Dodgers ride 8-run inning to 11-3 win over Rockies

PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer

DENVER (AP) — Matt Kemp helped fire up the offense with his first-inning homer. He also got fired up over something Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yasiel Puig either said or did.

Even teammates quarrel in the middle of a heated pennant race.

Kemp had an animated chat with Puig in the dugout during the middle of the game with the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.

He wasn’t willing to divulge details of the conversation after the Dodgers used an eight-run sixth inning to beat the Rockies 11-3.

“A good game we played today, huh?” Kemp said. “A good game. Go Dodgers.”

Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly wasn’t forthcoming, either, after cameras caught Kemp trailing behind Puig and saying something. Mattingly stepped into the middle of the squabble and whisked the young slugger away.

“Just talking in the dugout,” Mattingly explained.

Over?

“Family stuff. Family business,” Mattingly said.

The Dodgers certainly took care of business, showing no signs of a letdown after a big series win in San Francisco, where they took two of three to extend their lead in the NL West.

“We came out with intensity,” Kemp said. “Game was close for a little bit and we kind of broke away. Got to play well, not take these teams for granted.”

The Dodgers broke out in the sixth against Christian Bergman (2-4) and two relievers. They produced seven hits, including pinch-hitter Justin Turner’s two-run double that broke open a tie game and started the scoring spree.

The eight runs were the most the Dodgers have scored in an inning since Aug. 30, 2011, against San Diego.

“You never feel like you have enough runs here,” Mattingly said. “That was huge.”

Adrian Gonzalez had three RBIs, and Puig showed more signs of getting back on track with two hits.

Jamey Wright (5-4) earned the win.

Before the game, Mattingly remained confident that his players could put the key series with the Giants behind them and focus on the Rockies, who have the worst record in the NL.

The Rockies had several costly base-running blunders as they lost their seventh straight. Charlie Blackmon was caught in a rundown when he tried to score on a grounder in the first. The next inning, Bergman missed on a squeeze bunt, and DJ LeMahieu was easily tagged out by catcher A.J. Ellis.

“If we score on those opportunities early on maybe the game is a little different,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “Obviously, the sixth got away from us.”

Just the way the season has gone for the Rockies (59-91), who are in jeopardy of losing 100 games for the first time.

“It’s definitely something that we’re wary of and going to try our best to avoid,” Drew Stubbs said.

Wilin Rosario hit a solo homer for the Rockies, who returned home after an 0-6 road trip.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: An MRI on pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu’s left shoulder revealed only inflammation on Monday. The plan for Ryu is to skip his scheduled start Wednesday to rest. He will rejoin the team in Chicago and resume throwing.

Rockies: 3B Nolan Arenado was out of the starting lineup due to a chest/rib injury. Colorado manager Walt Weiss said Arenado would undergo some tests but “I don’t anticipate him missing a whole lot (of time).” Weiss said Arenado was injured while diving for a ball during a game in New York against the Mets.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: RHP Dan Haren (13-10) has found his groove, going 5-1 with a 1.70 ERA over his late seven starts. He has held opponents to a .176 average since Aug. 6.

Rockies: LHP Tyler Matzek (5-10) has given up just four runs over his last 29 1-3 innings.

STRUGGLING

Dodgers starter Roberto Hernandez pitched into the fourth before loading the bases with two outs. Paco Rodriguez was summoned from the bullpen and got Blackmon to ground out and end the threat.

Hernandez gave up two runs and six hits.

“I felt like I was able to keep the ball down today,” Hernandez said through a translator. “It didn’t work out in my favor.”

CHANGES

The Rockies are moving lefty Franklin Morales into the bullpen to give some of their young arms a look as the season winds down. Lefty Yohan Flande will be on the mound on Thursday.

The team also recalled infielder Christhian Adames from Double-A Tulsa after he helped the Drillers in the Texas League playoffs.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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