Dodgers Blow Late Lead, Lose Second Straight to Rockies

LA's bullpen struggles as Colorado rallies for 9-6 victory at Coors Field.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:19pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game, with overlapping planes of green, brown, and blue representing the field, players, and stadium.The Dodgers' bullpen struggles exposed in a chaotic, high-scoring loss at Coors Field.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost their second consecutive game to the Colorado Rockies, 9-6, on Sunday after blowing an early 3-0 lead. Starter Roki Sasaki had a strong outing until the Rockies rallied in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game. The Dodgers briefly retook the lead, but the Rockies scored six unanswered runs late to secure the victory.

Why it matters

The Dodgers' loss drops them to 2-3 on the young season and raises early concerns about their bullpen's ability to protect leads. Colorado's comeback win at hitter-friendly Coors Field also demonstrates the Rockies' potential to be a surprise contender in the NL West.

The details

The Dodgers jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first four innings, with RBI hits from Alex Freeland and Shohei Ohtani. But the Rockies chipped away, tying the game by the end of the fifth inning on a Kyle Karros solo homer. The Dodgers briefly retook the lead, but the Rockies scored six unanswered runs late, including a two-run homer off Blake Treinen and a two-run single against Edwin Diaz, to pull away.

  • The Dodgers scored three runs in the third and fourth innings to take an early 3-0 lead.
  • The Rockies tied the game 3-3 by the end of the fifth inning.
  • The Dodgers briefly retook the lead 4-3 in the sixth inning.
  • The Rockies scored six unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings to win 9-6.

The players

Roki Sasaki

The Dodgers' starting pitcher, who allowed three runs over 4.2 innings.

Alex Freeland

The Dodgers' outfielder, who had an RBI single to give LA an early lead.

Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers' designated hitter, who hit an RBI double to extend his on-base streak to 51 games.

Blake Treinen

The Dodgers' relief pitcher, who gave up a two-run homer that put the Rockies ahead.

Edwin Diaz

The Dodgers' relief pitcher, who allowed a two-run single that extended the Rockies' lead.

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What they’re saying

“We had a great start, but just couldn't hold on. The bullpen has to be better at protecting leads, especially in a tough place like Coors Field.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

What’s next

The Dodgers will look to split the series with the Rockies in Monday's finale, with Justin Wrobleski taking the mound for LA.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' early-season bullpen struggles are a concerning trend, as they've now blown two late leads against the Rockies. If LA wants to remain a top contender in the NL West, they'll need to shore up their relief corps to protect leads, especially in hitter-friendly parks like Coors Field.