Clayton Kershaw, offense help Dodgers salvage

DENVER — When the Dodgers arrived in Colorado on Sunday evening that they had a golden alternative to pad their slender division lead against with the worst group in the majors. Unfortunately, even with Thursday’s 9-5 win over the Rockies, the Dodgers only managed a break up of the four-game sequence.

They now head to San Diego for a essential three-game-series against the San Diego Padres with the division lead once again up for grabs.

“I wish we had won all four, but it just didn’t happen,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts said. “That’s just the way baseball is. So we’ve got to go out there and regardless of the standings, we’ve got to beat those guys.”

The standings, however, loom large. On July 7, the Dodgers led the division by six video games. The margin is now just a sport.

The Padres, who have gained 12 of 19 video games in August, are the third-hottest group in the National League this month. The Dodgers are a sport over .500.

“It is what it is,” Roberts said. “It’s where we’re at right now and I can’t change it. I feel good about our club going into San Diego.”

His membership could have a bit of momentum on its facet after scoring 20 runs on 30 hits in the 2 wins at Coors Field. Thursday’s matinee noticed 4 gamers end with a number of hits, including third baseman Alex Freeland, who was a career-best three for 5 with a run scored and another pushed in. Freeland had six hits in the ultimate three video games in Denver.

“It’s just like I’m building confidence now,” said Freeland, who entered Thursday hitting .180 since his call-up from triple-A Oklahoma City three weeks in the past. “I’ve kind of spent a little time here now and I’m getting comfortable.”

The Dodgers also acquired a fourth straight strong effort from starter Clayton Kershaw (8-2), who gave up three runs in 5⅔ innings. Kershaw has allowed just 5 runs over 23 2/3 innings this month, dropping his season ERA practically 50 factors to 3.13.

That was also good enough to keep his group in first, one thing he famous afterward.

“You can’t take anything for granted in Colorado, obviously,” he said. “But at the end of the day, we’re [one] up going in [to San Diego]. So we feel good about it.”

Freeland agreed.

“We definitely could have produced more. But you know what? We’re going to take this one today and take this momentum and bring it into San Diego,” he said.

After Kershaw gained the opener of a three-game sequence with the Padres at Dodger Stadium a week in the past, the groups had been even atop the N.L. The Dodgers wound up sweeping that sequence and have gained eight of 10 with the Padres general this 12 months.

“We’ve played well against those guys this year,” Roberts said. “They’re going to give us everything they have this weekend.”

The Dodgers acquired began early Thursday with Mookie Betts, who reached base 4 occasions, opening the sport by strolling on 5 pitches. Freddie Freeman adopted with a two-run home run, his sixteenth of the season, to heart discipline.

The Rockies cut the lead in half in the underside of the inning on a popup that acquired misplaced in the solar, a sacrifice bunt, a balk and an RBI groundout. But they’d get no nearer, with the Dodgers scoring in each of the first 5 innings to take an 8-2 lead.

Freeland had his first profession triple along with a double and single, falling a homer shy of the cycle. He had six hits in the ultimate three video games in Denver. Betts completed two for three with two walks and two runs scoring while Freeman, who was two for 5, raised his season average to .304 and is hitting .328 for August.

Shohei Ohtani feeling fantastic

Roberts said pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is ok after taking a line drive off his proper thigh in Wednesday’s sport. Ohtani was scheduled to have Thursday off and Roberts said he’ll be back in the lineup Friday.

Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates set to return

The Dodgers will activate reliever Tanner Scott before Friday’s sport in San Diego and reliever Kirby Yates on Saturday. Scott has been out a month with inflammation in his left elbow while Yates has missed three weeks with decrease back pain.

Roki Sasaki making progress

Right-hander Roki Sasaki made progress in his second rehab start Wednesday, going 3⅓ innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits. He walked three and struck out two before leaving after 60 pitches. He will make another rehab start next week before the Dodgers make any choice on his position in September. The group had talked about utilizing Sasaki in a aid position.