The Colorado Rockies' inability to pick up hits when they need them most continued to haunt them in a 7-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Memorial Day. The Rockies did pick up 14 hits, but a Ty Wigginton home run in the fourth inning was the only damage they could manage. It was a 1-for-12 night hitting with runners in scoring position.
In the first inning, Troy Tulowitzki singled to center field with Carlos Gonzalez at second base (he stole it for his seventh of the year). Gonzalez attempted to score on the play, but Matt Kemp gunned him down at the plate. In the second inning, Todd Helton and Seth Smith hit back-to-back singles to start things, but then they went nowhere after three consecutive swinging strikeouts ended the inning.
Things looked up in the seventh for the Rockies--despite a six-run deficit--when Troy Tulowitzki was at the plate with one out and the bases loaded. Chris Nelson, recently called up, had reached with a single, but was out on an Eric Young Jr. fielder's choice. Dexter Fowler singled to move Young to second and then Carlos Gonzalez walked to load the bases. Tulowitzki started his at-bat with a strike taken and then fouled a pitch. After drawing two balls, Tulowitzki hit into an inning-ending double play.
Jason Hammel took the hook after he allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings. The bullpen of Matt Daley, Greg Reynolds and Matt Belisle held the Dodgers to one hit and zero runs over the remaining 3.1 innings. Chad Billingsley, on the other hand, allowed two runs on 11 hits and struck out eight Rockies.
The Rockies (25-28, 12-13 road) continue this series Tuesday night at 8:10 p.m. MT.
For more on the Rockies, Purple Row is your destination. For the Dodgers, visit True Blue LA and SB Nation Los Angeles.