Dodgers use seven-run inning to blast Rockies 13-4 in first meeting of 2023

New season, same David-vs.-Goliath storyline when the Rockies play the Dodgers.

Los Angeles walloped Colorado 13-4 on Monday night in the first of 13 meetings between the divisional rivals this year. The Dodgers, owners of a 59-28 record against the Rockies over the past five seasons, added to that tally at Chavez Ravine thanks to a seven-run fifth.

Colorado entered the bottom of that inning up 4-2, and Ryan Feltner was looking solid in his first start of the year in the back end of the rotation. But after two quick outs to start the frame, the game changed in a matter of about 10 minutes. L.A. chased Feltner and then proceeded to blast right-hander Jake Bird, punctuated by Jason Heyward’s two-run homer to make it 9-4.

“(Feltner’s) got to smell the finish line there, and he just couldn’t do it,” Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters. “Then Jake came in and got a number of pitches up in the strike zone and they took advantage of it.

“It’s frustrating for sure, because the game flipped. We had the momentum on our side, with two outs in the fifth after taking the lead, then a hit by (first baseman Freddie) Freeman and a couple full-count walks got their momentum back.”

Feltner finished with a career-high seven strikeouts, but also five walks, the final two of which opened the door for L.A.’s big fifth.

“We’ve got to get over the efficiency hurdle (with Feltner),” Black said. “There’s too often that the pitch count is run up there (too early), and he’s got to be in the strike zone more often.”

The Dodgers finished with 13 hits to Colorado’s six, three of which came in the Rockies’ four-run top of the fifth, before the game went sideways for a club that’s now lost three straight after an encouraging 2-0 start.

In Colorado’s fifth, the visitors finally got to Dodgers southpaw Michael Grove. The rookie walked Ryan McMahon and Mike Moustakas to open the frame before Elias Diaz’s double plated two runs. That chased Grove from the game, giving way to old friend Yency Almonte, who pitched for the Rockies from 2018-21. Almonte was also tagged for two runs.