Dodgers at Rockies
Not having a weapon like Nolan Arenado in the lineup would be a major blow to most teams, but the Colorado Rockies haven't missed a beat. Ryan McMahon hopes to provide more offensive punch in Arenado's place when the Rockies host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday for the finale of their four-game series.
Since Arenado exited Friday's contest with a sore shoulder and was limited to pinch-hitting duties, McMahon has filled the void more than admirably, belting game-winning home runs in back-to-back games - including a three-run shot with two outs in the ninth inning on Saturday that gave Colorado a 3-2 victory. The 23-year-old McMahon, who has seen action at every infield position except shortstop this season, has gone 6-for-13 with the two homers and six RBIs in his last five contests. The Rockies are 3-3 on their seven-game homestand and 1 1/2 games behind National League West co-leaders Arizona and Los Angeles, which is 2-3 on its six-game road trip. Justin Turner is riding a six-game hitting streak that has featured three consecutive two-hit performances and four overall during the run.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (5-4, 3.62 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (5-2, 5.67)
Hill won his third straight decision on Tuesday as he allowed just two runs at Oakland despite yielding three hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. All three of the 38-year-old Boston native's triumphs during his streak have come on the road, where he has posted a 3.12 ERA - a full run lower than his mark at home. Hill is 0-2 with a ghastly 8.80 ERA in three career starts in Colorado and fell to 0-4 in five overall turns against the Rockies on June 29, when he suffered a hard-luck loss after giving up one run and registering a season-high 10 strikeouts over 6 2/3 frames.
Bettis' return from a blister that cost him more than a month was a disastrous one as he was battered by Pittsburgh for nine runs on eight hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. It marked the second time in four outings the 29-year-old Texan surrendered at least eight runs in fewer than five frames, with both instances occurring at home. Bettis, who owns a hideous 9.74 ERA at home but a 2.88 mark on the road, is 2-2 with a 5.14 ERA in 13 career appearances (10 starts) against the Dodgers - including a pair of no-decisions at Los Angeles this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers SS/3B Manny Machado has hit safely in six of his last seven games but hasn't recorded an RBI in his last 11 contests.
2. Colorado has gone 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position in its back-to-back wins.
3. Los Angeles LHP Alex Wood (adductor) is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list and start against San Francisco on Tuesday.