LOS ANGELES (AP) — Feeling inconsistent at the plate, Trayce Thompson looks no farther than the next locker down for advice.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw gives it to his friend straight.
“Swinging at too many balls,” Thompson said Kershaw told him. “I knew that, but it’s good to hear that, especially from him. If you want an honest assessment, ask 22.”
Thompson hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the fifth inning, when the Dodgers finally broke though against Kyle Freeland, and Los Angeles beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 on Monday night.
“He’s come on immediately and made an impact,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Thompson, acquired two weeks ago from Detroit. “Trayce was here to hit left-handed pitching and play good defense and that’s what he’s done.”
Julio Urías (7-6) won his fourth consecutive start, allowing one run and five hits in six innings. The left-hander struck out seven and walked one to beat the Rockies at Dodger Stadium for the first time.
“Another case for him to be an All-Star,” Roberts said.
The Rockies scored twice in the ninth and had runners at the corners before falling short.
Reyes Moronta gave up a leadoff homer to C.J. Cron, who was hitless in his first three at-bats with two strikeouts. After two flyouts, José Iglesias singled off the glove of third baseman Hanser Alberto, and Elías Díaz walked. Yency Almonte came in to face pinch-hitter Charlie Blackmon, who drove in Iglesias with a single. But then Almonte struck out Connor Joe swinging for his second career save. The other one came in 2020 with Colorado.
Los Angeles closer Craig Kimbrel is still sore after taking a line drive off his back. He’ll get the next couple of days off.
Mookie Betts had an RBI single with two…