An Electrifying Comeback: Dodgers Stun Rockies with Seven-Run Ninth Inning
In a game filled with dramatic swings, the Los Angeles Dodgers orchestrated a historic comeback to secure an 11-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. The catalyst for this monumental turn of events was a seven-run rally in the ninth inning, highlighted by a pinch-hit grand slam by Jason Heyward and a three-run homer by Teoscar Hernandez.
The Ninth-Inning Miracle
The Dodgers had lost 1,137 consecutive games when trailing by five or more runs in the ninth inning or later, a streak dating back to 1957. This was the second-longest active losing streak in such scenarios, only surpassed by the Mariners' 1,234 losses under the same conditions. However, this game proved to be an exception to the rule, improving the Dodgers' all-time record to 6-2,619 when trailing by five or more runs in the ninth inning or later.
The dramatic rally began with walks to Andy Pages and Miguel Vargas, followed by a single from Miguel Rojas. Heyward then stepped in and delivered his fourth career grand slam off Tyler Kinley, tying the game as his shot clipped the right-field foul pole. This was Heyward's fourth homer of the season.
Heroics of Teoscar Hernandez
Moments after Heyward's heroics, Teoscar Hernandez took center stage. His three-run homer, following a contentious check-swing call, gave the Dodgers an 11-9 lead. First base umpire Lance Barksdale ruled that Hernandez did not commit to the swing, a decision that infuriated Rockies manager Bud Black, leading to his ejection from the game.
Hernandez's blast marked the first time in the Dodgers' 140-year history that they hit both a grand slam and a three-run homer in the ninth inning of a game. Colorado right fielder Jake Cave was visibly upset, stepping toward Barksdale and yelling before being restrained by bench coach Mike Redmond as the game ended.
Pitching and Defensive Highlights
Relief pitcher Evan Phillips secured his 11th save in as many chances, retiring the only batter he faced, Hunter Goodman, with a runner on second. Meanwhile, Dodgers starter Walker Buehler struggled, giving up eight hits and seven runs in four innings. This was the first time the 29-year-old right-hander allowed more than three earned runs since returning to the rotation on May 6 after missing the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery. Buehler struck out two and walked one.
For the Rockies, Elehuris Montero and Brenton Doyle each homered, contributing to an early lead. Doyle, in particular, had a standout game with his first career four-hit performance, adding three singles and making a diving catch of an Ohtani line drive to right-center field with runners on first and second in the seventh inning, preserving an 8-4 lead at the time.
Responses from the Players and Coaches
After the game, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts praised the team's resilience, saying, "It was quality at-bats up and down the lineup. Jason was ready when called upon. Teo, he keeps coming up with big hits. That inning, certainly, the results showed the fight, the compete."
Heyward reflected on his grand slam, stating, "I wasn't sure if it was going to stay fair or not. It's Colorado, so maybe that helped it straighten out a little bit. I was like, 'Come on, squeak in, squeak in.' I honestly feel like we got rewarded for our process in the ninth."
Hernandez described his approach during his pivotal at-bat: "It was close. You can call it either way, and it will be fine. When Jason hit the grand slam, and turning the lineup over to Ohtani, you know something was going to happen. I just wanted to get a good pitch to hit to tie the game. I put a little extra, and it went over the fence. I knew it as soon as I hit. It felt great, especially because it put the team ahead."
On the other side, Jake Cave expressed his frustration with the call that kept Hernandez at the plate: "When I'm running in (before the last of the ninth), he looked me right in the face and goes, 'Cave, it's not even close.' Everybody in the world could see it was at least close. And he did swing. It's a big game. It's one of the best teams in baseball, and we're battling with them. That game's won on that swing. That's a swing-and-miss; the game's won, and we beat the Los Angeles Dodgers."
A Winning Streak for the Dodgers
Andy Pages also homered for the Dodgers, who have won four of their last five games and are now 73-32 against Colorado since 2018. The Rockies, in contrast, have lost five of their last six games.
Reliever Michael Petersen made his major league debut memorable, working two innings and striking out two to earn his first career win. "It was crazy. You can't feel anything. It's like your first date; you are tripping over stuff. But awesome," Petersen said.
This electrifying victory adds a significant chapter to Dodgers history, showcasing their never-say-die attitude and the depth of their lineup keen on continuing their winning ways.