Narrative Statements:
In a game filled with dramatic swings, the Los Angeles Dodgers staged a thrilling comeback to secure an electrifying 11-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. Jason Heyward delivered a pinch-hit grand slam, and Teoscar Hernandez capped the seven-run ninth inning with a three-run homer, sealing the win in a game that defied expectations and records.
### Historic Comeback
The Dodgers had previously 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, with only the Seattle Mariners holding a longer streak of 1,234 losses without a win under these conditions. However, Tuesday night saw the Dodgers improve their all-time record to 6-2,619 when trailing by five or more runs in the ninth inning or later.
Their seven-run explosion was the most they had scored in a ninth inning since 2004 against the San Francisco Giants. Heyward's fourth career grand slam came off Tyler Kinley, following walks by Andy Pages and Miguel Vargas and a single by Miguel Rojas. Heyward's fourth homer of the season struck the right-field foul pole, dragging the Dodgers back into contention.
### Key Contributions
The Dodgers found themselves trailing 7-2 by the fourth inning and faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Shohei Ohtani contributed a 476-foot homer in the fifth, adding to the team's mounting score. Ohtani then singled off pitcher Victor Vodnik (1-1) before Will Smith struck out looking. Freddie Freeman received his sixth intentional walk in the last two games.
Teoscar Hernandez's heroics were pivotal, making it an 11-9 game. Taking a half-swing at a 1-2 fastball, first base umpire Lance Barksdale ruled that Hernandez did not commit to the swing, a call that led to Colorado manager Bud Black's ejection after arguing the decision. Hernandez responded by hitting his 18th home run. This marked the first time in their 140-year history that the Dodgers hit both a grand slam and a three-run homer in the ninth inning.
### Tensions and Drama
The game was fraught with tensions, especially after Hernandez’s three-run homer. Colorado right fielder Jake Cave approached Barksdale, voicing his frustration. Rockies second baseman Alan Trejo stepped in to separate Cave and Barksdale after the inning ended. Relief pitcher Evan Phillips faced Hunter Goodman, securing an out with a runner on second, and recorded his 11th save in as many chances. Cave had to be restrained by bench coach Mike Redmond as he attempted to reach Barksdale after the game ended.
The Rockies had their share of highlights, with Elehuris Montero and Brenton Doyle hitting home runs. Doyle also delivered three singles for his first career four-hit game, scoring twice and making a crucial diving catch of Ohtani’s line drive with runners on first and second and two outs in the seventh inning, preserving an 8-4 lead at the time.
### Pitching Challenges
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler struggled, giving up eight hits and seven runs in four innings. It was the first time the 29-year-old right-hander allowed more than three earned runs since his return to the rotation on May 6 after missing the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery. Buehler struck out two and walked one.
Andy Pages also homered for the Dodgers, who have now won four of their last five games and hold a 73-32 record against Colorado since 2018. The Rockies, on the other hand, have lost five of their last six games.
### Quotes and Reactions
"It was quality at-bats up and down the lineup," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. "Jason was ready when called upon. Teo, he keeps coming up with big hits. That inning, certainly, the results showed the fight, the compete."
"I wasn't sure if it was going to stay fair or not," Heyward admitted. "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 reflected on the tense 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. It felt great, especially because it put the team ahead."
Cave remained aggrieved after the game: "When I'm running in before the last of the ninth, [Barksdale] 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."
For reliever Michael Petersen (1-0), his major league debut was unforgettable: "It was crazy. You can't feel anything. It's like your first date; you are tripping over stuff. But awesome."