Dodgers rest their stars, still beat Rockies to complete sweep

April 16, 2021 9:05 AM — Posted by signsanaheim — Posted at business signage ,irvine sign company

  • The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the dugout before their baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. All players wore jersey number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • The Colorado Rockies take batting practice on Major League Baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Fans take photos of a statue of Jackie Robinson before a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. Jackie Robinson Day was celebrated to honor the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • A fan poses for a photo next to a statue of Jackie Robinson before a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. Jackie Robinson Day was celebrated to honor the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Fans watching batting practice on Major League Baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Fans take their seats before a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Julio Urias #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hands over a rosin bag to Justin Turner #10 before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. All players wore jersey number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: AJ Pollock #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a catch for an out of Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies, in front of Luke Raley #62, during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Austin Gomber #26 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Zach McKinstry #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to first as he is thrown out by Elias Diaz #35 of the Colorado Rockies during the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Colorado Rockies’ Raimel Tapia, right, is out at first with a throw to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Edwin Rios during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Yonathan Daza #2 of the Colorado Rockies reacts to jokes from fans during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Colorado Rockies’ Garrett Hampson, right, hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Garrett Hampson #1 of the Colorado Rockies reacts to his solo homerun, to take a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Colorado Rockies’ Garrett Hampson, right, runs the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias, left, stands on the mound. All players wore jersey number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Julio Urias #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after a solo home run from Garrett Hampson #1 of the Colorado Rockies, to take a 2-0 lead, during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Garrett Hampson #1 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates his solo home run with Ryan McMahon #24, to take a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Colorado Rockies’ Garrett Hampson, right, returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder AJ Pollock, bottom left, falls over the wall trying to catch a foul ball hit by Colorado Rockies’ Raimel Tapia, as fans try to catch the ball during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Colorado Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon does not catch a pop fly hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Julio Urias during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. Urias singled. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, right, hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. Julio Urias and Chris Taylor also scored. All players wore jersey number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs past C.J. Cron #25 of the Colorado Rockies after his three run homerun, to take a 3-2 lead, during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Austin Gomber #26 of the Colorado Rockies reacts to a three run homerun from Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to take a 3-2 lead, during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his three run home run with Julio Urias #7 and Chris Taylor #3, past Elias Diaz #35 of the Colorado Rockies, to take a 3-2 lead, during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, right, celebrates with Chris Taylor, left, after scoring a home run during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. Julio Urias and Chris Taylor also scored. All players wore jersey number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner celebrates after scoring a home run during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. Julio Urias and Chris Taylor also scored. All players wore jersey number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Julio Urias #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Dodgers right fielder Zach McKinstry drops a fly ball hit by Colorado Rockies’ Yonathan Daza during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Josh Fuentes #8 of the Colorado Rockies touches the plate behind Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, after a throwing error from Chris Taylor #3, to trail 5-3, during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Josh Fuentes #8 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates his run behind Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, after a throwing error from Chris Taylor #3, to trail 5-3, during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Will Smith #16 and Julio Urias #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers react after a Yonathan Daza #2 of the Colorado Rockies single, followed by two Dodger errors, allowing two runs on the play, to trail 5-3, during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Fans sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch of a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. All MLB players and some fans wore jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • The Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits a go-ahead, three-run home run during the seventh inning of Thursday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 7-5. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his three run homerun with Elias Diaz #35 of the Colorado Rockies and umpire Vic Carapazza, to take a 6-5 lead over the Colorado Rockies, during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his three run homerun, to take a 6-5 lead over the Colorado Rockies, during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his three run homerun, to take a 6-5 lead over the Colorado Rockies, during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy points to the sky as he approaches home plate after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. Chris Taylor and Justin Turner also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his three run homerun with Justin Turner #10, to take a 6-5 lead over the Colorado Rockies, during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Josh Fuentes #8 of the Colorado Rockies reacts to his out along with Dennis Santana #77 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Dodgers pitcher David Price celebrates the final out of their 7-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies, giving him the first regular-season save of his MLB career on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. All players wore jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, right, celebrates a 7-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies with pitcher David Price, center, and catcher Will Smith on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. All players wore jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies after their baseball game Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. All players wore jersey number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: A fan poses for a picture on Major League Baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Jackie Robinson statue on Major League Baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Fans take pictures on Major League Baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Prior to Thursday’s game, Dodgers players and staff gathered around the Jackie Robinson sculpture in the center field pavilion, pictured. Manager Dave Roberts spoke to the group about Robinson’s legacy on the day when MLB annually commemorates the anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • The Dodger Stadium video scoreboard plays a tribute to Jackie Robinson on MLB’s Jackie Robinson Day before Thursday’s game between the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Empty seats on Major League Baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES ― File this one under “weird flex, but OK.”

Mookie Betts and Corey Seager did not start the Dodgers’ series finale against the Colorado Rockies. The stars were granted a day’s rest in advance of a three-game weekend series against the San Diego Padres, who are tied for second place in the National League West.

Cody Bellinger was already on the injured list. Gavin Lux, Seager’s replacement at shortstop, was a late lineup scratch with a sore wrist. Manager Dave Roberts anointed 35-year-old David Price, who’s never saved a regular-season game in his career, the Dodgers’ closer for a day.

With one hand tied safely behind their backs, the Dodgers proceeded to beat the Rockies 7-5, completing a three-game series sweep before an announced limited-capacity sellout crowd of 15,129 at Dodger Stadium.

The Rockies were leading 5-3 with two outs in the seventh inning when Max Muncy launched a three-run home run off Yency Almonte (0-1). The Dodgers never trailed again. Will Smith added an insurance run when he scored from third base on a wild pitch, and Price recorded his first save in his 325th regular-season appearance.

“It’s fun to be out there to have a chance to help us win, to finish a baseball game,” Price said. “I haven’t had very many opportunities to do that. The opportunities I have, it’s definitely a different feeling and it’s a lot of fun.”

Price overcame back-to-back singles to strike out two batters in a row, then retired Raimel Tapia on a ground ball to end the game. Price kept the ball, received an official sticker of authentication, and planned to send it to his parents in Tennessee.

Thursday marked the 74th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Every player on every team wore Robinson’s jersey number 42, an annual April 15 tradition. It was a special occasion for Price, who pledged his salary for the day to The Players’ Alliance in Robinson’s honor. He said he’d never pitched on April 15 in any of his 12 major-league seasons.

When Roberts came to the Dodgers’ training room to tell Price he would be on the mound in a save situation?

“I can’t really repeat what I said,” Price said, “but I was excited for it.”

The Dodgers won all six games on their first homestand of 2021 and improved to 11-2 this season. The Rockies fell to 3-10.

Justin Turner hit his second home run in as many games, and also doubled as part of a 3-for-3 performance. Chris Taylor contributed a double to the Dodgers’ nine-hit attack.

Taylor’s most significant contribution was not with his bat, but his feet.

With one out in the seventh inning, Matt Beaty drew a walk. Taylor hit a potential double-play ground ball to third base, but he hustled down the line to beat the relay by a step. That kept the inning alive for Turner, who drew a walk.

Almonte fell behind Muncy 2-and-0, then left a changeup over the plate. Muncy didn’t miss, sending his third home run of the season into the right-field bleachers.

Julio Urías’ third start of 2021 was not his best. For five innings he limited the Rockies to three hits and two runs, courtesy of solo home runs by Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson. The sixth inning wasn’t merely a Waterloo for Urías. It was the Dodgers’ ugliest inning of the season.

With one out, McMahon doubled to left field, then scored the tying run on a line-drive single by C.J. Cron. Josh Fuentes scorched a ground ball to shortstop, and Taylor could only knock it down on the edge of the infield dirt. The Rockies were timing up Urías with ease.

After a quick visit from pitching coach Mark Prior, Urías struck out Elias Diaz for the second out. The next batter, Yonathan Daza, dropped a first-pitch fastball into right field for a single. Calamity ensued.

Zach McKinstry, filling in for Betts, fielded Daza’s flare on one hop. Gearing up for a throw to home plate, the rookie let the ball slip out of his hand, and Cron scored easily.

Daza made the mistake of rounding first base too aggressively and was caught in a rundown. Meanwhile, Fuentes, the lead runner, made a dash for home plate and slid in safely when Taylor’s throw sailed over the head of Smith, the catcher. Leading by one run a few minutes earlier, the Dodgers suddenly trailed 5-3.

“It’s the nature of the game sometimes: you can have the best headspace ever and things go wrong,” Muncy said. “Tonight we were able to get past it, keep moving forward, and hopefully that’s something we can keep doing all season long.”

Urías finished the inning without incurring further damage. Jimmy Nelson (1-1) pitched a scoreless seventh inning to pick up his first win as a Dodger. Dennis Santana pitched a scoreless eighth.

Roberts said he wanted to give his “leverage relievers” a breather Thursday. Victor Gonzalez, Corey Knebel, Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen had all pitched the night before.

Price didn’t get to keep the game ball from his first career save, in Game 7 of the 2008 American League Championship Series. He was a rookie for the Tampa Bay Rays then. Second baseman Akinori Iwamura put the ball in his back pocket after recording the final out.

“I think it’s in Japan now,” Price said.

Seager, Betts and Lux eventually made their way into the game. Seager and Betts were defensive replacements. Lux appeared as a pinch-runner for A.J. Pollock, who suffered a groin injury earlier in the game. Roberts said the veteran is considered day-to-day.

Go-ahead, @maxmuncy9! #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/NGLAdz5RAX

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 16, 2021

Two nights in a row for JT! ?✌ pic.twitter.com/F0hnp4swfq

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 16, 2021

Dave Roberts discusses the #Dodgers coming from behind, @DAVIDprice24‘s save and an update on Gavin Lux and AJ Pollock. pic.twitter.com/ZNfS4hzZvL

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 16, 2021

.@maxmuncy9 on his 2-out go-ahead homer in the 7th inning. pic.twitter.com/wY1L885TfN

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 16, 2021

“A good win and a good end to this first homestand.” @DAVIDprice24 with @kirsten_watson on his first career regular season save and how it felt pitching on Jackie Robinson Day. pic.twitter.com/GJAmGTiyKR

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 16, 2021

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