Prior to this afternoon’s game, manager Clint Hurdle sat in the dugout and painted a stark picture about what’s gone wrong with the Rockies this season. He cited the bullpen’s inability to get key outs, as well as the failure of his hitters to come through when it counts the most.
Meanwhile, in the clubhouse, there was a 15-minute, players-only meeting.
Then the Rockies went out and lost, 8-6, via a paint-by-numbers replica of everything Hurdle had talked about.
The Dodgers scored four runs in the seventh inning, picking on starter Ubaldo Jimenez and relievers Manuel Corpas and Randy Flores.
The Rockies staged a three-run rally in the ninth against Dodgers’ closer Jonathan Broxton. But with the bases loaded, Troy Tulowitzki struck out on a 2-2 slider for the second out. Tulowitzki went 0-for-5, striking out three times.
Broxton then walked Todd Helton, forcing in a run and making it 8-6. Up to the plate stepped pinch hitter Brad Hawpe, who’s been battling a sore groin. Hawpe grounded out weakly to short. Game over.
The Rockies have lost eight of nine to the Dodgers and trail L.A. by 14 games in the National League West. In sweeping the three-game series, the Dodgers outscored the Rockies 31-10.
The loss was the Rockies’ fifth consecutive at home, this one coming in front of 22,277 fans who let their displeasure with the home team be known. The Rockies are 10 games under .500, (18-28), exactly where they were at this point last season.
Before a too-little, too-late rally in the ninth, the Rockies managed just four hits but led 3-2 into the seventh.
Trouble began when Jimenez walked Matt Kemp and Juan Castro followed with a single to left. Jimenez struck out pinch hitter Casey Blake for the second out. But Juan Pierre singled to left to score Kemp, tying the game and knocking Jiminez from the game.
In came Corpas, and up stepped Mark Loretta, who punched a hanging slider into center, scoring Castro. Corpas then walked Orlando Hudson, loading the bases. In came Flores and up stepped James Loney. He powered Flores’ fastball to center for a three-run double.
The Dodgers are 33-15.
The Rockies are off Thursday before opening a three-game series Friday at Coors Field against the Padres.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
