Ryan McMahon hit a go-ahead home run in the fifth inning, helping the last-place Colorado Rockies bounce back after losing a three-run lead to defeat the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3 on Saturday night.
With the Dodgers’ 92 wins, this loss means that, for the first time since 2014, no team in the major leagues will reach 100 wins, not counting the 60-game season shortened by the pandemic in 2020.
The Dodgers’ lead in the division is now down to three games over second-place San Diego, which won against the Chicago White Sox. Los Angeles could only manage one hit after the fifth inning.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani stole his 53rd base in the ninth. He has now successfully stolen 30 bases in a row since July 23.
“He gets the big lead and it feels like five steps he’s at second base,” Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings said.
Ohtani, who is now the 50-50 king, remains at 52 home runs. He had a single, a walk, scored a run, and struck out on the final giveaway night of the season.
The first 40,000 fans in the sellout crowd of 52,267 received an Ohtani T-shirt. Earlier, his two bobblehead promotions caused heavy traffic and long lines.
In the ninth inning, the Dodgers loaded the bases against Seth Halvorsen with two outs. Ohtani had a single, and Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman walked before Max Muncy struck out.
“A really good win for us,” Rockies starter Cal Quantrill said. “At times we’ve had a hard time holding leads. Our bullpen in the last few weeks has been terrific and gave me the freedom to pitch the way I wanted to.”
Halvorsen got his first major league save after finding out he would pitch the ninth inning right after the eighth.
“Seth’s been super impressive to all of us older guys,” Stallings said. “He didn’t look like his heartbeat was fast at all.”
McMahon’s homer came off starter Walker Buehler (1-6), marking the third baseman’s fifth straight season with 20 or more home runs.
Four of the Rockies’ six runs were scored on hits with two outs and two strikes, including Charlie Blackmon’s two-run homer in the ninth off Daniel Hudson.
