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The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward, left, celebrates his grand slam with teammate Miguel Rojas during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steps to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs up the first base line after grounding out during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Colorado Rockies’ Ryan McMahon follows the flight of his two-run double during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Colorado Rockies’ Ezequiel Tovar runs home to score on a Ryan McMahon double during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Colorado Rockies pinch-hitter Elehuris Montero follows through with his swing after connecting for a two-run home run during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers left fielder Miguel Vargas tries to catch a ball hit for a two-run home run by Colorado Rockies pinch-hitter Elehuris Montero during the second inning on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Colorado Rockies’ Alan Trejo, left, congratulates pinch-hitter Elehuris Montero as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani grounds out to drive in a run during the third inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to first base for the out on the Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Jones during the third inning on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Colorado Rockies’ Brenton Doyle hits a home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler watches the flight of a solo home run hit by the Colorado Rockies’ Brenton Doyle during the fourth inning on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Colorado Rockies’ Brenton Doyle celebrates after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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The Colorado Rockies’ Brenton Doyle celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Anthony Banda throws to the plate during the fifth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani follows through after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani circles the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, is congratulated by third base coach Dino Ebel as he circles the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, is congratulated by teammate Will Smith after hitting a long solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani lines out during the seventh inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle, center, celebrates with teammates Nolan Jones, left, and Jake Cave after making a catch on a ball hit by Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during the seventh inning on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Petersen throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas, left, tags out the Colorado Rockies’ Hunter Goodman after a rundown between first and second base during the seventh inning on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Petersen throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers pinch-hitter Jason Heyward watches the flight of his grand slam during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley reacts after giving up a grand slam to Dodgers pinch-hitter Jason Heyward during the ninth inning on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward blows a bubble as he runs the bases after hitting a grand slam during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers fans cheer during the top of the ninth inning of the team’s game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani breaks from the batter’s box after hitting a single during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez hits a three-run, go-ahead home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández hits a go-ahead, three-run home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez drops his bat as he watches the flight of his three-run, go-ahead home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. The Dodgers scored seven runs in the ninth on a Jason Heyward grand slam and Hernandez’s homer to erase a five-run deficit in an 11-9 win. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run, go-ahead home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run, go-ahead home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a go-ahead, three-run home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik reacts after giving up a go-ahead, three-run home run to the Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández during the ninth inning on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, right, gestures to third base coach Dino Ebel as he runs the bases after hitting a go-ahead, three-run home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run, go-ahead home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández yells as he crosses home plate after hitting a go-ahead, three-run home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, congratulates Teoscar Hernández, who hit a go-ahead, three-run home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips celebrates after striking out the Colorado Rockies’ Hunter Goodman for the final out of their 11-9 comeback victory on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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From left, Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández, center fielder Andy Pages and right fielder Jason Heyward celebrate after their 11-9 comeback victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after their 11-9 comeback victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller talks with reporters before their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Dodgers utility man Chris Taylor warms up before their game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER — It was a comeback for the ages.
The Dodgers struck for seven runs in the ninth inning on the strength of a grand slam by pinch-hitter Jason Heyward and a three-run home run by Teoscar Hernandez, turning a five-run deficit into an 11-9 victory on Tuesday night as part of a slugfest between the NL West-leading Dodgers and the last-place Rockies.
“It was quality of at-bat up and down the lineup,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Jason was ready when called upon. Teo, he keeps coming up with big hits. That inning, certainly, the results showed the fight, the compete.”
According to Elias, the last time the Dodgers overcame a deficit of five runs or more in the ninth inning or later was July 18, 1957 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Tyler Kinley issued two walks around a single to Miguel Rojas as the Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, bringing up Heyward, who was batting for Chris Taylor. Heyward came through with his fourth career grand slam, hitting the foul pole down the right field line to bring the Dodgers to within 9-8.
“I wasn’t sure if that was going to stay fair or not,” Heyward said. “It’s Colorado, so maybe that helped straighten it out a little bit. But given that it was a slider and in the location it was, it definitely was a tough pitch to keep fair. I was like, ‘Come on, come on, squeak in, squeak in, and it hit off the pole,’ and I said, ‘all right, we’re good.’ I honestly feel like we got rewarded for our process” in the ninth.
Heyward was the first Dodger to hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the ninth inning or later since Dave Hansen on June 28, 1993, against San Francisco, and the first Dodger with a pinch-hit slam since Matt Kemp on June 23, 2018 against the New York Mets.
“When Jason hit the grand slam, and turned the lineup up to Ohtani, you knew something was going to happen,” Hernandez said. “It was not going to go and end like that.”
Victor Vodnik relieved Kinley and Shohei Ohtani singled to keep the rally alive. Will Smith struck out looking after attempting to step out of the batter’s box on a 3-and-2 pitch for the second out. After a wild pitch, Freddie Freeman was walked intentionally, bringing up Hernandez.
With two strikes, Hernandez checked his swing on a 1-and-2 fastball. Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman appealed the call but first base umpire Lance Barksdale ruled he didn’t go around. Rockies manager Bud Black argued the ruling and was ejected.
“It was close but now that I saw the replay, I don’t think so,” Hernandez said. “But I mean, you can call it either way.”
Hernandez drilled the next pitch he saw from Vodnik (1-1) for his 18th homer of the season, a three-run shot into right center field that put the Dodgers over the top.
“I knew as soon as I hit it,” Hernandez said. “It was great, especially because I put the team ahead.”
Hernandez became the first Dodger to hit a go-ahead home run with his team trailing and two outs in the ninth inning or later since Yasiel Puig on July 14, 2017 at Miami.
Michael Petersen (1-0) allowed one run in two innings to pick up the win in his major league debut and Alex Vesia notched his 11th save.
“It’s exciting,” said Petersen, who got his first big league call-up three days ago and had relatives in the stands after toiling in the minor leagues for a decade. “I mean, the debut was insane, more than I can imagine. And honestly, just helping this organization get a win felt awesome.”
“It was crazy. You can’t feel anything. It’s like your first date, you are tripping over stuff. But awesome.”
Ohtani and Andy Pages homered earlier for the Dodgers. Ohtani’s homer off of Austin Gomber leading off the sixth was his 20th of the season and landed in the stand of evergreens beyond the center field fence, traveling 476 feet, the longest home run in the majors this season.
Tuesday’s epic turnaround masked another concerning outing by star pitcher Walker Buehler, who is struggling to regain his form after missing the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Even before the game, Roberts counseled patience for Buehler.
“The competitor in him wants and expects him to go out there and pitch as an ace tonight, right now, but I think it’s a coach’s job to kind of temper expectations at certain times,” Roberts said before Tuesday’s game.
His words of caution played out in the heat of the game as Buehler was hit hard early.
Buehler hit the first batter he faced, Charlie Blackmon, with a pitch and the next three batters he faced all connected for hits. He trailed 4-0 after the first inning and wound up going four innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits, including home runs by Elehuris Montero and Brenton Doyle. It was the first time Buehler allowed more than three earned runs since returning to the rotation May 6. He struck out two and walked one.
His ERA stands at 5.84 eight starts into a comeback campaign that includes his first win in nearly two years but also a series of ragged outings that demonstrate the rocky road he faces in recapturing his dominating mound presence, epitomized by his 16-win season in 2021.
The Rockies Doyle played a big role in quashing a potential game-turning rally in the seventh. With two outs and two on, Ohtani hit a sinking liner that center fielder Doyle sprinted after, leaping at the last moment to catch the ball in mid-air before crashing to the ground. The play robbed Ohtani of extra bases and deprived the Dodgers of two runs.
Heyward with the grand slam!! 💣💥 pic.twitter.com/V0mVaTL1Yr
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 19, 2024
GO-AHEAD TEO! 😤 pic.twitter.com/NdUi2LMIRx
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 19, 2024
.@kirsten_watson speaks with Teoscar Hernández about his game winning home run and the #Dodgers comeback.
Catch all the action with #DodgersTV, on us!
🔗: https://t.co/i0HWddfBus pic.twitter.com/uByJKJ4zVN— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 19, 2024
476 feet from Shohei. pic.twitter.com/0wXOR7Czyf
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 19, 2024
