Narrative Statements:
In a game filled with dramatic swings, the Los Angeles Dodgers displayed their resilience in stunning fashion on Tuesday night. Jason Heyward hit a pinch-hit grand slam, followed by Teoscar Hernandez's three-run homer, all within a breathless seven-run ninth inning. The Dodgers orchestrated an electrifying 11-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies, rewriting a long-standing narrative of ninth-inning futility.
Dramatic Rally Ends Record Losing Streak
The Dodgers had previously lost 1,137 consecutive games when trailing by five or more runs in the ninth inning or later, a streak dating back to 1957. This was the second-longest active losing streak in such scenarios, with only the Mariners holding a longer streak at 1,234 consecutive losses. This monumental comeback improved the Dodgers' all-time record to 6-2,619 under these grim conditions.
The seven-run explosion in the ninth inning was the most they had scored in a ninth inning since 2004 against the San Francisco Giants.
Heyward's Heroics Ignite the Comeback
Jason Heyward's fourth career grand slam, which came off Tyler Kinley, served as the catalyst for the Dodgers' rally. The grand slam came after walks by Andy Pages and Miguel Vargas, and a single by Miguel Rojas, bringing the Dodgers closer on the scoreboard. Heyward’s fourth homer of the season hit the right-field foul pole, reducing the Rockies' lead significantly.
Trailing 7-2 in the fourth inning, the Dodgers appeared to be heading for another disappointing loss. However, the tide began to turn when Shohei Ohtani hit a 476-foot homer in the fifth inning. Ohtani later singled off pitcher Victor Vodnik (1-1) before Will Smith struck out looking, adding to the excitement.
Controversy and Hernandez’s Decisive Shot
Freddie Freeman received an intentional walk, his sixth walk in the last two games, setting the stage for Hernandez's heroics. Hernandez took a half-swing at a 1-2 fastball only for first base umpire Lance Barksdale to rule that Hernandez did not commit to the swing. Colorado manager Bud Black vehemently argued the call and was subsequently ejected from the game.
Hernandez capitalized on the opportunity, smashing his 18th home run to make it 11-9. This marked the first time in their 140-year history that the Dodgers hit both a grand slam and a three-run homer in the ninth inning.
The ensuing drama did not end there. After Hernandez's ball cleared the wall, Colorado right fielder Jake Cave stepped toward Barksdale in frustration. Rockies second baseman Alan Trejo had to intervene, stepping between Cave and Barksdale when the inning concluded. Relief pitcher Evan Phillips sealed the win, recording his 11th save by getting the only batter he faced, Hunter Goodman, out with a runner on second.
Rockies' Early Dominance
Despite the late-game fireworks, the Rockies had several standout moments. Elehuris Montero and Brenton Doyle each homered, with the Rockies scoring four runs in the first inning and twice holding five-run leads. Doyle added three singles, marking his first career four-hit game, and made a diving catch of Ohtani's line drive to right-center field with runners on first and second and two outs in the seventh inning, preserving an 8-4 lead at that time.
Pitching Struggles for Both Teams
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler struggled, giving up eight hits and seven runs in four innings. This outing was uncharacteristic for the 29-year-old right-hander, who hadn't allowed more than three earned runs in any start since returning to the rotation on May 6 after missing the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery. Buehler struck out two and walked one in his short stint.
On the other side, reliever Michael Petersen (1-0) had a notable major league debut, working two innings and striking out two.
Manager and Player Reactions
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts praised the quality at-bats throughout the lineup. "Jason was ready when called upon. Teo keeps coming up with big hits. That inning certainly showed the fight, the compete," Roberts stated.
Heyward, reflecting on his key grand slam, said, "I wasn't sure if it was going to stay fair or not. It's Colorado, so maybe that helped it straighten out a little bit. I honestly feel like we got rewarded for our process in the ninth."
Hernandez added, "It was close. You can call it either way, and it will be fine. When Jason hit the grand slam and turned the lineup over to Ohtani, you know something was going to happen. I just wanted to get a good pitch to hit to tie the game. I put a little extra, and it went over the fence."
On the flip side, Cave expressed his frustration with the umpiring decision. "When I'm running in before the last of the ninth, he looked me right in the face and goes, 'Cave, it's not even close.' Everybody in the world could see it was at least close. And he did swing," Cave lamented.
Petersen's debut also drew attention. "It was crazy. It's like your first date; you are tripping over stuff. But awesome," Petersen said.
Ultimately, the Dodgers’ thrilling comeback not only broke a historical losing streak but also highlighted the team's tenacity and resolve in high-pressure situations.