Buehler strikes out 11, Dodgers beat Rox 5-1 for 20th win

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Walker Buehler struck out 11 over six sharp innings in his best outing of the shortened season, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers past the slumping Colorado Rockies 5-1 on Friday night.

The Dodgers (20-8) earned their ninth victory in 10 games and became the first team in the majors to win 20 this season. Every player in the Los Angeles lineup got a hit except Austin Barnes, although the catcher had an RBI with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Buehler (1-0) gave up four hits on 92 pitches in his fifth start of the season and didn't issue a walk in going past five innings for the first time. The right-hander was coming off his worst outing of the year. He gave up five runs (four earned) and six hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Angels last weekend.

But on this night Buehler turned a corner, challenging hitters and putting the ball in good spots. He retired the first 11 batters he faced. Charlie Blackmon, the majors’ leading hitter at .420, ripped a two-out single to center field in the fourth for the Rockies’ first hit.

Buehler gave up three consecutive singles to right by Drew Butera, Raimel Tapia and Trevor Story in the sixth. Story's shallow hit scored Butera for the Rockies' lone run. Buehler then got Blackmon on a swinging strikeout before Joc Pederson's running catch into the lower wall in right ended the inning and prevented the potential tying runs from scoring.

After an impressive start, the Rockies have lost a season-high five straight and 10 of 12 while dropping to .500. Jon Gray (1-3) gave up four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. The right-hander had two walks and no strikeouts.

Cody Bellinger's RBI double in the first gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

Los Angeles added three runs in the fourth on Matt Beaty's RBI single and Corey...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Buehler-strikes-out-11-Dodgers-beat-Rox-5-1-for-15506766.php