 Sunday: Dodgers LHP Julio Urías (0-0, 1.06 ERA) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (5-1, 2.86), 12:10 p.m., SNLA ESPN Hoffman, Gonzalez lift Rockies to 10-7 win over Dodgers By The Associated Press DENVER -- The way Jeff Hoffman pitched early and how the Colorado offense built a 10-run lead, it looked like a sure night off for closer extraordinaire Greg Holland. Not quite. Holland was needed to extinguish a late rally. "You know what that is? That's baseball," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "I've seen it happen before." Hoffman struck out eight and then anxiously waited to earn his first major league win, Carlos Gonzalez showed signs of breaking out of a slump with a two-hit, three-rbi night and the Rockies held off the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-7 on Thursday. Next up for Hoffman, locating the game ball. He was sure someone grabbed it for him. "Probably get (the ball) framed and put it somewhere," Hoffman said. "Hopefully, I'll have a house someday." Ian Desmond and Nolan Arenado each added two doubles to help the Rockies extend their lead in the NL West to 2 1/2 games over the Dodgers. At 23-13, the Rockies are off to the best start in team history. Hoffman (1-0) allowed three runs over 5 1/3 efficient innings after being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque earlier in the day. He becomes the latest rookie to shine this season on the mound for Colorado. On Wednesday, German Marquez allowed three hits over eight innings in a win over the Chicago Cubs, while Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela threw in Tuesday's doubleheader. This marked the first time Colorado has started four straight rookie pitchers since 2002, according to Elias Sports Bureau. "When you see them have success and how they're executing their game plan, it gives you a nice peace of mind," Hoffman said. "It's like, `All right, I can do that, too." Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-5) surrendered 10 runs, five earned, and walked six over four innings. He was reinstated from the disabled list before the game after recovering from a bruised hip. Colorado built a 10-0 lead through four innings only to have the Dodgers chip away. Brett Eibner's runscoring single in the ninth off Scott Oberg made it 10-6 and led to the Rockies calling in Holland.

15 Holland eventually struck out Yasiel Puig on a slider in the dirt to end the game for his 15th save in as many chances. "It is Coors Field and anything can happen," said Cody Bellinger, whose team had their five-game winning streak halted. "And even though we were down 10-0 we were like listen you know where we're playing. So we never gave up and we made it close." Gonzalez was dropped to the sixth spot in the batting order with his average hovering under.200. The Dodgers even intentionally walked Desmond in the second to face Gonzalez, who lined a double to right as part of a five-run inning that was aided by a Dodgers throwing error. The slumping Gonzalez retreated to the batting cage after going 0 for 4 on Wednesday, believing he had uncovered a tiny glitch in his swing. Something was detected. Gonzalez finished with two hits for just the fourth time this season. "The one number that matters is that we're winning ball games," Gonzalez said. "Nobody can change that." TRAINER'S ROOM Dodgers: RHP Kenta Maeda was placed on the DL with tightness in his left hamstring. Rockies: C Tony Wolters (concussion) keeps progressing, running the bases and blocking pitches in the dirt Thursday.... Hoffman stepped in for lefty Tyler Anderson, whose start was pushed back to Saturday due to inflammation in his left knee.... SS Trevor Story was placed on the 10-day DL with a strained left shoulder. PASSED THE TEST Fresh off taking two of three from the World Series champion Cubs, the Rockies face another test in a four-game series against Los Angeles. "We don't need any more tests," Arenado said. "We're a good team, no matter what." THIS & THAT Jim Montgomery, the coach of the national champion University of Denver hockey team, threw out the first pitch.... Dodgers pinch-hitter Scott Van Slyke hit a solo homer in the fifth off Hoffman.... Crew chief Bill Miller called for the Dodgers translator to discuss something with Ryu in the fourth. Soon after, Ryu was called for a balk. UP NEXT Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (5-2, 2.40 ERA) is 19-6 with a 3.15 ERA in 34 career starts against Colorado.

16 Rockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.74) went seven innings and allowed one run in a win over Arizona on Sunday. Dodgers' Kenta Maeda to disabled list with sore hamstring By The Associated Press DENVER -- The Los Angeles Dodgers put right-hander Kenta Maeda on the 10-day disabled list because of tightness in his left hamstring. The move frees up space to reinstate lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who will start Thursday night against the Colorado Rockies. Ryu was sidelined because of a bruised left hip. Maeda threw 8 1/3 innings and gave up two runs Wednesday in a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Maeda experienced an issue with his hamstring a few weeks ago. The team nearly put him on the DL then, but "he assured us that he could continue to make starts, which he did, and pitch well," Roberts said. The pitcher from Japan is 3-2 with a 5.03 ERA. TRUE BLUE LA Tulsa wins 9-3 behind homers from Scavuzzo, Mieses and Garlick By Craig Minami Dodger minor league teams split their four games on Thursday. Oklahoma City and Rancho Cucamonga lose close games while Tulsa and Great Lakes get strong offense and pitching to win their games. Player of the day Jacob Scavuzzo hit one of three Driller home runs on Thursday, he went 3-for-4 with a double and a grand slam home run. Scavuzzo s.468 slugging pct is impressive considering his.210 batting average and.246 on-base pct. Triple-A Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Dodgers opened their home series against the Fresno Grizzlies (Astros) with a 5-3 loss. Fabio Castillo started for the Dodgers and gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings of work. Layne Somsen pitched three innings and allowed a run, three hits and struck out five. The Dodgers scored all of their runs on solo home runs by Willie Calhoun, Darnell Sweeney, and Bobby Wilson. Calhoun went 3-for-5 and also had a double. Alex Verdugo did not have an official at-bat as he walked four times. Double-A Tulsa

17 The Drillers scored three runs in the second and six runs in the third and went on to beat NW Arkansas Naturals (Royals) 9-3 in their first game of their series. Joshua Sborz had another solid start for the Drillers. Sborz pitched five scoreless innings and gave up five hits, one walk and struck out three. It was his third consecutive start of five or more scoreless innings. Despite Edwin Rios going hitless, the Drillers were able to put up 16 hits. Kyle Farmer had four hits and Kyle Garlick, Jose Miguel Fernandez and Jacob Scavuzzo each had three hits. Class-A Rancho Cucamonga The Quakes gave up a run in the fifth to San Jose Giants that proved to be the game-winner in the 3-2 win by the Giants. Caleb Ferguson gave up the three runs (two earned) in six innings pitched. Alex Hermeling pitched two scoreless innings but it was too late. The Quakes scored when with two out, a passed ball scored Erick Mejia and later, an error scored Luke Raley. The Quakes could only muster three hits, all singles, and they only had two plate appearances with runners in scoring position and left only one runner on base. Class-A Great Lakes The Loons defeated Clinton LumberKings (Mariners) 9-3 behind an 11-hit attack including a four-hit game from shortstop Gavin Lux. Devin Smeltzer pitched 5⅓ innings and got his second win. Smeltzer allowed two runs, three hits, walked two and struck out five. Besides Lux, second baseman Brendon Davis continues his outstanding season, he s hitting.292/.415/.491 with only his 40 strikeouts in 113 being something to raise a concern. Luis Paz also had two hits. Transactions Triple-A: Oklahoma City activated infielder Ike Davis from the 7-day disabled list; outfielder Logan Landon assigned to Oklahoma City from Rancho Cucamonga; left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell assigned to Extended Spring Training from Oklahoma City. Class-A: Infielder Zach McKinstry assigned to Rancho Cucamonga from Great Lakes. Thursday scores Fresno 5, Oklahoma City 3 Tulsa 9, NW Arkansas 3 San Jose 3, Rancho Cucamonga 2 Great Lakes 7, Clinton 3 Friday schedule 4:30 p.m.: Great Lakes (A.J. Alexy) at Clinton (Danny Garcia) 5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Justin Masterson) vs. Fresno (Trent Thornton)

18 5:15 p.m.: Tulsa (Walker Buehler) at NW Arkansas (Emilio Ogando) 7:00 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Dennis Santana) at Visalia Rawhide [Diamondbacks] (Jose Almonte) Dodgers buried from the start against Rockies By Eric Stephen Hyun-jin Ryu was activated from the disabled list on Thursday, but just didn t have it. He was battered in the worst start of his career as the Rockies held on for a 10-7 win over the Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series at Coors Field. Ryu tried to work around a walk and a single in the first inning, but Ian Desmond doubled home two to get the scoring started. In the second inning, the Rockies got two more two-run doubles, by Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez, and nearly had another RBI double by Mark Reynolds, who hit a ball off the wall in right field but had to settle for an RBI single. That gave the Rockies a 7-0 lead after two innings, with all seven runs scoring with two outs. Asked to give the Dodgers some length instead of just two innings, Ryu remained in the game to allow three more runs, these coming in the fourth and with one out, not two. In all, Ryu allowed a career-worst 10 runs, the first Dodgers pitcher to do so since Carlos Frias on May 24, He also walked six batters one was intentional just the third time in his career he has walked more than three in a game, and the first time since One of the things Ryu has been exceptional at throughout in his career is thwarting the running game. Before Thursday, he allowed three stolen bases in a shockingly low seven attempts in his 62 career starts. Mark Reynolds, who stole 24 bases back in 2009 but was 12-for-23 in steal attempts since the start of 2012, naturally stole a base off Ryu on Thursday. It was not Ryu s night. Once down 10-0, the Dodgers clawed their way back to within four runs, and at the very least got the Rockies to use closer Greg Holland, who entered with two on and nobody out in the ninth inning, and the tying run on deck, a save situation. One of those runs scored, and the Dodgers brought the tying run to the plate, but a Chase Utley double play and Yasiel Puig strikeout ended the game. Notes

19 Ryu s start ended an effective stretch for the Dodgers rotation. In their previous 16 games including two starts from Ryu Dodgers starters had a 2.23 ERA in 97 innings. Scott Van Slyke homered in the fifth inning while pinch-hitting for Ryu, giving the Dodgers their first run. Yasmani Grandal delivered a two-run double as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. Dodgers pinch-hitters in May are 11-for-14 (.786) with four doubles, a home run, and a walk. Grandal has 10 hits in his last 15 at-bats, and has an extra-base hit in four straight games. Utley was 3-for-5 with a triple on Thursday, his third straight game with an extra-base hit. He was 5-for- 51 (.098) with one RBI in his first 24 games of the season, and in his last three games is 6-for-9 (.667) with three RBI. Up next Clayton Kershaw takes the mound on Friday night, another 5:40 p.m. PT start, with Tyler Chatwood starting for the Rockies. Thursday particulars Home run: Scott Van Slyke (2) WP - Jeff Hoffman (1-0): 5⅓ IP, 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts LP - Hyun-jin Ryu (1-5): 4 IP, 8 hits, 10 runs (5 earned), 6 walks, 4 strikeouts Sv - Greg Holland (15): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 strikeout Austin Barnes starts at catcher in Rockies opener By Eric Stephen Austin Barnes gets the start at catcher for the Dodgers in Thursday s series opener against the Rockies at Coors Field, looking to build on a strong start to his 2017 season. Barnes delivered the game-winning hit on Tuesday night, an RBI double into the right center field gap, and with six of his nine hits for extra bases so far this season Barnes has been a bit like Padres infielder Ryan Schimpf. In 13 games and 39 plate appearances, Barnes has four doubles, three singles, a home run, a triple, and five walks so far this season, hitting.265/.359/.529. This is Barnes ninth start in 35 games, with Yasmani Grandal starting the last three games, and going 8- for-13 (.615) with two doubles and a home run during that span. With the depth we have, you have to keep the guys current, manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday. I ve still got to find a way, as tough as it is, to give these guys a day.

20 Grandal through 35 team games in 2015 made 26 starts, en route to 100 starts behind the plate. In 2016, thanks to missing the first week on the disabled list Grandal started 17 of the first 35 games at catcher, and ended the year with 106 starts. Barnes has reached base by hit or walk in six of his eight starts this season. Rox roster move Colorado made a rotation change for this series. Jeff Hoffman, the club s top pitching prospect will be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to start the series opener instead of Tyler Anderson, who was bumped to Saturday. To make room for Hoffman, the Rockies placed Trevor Story on the 10-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain. Hoffman pitched in eight games, including six starts, at the end of last season during his major league debut. He was up earlier in the week as the 26th man for the Rockies doubleheader on Tuesday, pitching 1⅓ innings in relief against the Cubs, making 18 pitches. Hot start The Rockies lead the Dodgers by 1½ games in the National League West, and Colorado s record is their best ever after 35 games. The previous franchise mark after 35 games was 21-14, set by teams in 1997 and 2014 that won 83 and 66 games, respectively. That doesn t doom this 2017 Rockies team to some sort of dystopian finish, but rather points out that there is hardly anything conventional about the franchise. Colorado has won 90 games twice, and those were in years that saw them start (2007) and (2009). Kenta Maeda is the latest Dodger to be placed on the 10-day DL By Eric Stephen LOS ANGELES The Dodgers continue to use the 10-day disabled list to give their pitchers rest. The latest on the rest train is Kenta Maeda who could have seen this coming? one day after he made his longest start as a Dodger. Maeda was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday with left hamstring tightness to make room for the activation of Hyun-jin Ryu, who was on the disabled list for, um, sliding into second or something. Super convenient timing. Maeda pitched into the ninth inning in the Dodgers series finale against the Pirates, the first time he has lasted past seven innings in the majors. After the game, he seemed puzzled when asked how he might handle potentially getting rest during the season. I try to keep those distractions out, and just focus on the pitching, Maeda said after Wednesday s start.

21 Unlike rotation mates Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-jin Ryu, and Alex Wood, Maeda is coming off a full season. Maeda made 32 starts and pitched 175⅔ innings during the regular season last year. There is also the matter of Maeda s contract, which pays him a $3 million base salary and annual incentives of up to $10.15 million based on starts and innings pitched. Last year, he earned $8.9 million in bonuses, including $1.5 million for making his 32nd start on the last day of the regular season. He did have a rough finish and playoffs in 2016, allowing 16 runs in 17⅓ innings over his last five starts. But on Wednesday Maeda couldn t say whether he thought an in-season break would be a plus for him down the stretch. It s hard to tell at this point. Looking back after the season, I ll be able to tell, Maeda said. It s up to me to make anything a positive. It s what I try to do in any negative situation. Maeda is the 18th different Dodger to be placed on the disabled list in Ryu last pitched on April 30, and missed the minimum 10 days while on the disabled list. He has allowed two total runs in his last two starts, with 12 strikeouts and four walks in 11⅓ innings. This is the second start of the season at Coors Field for Ryu, who allowed two runs in 4⅔ innings on Apr. 7, suffering a tough-luck 2-1 loss in the home opener for the Rockies. Dodgers, Rockies leading NL West arms race By Eric Stephen The Dodgers and Rockies begin their four-game National League West showdown on Thursday night at Coors Field, with both teams reliant on a collection of strong arms to fuel their starts. Entering play on Thursday, the Dodgers and Rockies rank first and second, respectively, in the NL in ERA+ (128, 122) and pitching WAR (6.3, 5.0 the FanGraphs version). Colorado ranks first in ground ball rate (52.8%) and LA is tops in strikeout rate (26.7%). Rockies starters are averaging 5.72 innings per start, a number they haven t reached in a full season since The Dodgers bullpen leads the NL in FIP (2.44), xfip (3.28) and strikeout rate (29%), and are second in ERA (3.00). Rockies relievers rank second in FIP (3.11) and xfip (3.43), fifth in strikeout rate (25.2%), and are sixth in ERA (3.97). Closer Greg Holland is healthy and pitching like his dominant Royals days. The back end of the Colorado bullpen is a strength, with Holland, Adam Ottavino, Jake McGee and Mike Dunn combining for a 2.16 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 22 walks in 50 innings. In the last 12 games, the Rockies team ERA is just 2.97, and they have allowed two or fewer runs six times during that span, including three times in six games on the current homestand.

22 Ian Desmond is healthy and active for the Rockies, someone the Dodgers didn t face in their first two series against Colorado this season. Desmond is off to a bit of a slow start, hitting.293/.286/.439 with two home runs in 10 games, with 13 strikeouts and no walks. Desmond has played mostly in left field, a departure from the stated plan when he signed a five-year, $70 million contract this winter. He was slated to play first base, but Mark Reynolds has taken the reins at that position for the Rockies, hitting.336/.412/.681 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI in 34 games. Reynolds is tied for third in the NL in home runs and RBI, and ranks fifth in slugging percentage. Andrew Toles is out for the year with a torn ACL, so he won t get to hit at a place he has thrived early in his career. In five games at Coors Field, including two starts, Toles is 6-for-10 in Denver, with two home runs, a triple, a double, and seven RBI. This will be the first trip for Cody Bellinger to Coors Field, after hitting six home runs in his first 14 career games. The fastest Dodgers player to seven career home runs was Matt Kemp, in 15 games in The fastest to eight was Yasiel Puig, needing 27 games to do so in Game info Time: 5:40 p.m. PT TV: SportsNet LA DODGER INSIDER Dodgers nearly complete comeback from 10 0 deficit in Colorado By Rowan Kavner In the worst start of Hyun-Jin Ryu s career, the Dodgers still made the Rockies bring out their closer Thursday night. Chipping away at a 10-run deficit through four innings, the Dodgers nearly mounted the comeback, scoring the final seven runs of the game and getting the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning before falling just short in a 10 7 series opening loss in Colorado. The typical control wasn t there for Ryu, who tied a career high with five walks and allowed eight hits and a career-high 10 runs. He had never before allowed nine runs in a game and had only allowed a combined 12 runs in his previous five starts this season, including just two runs over 11 1/3 innings in his last two starts. When you re down 7 0 before you can really get going, at that point in time I ve got to think about a four-game series here in Colorado, said manager Dave Roberts. Exhausting the entire bullpen to cover five or six innings, versus he could get through four innings.