The Colorado Rockies broke out for 16 hits and took advantage of Shohei Ohtani’s struggles in his first pitching start at Coors Field, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-3 on Wednesday night.
Hunter Goodman led the way for Colorado with three hits and three RBIs, while rookie starter Tanner Gordon turned in one of his strongest performances of the season. The right-hander, who had allowed 26 earned runs in his previous four outings, limited Los Angeles to a single run over six innings, striking out four and walking two. The win improved Gordon to 4-5.
Ohtani (0-1), making his first start in Denver, endured one of the roughest outings of his career. The reigning National League MVP gave up five earned runs on nine hits across four innings, tying a career high for hits allowed. His night took an additional turn in the fourth inning when Colorado’s Orlando Arcia lined a 93-mph shot off Ohtani’s right thigh. The two-way star grimaced and limped but remained in the game to finish the inning. He drew a walk in the fifth but was removed for a pinch-hitter in the eighth. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame that the ball avoided Ohtani’s knee and expects him to return to the lineup Friday against San Diego after a scheduled day off.
The Rockies, who entered with the worst record in Major League Baseball at 37-90, have quietly put together an intense stretch with seven wins in their last nine games. The victory also snapped a recent run of dominance by Los Angeles, which had won 28 of the previous 35 head-to-head meetings since 2022.
Colorado’s offense struck early and often, with Jordan Beck contributing three hits, while Tyler Freeman, Brenton Doyle, and Mickey Moniak had two. Arcia added two RBIs, including the liner that struck Ohtani, while Doyle raised his post-All-Star break batting average to .386, the best in the majors over that span. Goodman’s RBI single in the first inning set the tone, and a three-run fourth, capped by Freeman’s run-scoring hit to right field, extended the lead to 5-0.
The Dodgers tried to climb back, with Miguel Rojas driving in two runs and Teoscar Hernández hitting his 21st homer of the season, a solo shot in the sixth. Still, Colorado maintained control throughout, with relievers Nick Mears and Victor Vodnik combining to finish the final three innings.
For Los Angeles, the loss marked its sixth in the last 10 games, tightening the NL West race. The Dodgers hold just a two-game lead over the San Diego Padres, who continue to apply pressure in the division standings. Despite the setback, Ohtani extended his on-base streak to 18 games with a double and a walk before exiting.
The Rockies will look to secure a series win on Thursday. Colorado sends right-hander Chase Dollander (2-9, 6.43 ERA) to the mound against veteran Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (7-2, 3.01 ERA). Sportsbooks have Los Angeles favored at -185 with Colorado listed at +160, reflecting the Dodgers’ overall edge despite Wednesday’s result.
The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. local time at Coors Field.