Phoenix – Closer Brian Fuentes, his left shoulder packed in ice, flashed a big grin in the clubhouse Wednesday night after the Rockies’ 8-7 comeback victory over the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
“It got kind of hairy out there, didn’t it?” Fuentes said. “In the beginning I was all over the place. I’m not sure what was going on.”
Despite giving up a walk and allowing the tying run to get to second base in the ninth, Fuentes closed out the Dodgers by striking out Willy Aybar with a pitch outside the strike zone and inducing a groundout from Oscar Robles. It was Fuentes’ 28th save in 31 attempts and 14th in a row, the type of bullpen performance the team has become accustomed to.
“I never have a doubt when it comes to Brian,” said Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins, who clubbed a grand slam in the fifth to spark the Rockies’ comeback. “We know now that our comebacks will stand up. The bullpen is holding onto those one- and two-run leads for us now, and we’re getting some clutch hits. Even when we’re behind, we think we’ve got a chance because the bullpen will hold it together for us.”
It’s not just Fuentes, but setup man Mike DeJean and middle relievers David Cortes and Scott Dohmann who have come through to convert a team weakness into a team strength.
After a three-month stint with Triple-A Colorado Springs, Dohmann seems to be maturing as a big-league reliever. Since getting called up Aug. 2, he has posted a 0.57 ERA in 14 games.
“The biggest plus for us this year is holding the lead after six or seven innings and being able to put games away,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Now, we’re the ones putting away games after we get leads. It’s had a positive effect on the entire team.”
During the first three months of the season, the Rockies were 26-50. Many of those losses could be pinned on a bullpen that was 5-14 with a 5.63 ERA and converted just 12-of-24 save opportunities.
Since July 1, the Rockies are 32-36, their relievers are 11-7 with a 4.03 ERA and have converted 22-of-22 save opportunities.
KIM HURTING: Starter Byung-Hyun Kim tweaked his right hip Wednesday night and it affected his performance. Typically, Kim throws an 89-91 mph fastball, but his velocity fell to 84 mph at one point. Kim left after four innings and didn’t figure in the decision.
Hurdle said he didn’t think Kim’s injury was serious, and he allowed Kim to stay in Los Angeles for some free time Thursday on the team’s off day. Kim will join the team in Phoenix today and his hip will be evaluated.
DODGER KILLERS: Last year, the Rockies were the Dodgers’ late-season patsies. L.A. beat Colorado five times in seven games in September en route to the National League West title. This year, the Rockies won seven of their past eight games against the Dodgers to severely damage L.A.’s postseason chances. For the first time in franchise history, the Rockies won two series at Dodger Stadium.
“These wins were huge for us, not just because we beat the Dodgers, but because everybody pitched in,” Fuentes said. “I think this will give us a lot of confidence when we come back here next year.”
FOOTNOTE: With four at-bats in tonight’s game against the Diamondbacks, left fielder Matt Holliday will have enough to officially take his place among the National League leaders. Holliday, who went 1-for-4 against the Dodgers on Wednesday, is hitting .298. That average would currently tie him with the Dodgers’ Jeff Kent for 15th place in the NL.
Todd Helton ranks sixth with a .307 average.
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or at psaunders@denverpost.com.
