Los Angeles – On Dustan Mohr’s back, 30 minutes after the game, a blood-red welt spoke tellingly about another lost weekend.
The Rockies were bruised, beaten, yet conceding nothing but disappointment after the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2-1 victory on a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon.
“That was bull, hitting Dustan,” starter said after the Rockies’ fifth consecutive loss. “We will take care of it and handle it in our own way. It’s frustrating because we get so close and feel like we are better than our record.”
Several Rockies players reacted angrily to what they believe was Yhency Brazoban’s intention to add injury to insult. Keeping the ninth-inning seat warm until Eric Gagne returns from injury, Brazoban plugged Mohr with a 93-mph fastball with two outs in the ninth inning.
Mohr declined to discuss the issue, but his teammates were upset, breathing life into a rivalry that has been dormant for years. The incident unfolded oddly, sparked by thrown bats that agitated an announced crowd of 46,243.
With one out and at first base, pinch-hitter flung his bat on three consecutive two-strike pitches. The fans hissed on the first two foul tips, then showered him with boos when his bat landed on the pitcher’s mound after the final strike.
Hawpe stole second but was called out when plate umpire Bill Miller ruled Gonzalez interfered with catcher Jason Phillips’ throw.
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ROCKIES WRAP
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“I was just trying to make contact to get a groundball,” Gonzalez said. “I am mad at not being able to get the bunt down.”
On his next pitch, Brazoban appeared to vent frustration, smacking Mohr. The Rockies, lurched over the dugout railing, yelled and pointed in his direction. They expected someone to “wear one” – baseball parlance for getting plunked – after their pitchers hit seven Dodgers batters in their previous series, but took exemption to the 24-year-old’s timing.
Brazoban maintained he didn’t hit Mohr, who is 0-for-18 at Dodger Stadium, on purpose.
“It was just a pitch that ran inside,” said Brazoban, already on the Rockies’ radar after throwing over rookie shortstop ‘ head in a Dodgers’ victory last Sunday. “I wasn’t frustrated about (the thrown bats).”
Before the Rockies’ lost their cool, they lost control. They wake up this morning buried in the standings because of their philanthropy. They lead baseball in walks.
Their damage is revealed when the numbers are scrutinized. The Rockies outhit the Dodgers 20-15 in the series, yet were outscored 14-6.
Why? The Rockies walked 23 batters and hit two in three games, free passes that were at the epicenter of every Dodgers’ meaningful rally.
“Major-league pitchers shouldn’t be walking that many guys,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. “I don’t think we need a (meeting) to state the obvious. I will continue working with them individually.”
Slumping all-star was provided the best chance for the Rockies to avoid the sweep. With a runner on second and two out in the eighth inning, he struck out on a 74-mph changeup from left-hander Kelly Wunsch.
“It’s a tough at-bat, and when your body is not doing what you tell it to do it’s even tougher,” Helton said. “I lost that battle and have lost a lot this season. But I will keep working and be fine.”
Staff writer Troy Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
Sweeping numbers
The Rockies were swept in a series for the third time this season Sunday in a 2-1 loss against the Dodgers. How the Rockies have fared in those nine losses:
Team | Rockies runs scored | Runs Allowed
Giants: 14 25
Diamondbacks: 4 11
Dodgers: 6 14
ROCKIES RECAP
Carvajal, 20, continues to post impressive stats
Marcos Carvajal, 20, might be the youngest Rockies player ever and the youngest current player in the majors, but using him in less stressful situations was getting old. The right-hander forced the Rockies’ hand by posting the most impressive statistics in the bullpen. As part of a major shakeup, his role changed, explaining why he was assigned the sixth and seventh innings Sunday in a one-run game.
“I am ready for anything that comes my way,” Carvajal said.
Carvajal, a Rule V pick from the Dodgers, proved as much, extending his scoreless streak to 9 2/3 innings. He has allowed just four hits this season.
IN A PINCH: , who didn’t start for only the second time this season, lined a single to left as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. Barmes leads the Rockies with 35 hits.
HURTING BUNTING: and failed to execute sacrifice bunts. Gonzalez’s mistake was particularly painful, because he failed to move the runner in the ninth inning.
