Missed opportunities cost Rockies in 4-3 loss to Dodgers

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Colorado Rockies had plenty of chances against teenage prospect Julio Urias and a shaky Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen on Tuesday night. They

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Colorado Rockies had plenty of chances against teenage prospect Julio Urias and a shaky Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen on Tuesday night.

They just couldn't deliver the big hit when needed, and it ultimately cost them in the ninth inning.

Trayce Thompson hit a game-ending homer to give the Dodgers a 4-3 win over the Rockies on Tuesday night in Urias' home debut.

The Rockies battled back from a 3-0 deficit to tie it 3-3 in the seventh but never managed to pull ahead. They stranded 10 on base and were 2 for 10 with men in scoring position

''I felt like we were one hit away from taking the lead,'' Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. ''We had a couple of opportunities, we just missed them.''

The 19-year-old Urias struck out seven over four innings for the Dodgers. The Mexican left-hander allowed three hits and one run and was removed after 86 pitches with his workload being strictly monitored in just his third career start. It was by far his best outing after surrendering 13 hits and eight earned runs in his first 7 2/3 innings.

''I felt confident,'' Urias said through an interpreter. ''I felt better because it was my third outing.''

Kenley Jansen (2-1) got the win after pitching a scoreless ninth.

Thompson's two-out blast in the ninth off Carlos Estevez (1-3) gave the Dodgers their 11th win in the past 16 games.

''I tried to go down and away and it just ran back and it was down-middle,'' Estevez said. ''He got all of it.''

Urias kept the Rockies offense in check early.

With runners on first and second and one out in the first, Urias got Carlos Gonzalez swinging through a high fastball to earn a loud roar of approval from the crowd. When he followed with a strikeout of Trevor Story to end the inning, the fans rose to their feet.

''I felt like a dream was completed,'' Urias said. ''I felt comfortable, very happy pitching here.''

Justin Turner provided an early lead in the bottom of the first with a three-run homer of Eddie Butler.

From there, Urias blossomed. He retired eight his next 10 batters, including five via strikeout, to depart with a 3-1 lead. An RBI double by Nolan Arenado in the third was his only blemish.

The Rockies battled back to tie it against the bullpen. Daniel Descalso led off the seventh with a pinch-hit home run off Joe Blanton, and Gonzalez tied it with a two-out RBI single off Pedro Baez that deflected off second baseman Utley's glove.

The Rockies never could take the lead though. They had the go-ahead run on each of the final three innings, and failed to bring it home each time.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: OF Charlie Blackmon (rest) did not start but entered as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. He struck out to end his consecutive on-base streak at 32 games.

FAMILY AND HISTORY

Urias' parents made the 1,096-mile trip from Culiacan, Mexico to see his Dodger Stadium debut in person.

They - and the 41,525 fans in attendance - witnessed history on a few counts.

Urias' seven strikeouts were the most by a Dodgers teenager since 19-year old Don Drysdale struck out nine for the Brooklyn Dodgers against Philadelphia on April 23, 1956.

Urias also became the youngest Dodger to take the field at Dodger Stadium since Adrian Beltre in 1998 and the youngest Dodger pitcher to make a start in Chavez Ravine since Dick Calmus on Aug. 23, 1963 against Milwaukee.

SAD STORY

Story went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts, the second four-strikeout game of the rookie shortstop's career.

He now leads the National League with 85 strikeouts this season. He is also tied for second in the NL with 16 home runs.

UP NEXT

Rockies: LHP Chris Rusin (1-4, 4.62) is winless since moving into the starting rotation on April 30. He has a 6.00 ERA in six starts this season compared to a 1.72 ERA in five relief appearances.

Dodgers: RHP Kenta Maeda (5-3, 2.84) aims to win his third straight start after allowing only one earned run in his last 11 1/3 innings.