LOS ANGELES – On Jackie Robinson Day, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies, winning the first two games of the series, 6-2 on Tuesday night in front of 53,198 fans at Dodger Stadium.
In honor of the 78th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, the Dodgers shone brightly. Will Smith opened the game up with a three-run home run to left field off right-hander Jake Bird, connecting with a 92 mph sinker. This marked Smith’s second home run of the season, and he also recorded his 12 RBI, leading the Dodgers with a .362 batting average.
“He just has a steady presence in the middle of the lineup,” Tommy Edman said. “He always has good at-bats and always seems to come through in those big moments. He had a huge home run today and just has done a great job all year.”
Will Smith hit a three run HR to left field.
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) April 16, 2025
LA leads 4-0 in the bottom of 3rd@sportingtrib | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/gEVHyei75F
With Teoscar Hernandez still recovering from an illness, Chris Taylor got the start in center field and made significant contributions in all phases of the game. He made an impressive diving catch to prevent a troublesome inning and later drove in two runs with a fielder’s choice in the second inning and a single to left field in the third.
Tommy Edman continued his hot hitting, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and two singles, matching his career high set in 2023. Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts went hitless on Jackie Robinson Day as Ohtani stole his fifth base this season. Freddie Freeman returned to the lineup for the second consecutive game, walking twice and collecting a single to right field as his only hit of the game. Freeman was caught stealing for the first time this season.
Right-hander Ryan Feltner started for the Rockies, pitching 2 ⅔ innings during which he allowed five hits, five runs, and six walks on 81 pitches. Struggling to find the strike zone, Rockies manager Bud Black replaced him with Jake Bird in the third inning, shortly before Bird gave up the home run to Smith. The Rockies’ bullpen managed to contain the Dodgers’ offense since replacing Feltner but then Dodgers capitalize on some mistakes, scoring on a Freeman single in the eighth inning.
The Dodgers had right-hander Landon Knack on the mound for the second time this season. He was one pitch away from completing three scoreless innings when Jacob Stallings hit a two-run double to left. Knack faced some challenges during his 4 ⅓ innings on the mound but was able to navigate through the first two innings without allowing a run, leaving multiple runners on base.
Knack, 27, had his first start of the season last week in Washington, where he pitched 2 ⅓ innings and allowed five runs, but the Dodgers managed to win that game 6-5. On Tuesday night, Knack threw 65 pitches, 41 of which were strikes, as he aggressively attacked hitters, walking two and striking out two. Left-hander Jack Dreyer relieved Knack and faced five hitters, striking out four in 1 ⅔ innings. Dreyer made the 26-man roster after spring training, and manager Dave Roberts noted that his mix of pitches is both electric and often untouchable.
This victory marks the second time this season that the Dodgers have recorded more than ten hits in a game. It's a promising sign as they return to the win column with one game remaining in this home stand before heading to Texas this weekend after an off day on Thursday, where they will take on the Rangers in a three-game series.
Right-hander Bobby Miller is set to make his season debut on Wednesday night. He had been sidelined for a few weeks after being struck in the head by a line drive on February 21 against the Chicago Cubs and was placed in concussion protocol due to headaches. At that time, Miller was competing for the fifth starter position, but his injury led to Dustin May ultimately winning the last spot in the rotation.
Last season, Miller faced challenges, finishing with a record of 2-4 and an 8.52 ERA over 56 innings of action. He was expected to be considered for a rotation spot, but after his injury, that opportunity faded.
Miller will take the mound for the Dodgers (13-6) in the series finale against the Rockies, who will send German Marquez (0-2, 4.60 ERA) to the mound as they attempt to secure their fourth win of the season (3-14).