DENVER (AP) — Pinch-hitter Casey Blake broke a tie with a three-run double in the sixth, Ted Lilly pitched five effective innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a three-game skid with an 11-7 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.

Aaron Miles and Jamey Carroll each had four hits as the Dodgers banged out a season-high 18. With the bases loaded, Tony Gwynn Jr. made a diving catch in left field for the final out — the second time he has done that this season.

Lilly (5-5) was his typically solid self, scattering four hits before being lifted for Blake, who didn’t start because of a sore neck.

The Dodgers’ bullpen nearly squandered a late six-run lead, much like the Rockies the night before.

Colorado scored five times in the eighth and had a chance for even more but shortstop Dee Gordon made a diving stop up the middle to record a forceout at second and reliever Matt Guerrier then struck out Jonathan Herrera to contain the threat.

Los Angeles then added four runs in the ninth, with Rod Barajas hitting an RBI double, Gwynn bringing in a run on a fielder’s choice and Carroll lacing a two-run single to center.

Javy Guerra pitched a rocky ninth in a non-save situation, giving up an RBI single to Ty Wigginton. Recent call-up Charlie Blackmon sent a tailing liner to left, only to have Gwynn make a diving catch to end the game.

This late rally came a night after the Rockies seemingly had things in hand with a 6-0 lead, only to watch the Dodgers score five times in the ninth before their rally fell short.

Jason Hammel (3-6) was cruising along until the sixth, when his lower back began to stiffen up. After his second walk of the inning, Rockies manager Jim Tracy and trainer Keith Dugger came out to check on the righty, who then headed for the clubhouse.

Hammel gave up seven hits and three runs — two earned — before exiting. He’s still searching for his first win since April 30.

Matt Kemp had an RBI double in his return to the Los Angeles lineup after sitting out the day before because of tightness in his left hamstring.

Even with a 1-for-4 performance Saturday, Kemp is hitting .432 in June with a league-best 15 RBIs.

Miles was in the middle of all three big innings for the Dodgers. He drew a walk in the sixth ahead of Blake’s bases-clearing shot to left, delivered a two-run double in the seventh to give the Dodgers some breathing room and then singled in the ninth during their four-run burst.

In the Colorado eighth, Troy Tulowitzki had a two-run single. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Seth Smith lined a single up the middle that Kemp misplayed, allowing two more runs to score. Blackmon added an RBI single, but the Rockies got no closer.

Lilly improved to 7-2 in 10 starts against Colorado. He worked his way out of a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the fifth by getting Eric Young Jr. and Jason Giambi to fly out.

The Dodgers took advantage of a rare throwing error by Tulowitzki in the fifth inning to tie the game at 1 apiece. After Carroll reached on a single, Andre Ethier hit a roller to Giambi, who threw to Tulowitzki at second. But on the relay back to first to complete the double play, Carroll slid hard into Tulowitzki, causing the smooth-fielding shortstop to throw the ball out of play.

Kemp then followed with a run-scoring double off the wall in right.

Wigginton put the Rockies on the board in the second by lining a fastball from Lilly halfway up the bleachers in left field. It was Wigginton’s first homer since May 31, when he took Lilly deep in Los Angeles.

NOTES: Lilly had his first hit of the season, a slap single to left in the third, followed by the third stolen base of his career. … Tracy said before the game that RHP Jhoulys Chacin deserves All-Star consideration. He’s 7-4 with a 2.90 ERA and is holding hitters to a .199 average, the second-best mark in the NL. … Rockies 1B Todd Helton was given a day off to keep him fresh. He’s third among first baseman with a .322 average this season.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pinch-hitter Casey Blake broke a tie with a three-run double in the sixth, Ted Lilly pitched five effective innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a three-game skid with an 11-7 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.

Aaron Miles and Jamey Carroll each had four hits as the Dodgers banged out a season-high 18. With the bases loaded, Tony Gwynn Jr. made a diving catch in left field for the final out — the second time he has done that this season.

Lilly (5-5) was his typically solid self, scattering four hits before being lifted for Blake, who didn’t start because of a sore neck.

The Dodgers’ bullpen nearly squandered a late six-run lead, much like the Rockies the night before.

Colorado scored five times in the eighth and had a chance for even more but shortstop Dee Gordon made a diving stop up the middle to record a forceout at second and reliever Matt Guerrier then struck out Jonathan Herrera to contain the threat.

Los Angeles then added four runs in the ninth, with Rod Barajas hitting an RBI double, Gwynn bringing in a run on a fielder’s choice and Carroll lacing a two-run single to center.

Javy Guerra pitched a rocky ninth in a non-save situation, giving up an RBI single to Ty Wigginton. Recent call-up Charlie Blackmon sent a tailing liner to left, only to have Gwynn make a diving catch to end the game.

This late rally came a night after the Rockies seemingly had things in hand with a 6-0 lead, only to watch the Dodgers score five times in the ninth before their rally fell short.

Jason Hammel (3-6) was cruising along until the sixth, when his lower back began to stiffen up. After his second walk of the inning, Rockies manager Jim Tracy and trainer Keith Dugger came out to check on the righty, who then headed for the clubhouse.

Hammel gave up seven hits and three runs — two earned — before exiting. He’s still searching for his first win since April 30.

Matt Kemp had an RBI double in his return to the Los Angeles lineup after sitting out the day before because of tightness in his left hamstring.

Even with a 1-for-4 performance Saturday, Kemp is hitting .432 in June with a league-best 15 RBIs.

Miles was in the middle of all three big innings for the Dodgers. He drew a walk in the sixth ahead of Blake’s bases-clearing shot to left, delivered a two-run double in the seventh to give the Dodgers some breathing room and then singled in the ninth during their four-run burst.

In the Colorado eighth, Troy Tulowitzki had a two-run single. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Seth Smith lined a single up the middle that Kemp misplayed, allowing two more runs to score. Blackmon added an RBI single, but the Rockies got no closer.

Lilly improved to 7-2 in 10 starts against Colorado. He worked his way out of a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the fifth by getting Eric Young Jr. and Jason Giambi to fly out.

The Dodgers took advantage of a rare throwing error by Tulowitzki in the fifth inning to tie the game at 1 apiece. After Carroll reached on a single, Andre Ethier hit a roller to Giambi, who threw to Tulowitzki at second. But on the relay back to first to complete the double play, Carroll slid hard into Tulowitzki, causing the smooth-fielding shortstop to throw the ball out of play.

Kemp then followed with a run-scoring double off the wall in right.

Wigginton put the Rockies on the board in the second by lining a fastball from Lilly halfway up the bleachers in left field. It was Wigginton’s first homer since May 31, when he took Lilly deep in Los Angeles.

NOTES: Lilly had his first hit of the season, a slap single to left in the third, followed by the third stolen base of his career. … Tracy said before the game that RHP Jhoulys Chacin deserves All-Star consideration. He’s 7-4 with a 2.90 ERA and is holding hitters to a .199 average, the second-best mark in the NL. … Rockies 1B Todd Helton was given a day off to keep him fresh. He’s third among first baseman with a .322 average this season.

DENVER, June 12 (UPI) — Aaron Miles and Jamey Carroll each provided four hits and two RBI Saturday, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers outlast Colorado 11-7.

Miles’ two-run double in the seventh put the Dodgers up 6-1 and Carroll added a two-run single in the ninth that extended the lead to 11-6 as Los Angeles took its first win in a four-game series at Coors Field.

Casey Blake contributed a three-run double as the Dodgers banged out a season-high 18 hits.

Los Angeles, however, had to hang on for the win in the bottom of the ninth after the Rockies scored a run and then loaded the bases with two outs. Charlie Blackmon hit a slicing liner off Javy Guerra that appeared destined for the left-field corner but Tony Gwynn Jr. made a diving grab to end the game.

Dodgers starter Ted Lilly (5-5) earned the win, allowing one run on four hits over five innings.

Colorado’s Jason Hammel (3-6) was tagged with the defeat after surrendering three runs (two earned) on seven hits in a five-inning effort.

Ty Wigginton clouted a solo homer and Troy Tulowitzki added two RBI for the Rockies.

By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer

DENVER (AP) – A sprawling catch by Tony Gwynn Jr. kept the Dodgers’ big night at the plate from going to waste.

Los Angeles had a season-high 18 hits and Gwynn ended the game with a diving play in left, helping the Dodgers snap a three-game skid with an 11-7 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.

Gwynn’s clutch grab was the chatter in both clubhouses.

With the bases loaded and the Rockies threatening a ninth-inning comeback, Charlie Blackmon sent a liner to left that was tailing away from the speedy outfielder.

Blackmon thought for sure the ball was going to drop, even thinking that he just might be able to run all the way home if it got by Gwynn.

No such luck for the Rockies as Gwynn dove to his right and made the backhand grab – the second time he’s closed out a close game with a magnificent catch. He also robbed San Diego’s Nick Hundley on April 29.

“I thought it was down. I feel like everybody else thought it was down. And then he caught it,” Blackmon said, shaking his head. “That was a really nice play. I’m impressed.”

Ted Lilly (5-5) wasn’t all that surprised by Gwynn’s glove work. The veteran lefty had seen it before.

“He’s one of the best defensive outfielders in the game,” Lilly said. “He’s as good as any in the game right now, so him making a play like that is not too surprising.”

Aaron Miles and Jamey Carroll each had four hits as the Dodgers won for the first time in five games at Coors Field this season.

Lilly (5-5) was his typically solid self, scattering four hits before being lifted for pinch-hitter Casey Blake, who didn’t start because of a sore neck but broke a tie with a three-run double in the sixth.

The Dodgers’ bullpen nearly squandered a late six-run lead, much like the Rockies the night before.

Colorado scored five times in the eighth and had a chance for even more but shortstop Dee Gordon made a diving stop up the middle to record a forceout at second and reliever Matt Guerrier then struck out Jonathan Herrera to contain the threat.

Los Angeles added four runs in the ninth, with Rod Barajas hitting an RBI double, Gwynn bringing in a run on a fielder’s choice and Carroll lacing a two-run single to center.

“If we’re not hit for four runs in the top of the ninth inning, because of where I feel they were at bullpen-wise, I think we’re in an ideal position to win the game. I really do,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said.

Javy Guerra pitched a rocky ninth in a non-save situation, giving up an RBI single to Ty Wigginton. Blackmon sent a tailing liner to left, only to have Gwynn save the day for the Dodgers.

And with that, he finally quieted a fan who was heckling him all evening.

“None sweeter,” Gwynn said. “As soon as it was hit, I knew my jump was good enough to get my glove on it. Now whether the ball gets in your glove and the impact (knocks it out), that’s something you can’t control.

“But on that play I tried to turn my glove over as fast as I could without breaking my wrist.”

This late rally came a night after the Rockies seemingly had things in hand with a 6-0 lead, only to watch the Dodgers score five times in the ninth before their rally fell short.

Jason Hammel (3-6) was cruising along until the sixth, when his lower back began to stiffen up. After his second walk of the inning, Tracy and trainer Keith Dugger came out to check on the righty, who then headed for the clubhouse.

After the game, Hammel said his back was bothering him since the second inning, but he labored on. He didn’t anticipate going on the disabled list.

Hammel gave up seven hits and three runs – two earned – before exiting. He’s still searching for his first win since April 30.

“We put up some runs, put up some hits, we didn’t lay down,” Hammel said. “That’s a good thing to see.”

Matt Kemp had an RBI double in his return to the Los Angeles lineup after not starting the day before because of tightness in his left hamstring.

Even with a 1-for-4 performance Saturday, Kemp is hitting .432 in June with a league-best 15 RBIs.

Miles was in the middle of all three big innings for the Dodgers. He drew a walk in the sixth ahead of Blake’s bases-clearing shot to left, delivered a two-run double in the seventh to give the Dodgers some breathing room and then singled in the ninth during their four-run burst.

“I come to the park ready to play,” said Miles, who was filling in for Blake. “Of course I want to play every day, but we have a lot of good ballplayers on this team and I think it’s obviously a good problem.”

In the Colorado eighth, Troy Tulowitzki had a two-run single. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Seth Smith lined a single up the middle that Kemp misplayed, allowing two more runs to score. Blackmon added an RBI single, but the Rockies got no closer.

“We were able to string some hits together, but still we came up short,” said Wigginton, who had a homer off Lilly in the second. “Let’s sleep this one off and come get them tomorrow.”

NOTES: Rockies 1B Todd Helton was given a day off to keep him fresh. … The Rockies had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

DENVER — Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp returned to the starting lineup on Saturday night against the Colorado Rockies after testing his left hamstring during an early workout and later during batting practice.

Kemp ran in the outfield and took fly balls before determining that the injury that caused him to be scratched from Friday night’s lineup just before game time had sufficiently healed.

Kemp pinch hit in the ninth inning of that game and drove a home run, his 19th of the season, onto the concourse beyond the leftfield bleachers. The ball then bounced over a concession stand and into the Rockies players’ parking lot below.

Meanwhile, Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake was out of the lineup because of a pinched nerve in his neck. He is listed as day to day.

Kemp said he had no plans to change the way he plays center field or runs the bases to protect the hamstring.

“It’s kind of hard to take it easy out there,” he said. “Me, I always try to go as hard as I can. You know when to run hard and when not to run hard.”

Kemp leads the Dodgers in practically every offensive category and entered play Saturday leading the National League in home runs, third in hitting (.332) and second in RBIs (54). He had started all but one game before Friday night.

By pinch hitting in the ninth, he extended the longest consecutive games-played streak in the majors to 269, but his absence through the first eight innings left a huge hole in what already is a less-than-imposing lineup.

“He has been so hot and so good, it’s a really different lineup with him not in there,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “We really don’t have another four-hole guy.”

Blake has been experiencing neck soreness for the past couple of days, Mattingly said, and he felt it while fielding a bunt during Friday night’s game. There are no medical tests scheduled for Blake at this point.

Blake already has been on the 15-day disabled list twice this season, first with an injury to his back and later with a staph infection in his left elbow that required surgery.

Tony Jackson covers the Dodgers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Follow Tony Jackson on Twitter: @dodgerscribe

Read More: Jason Hammel (P – COL), Ted Lilly (P – LOS), Matt Kemp (CF – LOS), Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers

Friday night’s 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers was too close for comfort for the Colorado Rockies. They entered the top of the ninth inning with a 6-0 lead and saw Matt Belisle and Huston Street, but mostly the former, teeter on the edge of collapse. Making everyone sweat, Street was able to get Trent Oeltjen to strike out looking to end the game.

Jason Hammel takes the mound against the Dodgers on Saturday night in hopes to right the wrong he performed in Los Angeles on Memorial Day. He gave up seven runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings. That was also the game where the Rockies had one run on 14 hits, so nothing was going right for the team then. He did bounce back with seven innings of two-hit, one-run ball against the Giants on June 5, but the offense scored one run in the 2-1 loss.

Ted Lilly also kept the Rockies down during their series in Los Angeles last week. Lilly started the second game and struck out eight in seven innings. He allowed two runs on four hits to pick up his fourth win. He lost his next start, which came against the Phillies, but that was a 3-1 loss. Lack of run support, just as it was for Hammel, was Lilly’s undoing.

Matt Kemp entered Friday’s contest as a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth and his home run (the longest by a Dodgers batter this season) started the Dodgers’ ultimately failed comeback attempt. Will he be able to have more of an impact in this game?

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. MT.  Watch ROOT Sports for live action then.

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