The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman follows through on a two-run single during the fifth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez hits an RBI single during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts rounds third base on the way to scoring on a single by J.D. Martinez as third base coach Dino Ebel sends Betts home during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Colorado Rockies’ Elias Diaz watches his RBI sacrifice fly during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Anderson throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts gets up at second base after a double during the third inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, center, stands at third base after advancing on a sacrifice fly by Freddie Freeman, while Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, right, looks to apply a late tag under the watch of third base umpire Lance Barrett during the third inning on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez hits an RBI single during the third inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Colorado Rockies’ Elias Diaz hits a two-run single during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Colorado Rockies’ Elias Diaz watches his two-run single during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black, left, takes the ball from starting pitcher Chase Anderson, while catcher Elias Diaz looks on during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy begins to run after hitting a two-run double during the fourth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman sprints home to score on a two-run double by Max Muncy during the fourth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez watches the flight of his two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night in Denver. Martinez went 4 for 6 with a home run and four RBIs. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez watches the flight of his two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Peter Lambert flips a new ball into his glove after giving up a two-run home run to the Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez during the fourth inning on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez, right, celebrates with teammate Max Muncy after hitting a two-run home run as Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz looks on during the fourth inning on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ David Peralta, left, congratulates J.D. Martinez after his two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Peter Lambert throws to the plate during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ James Outman scores ahead of the throw to Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz during the fifth inning on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, left, congratulates Freddie Freeman after he hit a two-run single during the fifth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Peter Lambert walks off the field after the end of the top of the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black walks off the field after making a pitching change during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Gavin Hollowell throws to the plate during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts dashes past third base coach Dino Ebel to score on a single by Max Muncy during the fifth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward hits an RBI infield single during the seventh inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Victor Gonzalez throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Justin Bruihl throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Justin Bruihl throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, left, greets Miguel Vargas after the team’s 14-3 rout of the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hail covers a tarp and the field after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clubhouse attendant Casey Williams, back right, uses a bucket to clear a mixture of water and hail from in front of the home dugout doors to the clubhouse after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clubhouse attendant Casey Williams uses a bucket to clear a mixture of water and hail from in front of the home dugout doors to the clubhouse after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hail fills the walkway to the diamond of Coors Field after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over the stadium on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
A mixture of water and hail covers the outfield after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz, front, dives onto a hail-covered tarp after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Water and hail flood the entrance to the visitor’s dugout as a clubhouse attendant tries to clean up the mess left after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the stadium. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies assistant bullpen catcher Kyle Cunningham navigates a hail-covered walkway to the field after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over the stadium on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Clubhouse employee Casey Williams uses a bucket to clear a mixture of water and hail from in front of the home dugout doors to the clubhouse after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
A clubhouse worker struggles to guide rain and hail into a drain inside the visitor’s clubhouse after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Grounds crew workers use shovels to clear mounds of hail off the outfield after pulling the tarp off the infield before a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Dodgers on Thursday night in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
A mixture of rain and hail covers the outfield after a summer storm packing heavy rain, high winds and large hail swept over Coors Field on Thursday in Denver. The Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies eventually played after an extended delay to prepare the field. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, umpires, ballpark operations staff and front office executives discuss the field conditions in right field during an extended weather delay before their game on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Members of the grounds crew squeeze hail off the field during an extended weather delay before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
A grasshopper sits on a damp surface during the first inning of a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. There was an extended weather delay before the game. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The grounds crew pulls the tarp off the field after an extended weather delay before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Dodgers on Thursday night at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER — It might snow in June before the Colorado Rockies can put together a decent pitching staff.
It looked like one of those aberrations – only one – had arrived at Coors Field on Thursday afternoon when a strong hail storm hit Denver. The hail stones blanketed the field, looking very much like a dusting of snow.
Players from the Rockies came out to frolic, making angels on the infield after wading through a two-foot high hail bank the predominant wind had created in the home dugout. The game was delayed nearly two hours while the grounds crew used leaf blowers to melt the hail in the outfield.
“It was really bleak as far as potentially playing,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who walked the field with Rockies manager Bud Black, members of the umpiring crew and both front offices about an hour before the delayed first pitch.
All hail broke loose after that. The Dodgers pummeled the Rockies, piling up 18 hits in a 14-3 rout, allowing them to win a road series outside California for the first time since taking two out of three in Atlanta from May 22-24.
“We were all saying, ‘We’re here. Might as well go for it,’” first baseman Freddie Freeman said of waiting out the storm. “Two hours of rain – I don’t know if you call that rain. It was like snow pretty much. They were talking about we might have to make it up on our one (common) off day and play, like, 20 days in a row. So we were all ready to roll.”
The opportunity to face the Rockies’ pitching staff certainly didn’t hurt their willingness to wait it out. Thursday wasn’t even their worst beating of the homestand. They were on the receiving end of a 25-1 humiliation by the Angels on Saturday and have given up double-digit runs in 14 games already this season. There aren’t enough humidors to help a pitching staff that ranks last or next-to-last (thank you, Oakland A’s) in ERA, hits allowed, runs allowed, home runs allowed, WHIP and strikeout rate.
One thing is certain about the Rockies’ pitching staff this season – Black is going to get his steps in daily.
During the hail storm, the starters for the All-Star Game were announced and three Dodgers were voted into the National League lineup. That trio – Mookie Betts, Freeman and J.D. Martinez – went a combined 8 for 11 with six runs scored and eight RBIs against the Rockies.
Martinez had four hits to cap a seven-RBI, three-home run series. He drove in Betts twice with RBI singles after he led off the first and third innings with doubles and then added a two-run home run during the Dodgers’ six-run fourth inning. In 14 career games at Coors Field, Martinez is a .444 hitter (28 for 63) with six home runs and 20 RBIs.
“There’s just not a better hitter at Coors and the numbers speak to that,” Roberts said. “Just using the whole field, doing what he does.”
Freeman drove in three runs with a pair of singles, reaching 50 RBIs for the season. According to ESPN Stats and Info, he is the first Dodger with 100 hits, 50 RBIs and 10 stolen bases before the month of July since RBIs were first tracked in 1920.
“I just try to do the same thing every year,” Freeman said. “That’s all I’m trying to do is be consistent so you never have to worry about me and when I do something good you don’t really have to talk about it because that’s the norm. That’s what I try and do every single year. Yes, I’ve had a good first half. Still got a few games to go. Hopefully, we can keep those numbers going up.”
But stars and non-stars alike got a taste. Everyone in the starting lineup except catcher Austin Barnes had at least one hit and scored a run in the first six innings. Miguel Vargas ended a 1-for-36 stretch with an RBI triple. Jason Heyward had three hits, including two doubles. Max Muncy drove in runs with a double and a single.
“I think it’s contagious,” Roberts said. “With the energy that Mookie is providing, guys want to follow that energy. … You can just see the pep in the step tonight from the guys so I do believe it’s contagious.”
Rookie right-hander Emmet Sheehan was the beneficiary. After giving up just three hits in his first 12 major-league innings, Sheehan got his first taste of Coors and gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings against the Rockies.
“This is not an easy place to pitch and not an easy environment,” Roberts said.
“I think it’s the ‘Ignorance is bliss’ adage where I know he understands Coors, but I don’t think the kind of the gravity of what it does as far as run creation and scoring runs. So he just went out there.”
