Rockies can't solve Maeda in 4-1 loss to Dodgers
DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies rolled out a new lineup against Kenta Maeda.
Didn't work. Nothing worked. Maeda was simply pitching that well in his first appearance at Coors Field.
Maeda held Colorado hitless into the sixth inning, A.J. Ellis lined a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Rockies 4-1 on Saturday night.
"He doesn't miss much," outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said. "In the big leagues, you've got to pitch that way. You've got to paint and he was definitely painting today. He was going inside, outside so it's tough to pick up. It was a good game for him."
The Rockies moved rookie Trevor Story to the leadoff spot and batted Gonzalez second, followed by Nolan Arenado. The explanation was simple: manager Walt Weiss wanted to front-load his potent lineup.
Sound strategy. Only, they ran into Maeda.
"He commanded everything. It looked like we were never really in sync with him, we were never in rhythm," Weiss said. "It's because he threw everything for strikes."
Maeda (3-0) allowed three hits — all in the sixth — no runs and struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings as the right-hander from Japan lowered his ERA to 0.36.
With a wind-up reminiscent of countryman Hideo Nomo, Maeda was cruising along until one out in the sixth when DJ LeMahieu — hitting in the No. 9 spot — singled for Colorado's first hit. Nomo remains the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter at Coors Field — on Sept. 17, 1996.
"First time pitching at Coors Field, first time against that offensive firepower they have over there, I can't say enough what Kenta was able to do," Ellis said. "It's beyond impressive."
Ellis hit his first homer of the season in the second to help the Dodgers end a five-game slide in Denver. Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his eighth save.
Tyler Chatwood (2-2) allowed three runs before exiting after the fourth with an elevated pitch count. He missed last season after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery.
"I didn't have command of anything really," Chatwood said. "It was just not very good overall."
Maeda was untouchable most of the night by keeping the Rockies off balance with a nasty breaking ball mixed in with a pinpoint fastball.
Early on, the Dodgers defense did their part to keep the no-hitter intact with left fielder Enrique Hernandez making a full-sprint, over-the-shoulder catch to rob Tony Wolters of an extra-base hit in the fifth.
An inning earlier, third baseman Howie Kendrick shifted over to shallow right field with Gonzalez at the plate. Gonzalez sent a hard liner that Kendrick easily caught.
So dominant most of the night, Maeda ran into trouble in the sixth after LeMahieu's single. He gave up another to Story and then an infield single to Gonzalez to load the bases. But he retired Arenado and Gerardo Parra to get out of the inning.
The 28-year-old Maeda faced one batter — striking out Ryan Raburn — in the seventh before turning it over to the bullpen. The shutout was spoiled later in the inning on an RBI double from Brandon Barnes.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Yimi Garcia (biceps soreness) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Righty Zach Lee was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. ... LHP Scott Kazmir is dealing with a sore left thumb/wrist but is still scheduled to start Wednesday against Miami. ... INF Justin Turner wasn't in the lineup after having his big toe stepped on by Rockies catcher Tony Wolters on Friday.
Rockies: C Nick Hundley (concussion) will play two rehab games in Las Vegas with Triple-A Albuquerque as he tests a new mask with more padding. He may be activated Monday, "if all goes well," manager Walt Weiss said. ... OF Charlie Blackmon (turf toe) could be sent out on a rehab assignment as soon as next week.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (1-2) tries to bounce back after allowing six runs — three earned — in four innings during an 8-1 loss to Atlanta last Tuesday.
Rockies: RHP Jordan Lyles (1-1) is 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA in his career against Los Angeles.