Hyun-Jin Ryu helps Dodgers seize momentum, regain NL West lead with rout of Rockies

Hyun-Jin Ryu helps Dodgers seize momentum, regain NL West lead with rout of Rockies

  • The Dodgers’ Joc Pederson hits a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the first inning – the first of his two home runs – in Monday’s 8-2 rout of the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Pederson finished 3 for 4 with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts with Rockies manager Bud Black before their game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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  • Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu throws to the plate during Monday’s game against against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Ryu pitched seven scoreless innings in an 8-2 victory. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers second baseman Mike Hernandez #14 moves in on a ground ball during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Kike’ Hernandez misses fielding a ground ball on a Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado single during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 during their game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • The DodgersÕ Joc Pederson #31 hits a solo homer in the bottom of the first inning during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson watches his solo home run against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • The DodgersÕ Joc Pederson #31 rounds the bases after hitting a solo homer in the bottom of the first inning during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • The DodgersÕ Joc Pederson #31 points to the sky as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo homer in the bottom of the first inning during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammate Justin Turner #10 after Pederson hit a solo home run during the first inning of the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks to celebrate with teammate Manny Machado #8 after Pederson hit a solo home run during the first inning of the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • The DodgersÕ Justin Turner #10 throws out the RockiesÕ Carlos Gonzalez #5 at first base in the second inning during their game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers second baseman Kike Hernandez #14 throws out the RockiesÕ DJ LeMahieu #9 in the third inning during their game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the first inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • The DodgersÕ Max Muncy #13 hits a three run homer in the third inning during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his three-run homerun as he jogs to first base during the third inning MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • The DodgersÕ Max Muncy #13 points to the sky after hitting a three run homer in the third inning during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • The DodgersÕ Max Muncy #13 is congratulated by teammate Manny Machado #8 after Muncy hit a three run homer in the third inning during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammate Manny Machado #8 at homeplate after Muncy hit a three-run homerun during the third inning of the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • The DodgersÕ Max Muncy #13 is congratulated by teammate Cody Bellinger #35 after Muncy hit a three run homer in the third inning during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies gives up the ball to manager Bud Black #10 and leaves the game during the third inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • Dodgers manger Dave Roberts during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies can’t make the catch on a fly ball to shallow center during the third inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning of the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • Rockies pitcher Harrison Musgrave #59 during their game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger #35 fields a fly ball during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodger starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 and catcher Yasmani Grandal #9 during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson #31 makes the catch on a Rockies Pat Valaika #4 fly ball in the fourth inning during their game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger #35 makes a running catch on a Rockies Ian Desmond #20 line drive in the fourth inning during their game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • The DodgersÕ Yasmani Grandal #9 breaks his bat in frustration after striking out in the seventh inning during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. The Dodgers beat the Rockies 8-2. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies walks with Trevor Story #27 back to the dugout after Story left his at-bat injured and replaced by Pat Valaika #4 (not in photo) during the fourth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • The Dodgers’ Joc Pederson hits a two-run home run – his second homer of the game – during the fourth inning of Monday’s 8-2 victory over the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • Dodgers pitcher Yimi Garcia #63 during their game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. The Dodgers beat the Rockies 8-2. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to first base to convert the double play as Pat Valaika #4 of the Colorado Rockies slides into second base in the seventh inning of the MLB game at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 8-2. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tony Cingrani catches a line drive hit by Colorado Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez to end the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Dodgers won 8-2. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Catcher Yasmani Grandal #9 and Tony Cingrani #54 of the Los Angeles Dodgers slap hands to celebrate their victory against the Colorado Rockies in their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 8-2. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

  • Dodger outfielders Cody Bellinger #35 and Alex Verdugo #61 celebrate their victory after beating the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. The Dodgers beat the Rockies 8-2. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger, left, leaps with right fielder Alex Verdugo to celebrate the Dodgers defeating the Colorado Rockies 8-2, after a baseball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 has some fun after the Dodgers beat the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. The Dodgers beat the Rockies 8-2. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • The DodgersÕ Yasiel Puig #66 smiles after the Dodgers beat the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. The Dodgers beat the Rockies 8-2. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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LOS ANGELES — Dave Roberts lined up his starting rotation so that Hyun-Jin Ryu could pitch the first game of the Dodgers’ most important series of the year Monday. The manager liked Ryu’s ability to match up against the Colorado Rockies, but more than that he liked Ryu’s poise under pressure.

Ryu did not take Roberts’ gesture for granted. In six seasons since leaving South Korea, he has started 97 games for the Dodgers, including three in the postseason. At 31, he’s missed nearly two years recovering from major shoulder surgery and more recently lost three months to a torn groin muscle.

With the same preternatural calm that he arrived with at age 25, Ryu pitched seven shutout innings in a crucial 8-2 win. The Dodgers regained sole possession of first place in the National League West for the second time in three days.

“My job will be to put the team in a position to where we could win,” Ryu said through an interpreter. “Compared to my first two years, when I actually got a chance to pitch in the postseason, I feel like it’s going to be a totally different feeling.”

For a day, the gap between first and second place looked much wider than a half-game. The Dodgers began their onslaught when Joc Pederson led off the first inning with a home run and did not let up. Pederson homered again in the fourth inning, this time with a runner on base.

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Max Muncy also hit a home run, his 33rd of the season, with two runners on in the third inning. Rockies starter Jon Gray (11-8) was removed one batter later. By the fifth inning, Ryu (5-3) was pitching with an eight-run lead – his largest margin for error all year.

With that, the Dodgers struck the first blow with the division lead at stake. For the next two days, each win or loss can twist the playoff probabilities like a trophy fish caught on a hook.

At 83-68, the Dodgers lead Colorado by half a game with 11 games to play. The Rockies (82-68) have 12 games remaining in the regular season and trail the St. Louis Cardinals by a half-game for the NL’s second wild-card spot.

By winning five of their last six games, including four against the Cardinals and Rockies, the Dodgers have erased their deficit against the two teams trying to deny them a playoff berth.

“It’s a competitive division and it’s not going to let up at all,” Muncy said. “There’s not one series we play where it’s going to be easy. It makes for fun baseball.”

Ryu had not won a game since Aug. 26 and had not tossed seven shutout innings since April 21. He lowered his earned-run average in eight home games to 1.27, a stark contrast to his 4.15 ERA on the road. He did not walk a batter and struck out five.

As Roberts considers his pitching options for a possible postseason run, Ryu’s dominance at Dodger Stadium has merit. In seven starts since returning from his groin injury, Ryu has cemented his place in the rotation with a 2.21 ERA.

“He’s always been a big-game pitcher,” Roberts said of Ryu. “I’ve seen it from the other side. For him to be healthy and set the tone for the series – in complete command, his stuff was really good – we fed off him and it was good to see.”

Ryu scattered four hits over seven shutout innings. One hit, scored a double, was a fly ball that Pederson misjudged in left field. Ryu did not walk a batter and struck out five.

Roberts and the announced crowd of 45,970 might have seen a preview of Ryu’s poise in a possible postseason game at Dodger Stadium.

“If I started on Sunday, it would have been on four days’ rest,” Ryu said. “Doc did a good job of letting me know that I was going to pitch this game early, rather than the other game. That definitely helped me in terms of preparing for this game.”

Why would pitching a playoff game this year be different than 2013 or 2014?

“The first two years I was given a chance to pitch in a postseason game, I almost took it for granted,” Ryu said. “The last year, I had to sit on the sideline. Although I did want my team to win, it was a different feeling. As a player, you want to compete and help the team win. I try to do my best as a teammate. At the same time, this year it seems like I might have a chance to pitch in an actual (playoff) game.”

Alex Wood gave Roberts something to consider too. In his first relief appearance since last year’s World Series, the left-hander faced five batters in the eighth inning and recorded two outs. The others reached on a walk, a single, and a hit batter. Two came around to score.

Wood started a team-leading 27 games, going 8-7 with a 3.65 ERA, before losing his place in the rotation last week.

“It’s a transition,” Roberts said. “He hasn’t done anything in quite some time. Today is something that we wanted to get Alex in there, get him some live action. Going forward, he’ll be fine.”

Roberts acknowledged prior to the game that the team’s middle-relief roles remain malleable. Wood’s return to the bullpen was one to forget. John Axford, who missed 30 games with a fractured fibula, replaced Wood and allowed an RBI single to the only batter he faced. Yimi Garcia got the first two outs in the ninth inning. Tony Cingrani, out since June with shoulder problems, recorded the final out.

Pederson hit a double in addition to his two home runs, scored three runs and drove in three more. Justin Turner went 2 for 3 with a walk and is batting .524 (11 for 21) over his last six games. Yasiel Puig went 2 for 3 after garnering NL Player of the Week honors earlier in the day.

Pederson also made a snow-cone catch to track down a Drew Butera fly ball in the fifth inning, then pounded fists with a fan sitting an arm’s length away in the front row. It was that kind of night for the Dodgers.

Trevor Story exited the game with elbow soreness in the middle of an at-bat after swinging and missing at a Ryu changeup in the fourth inning. It was that kind of night for the Rockies.

.@yungjoc650 talks with @alannarizzo about his approach at the plate and @HyunJinRyu99’s outing in tonight’s 8-2 #Dodgers win over Colorado. pic.twitter.com/ojwdVcJHPb

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 18, 2018

Another #JocPop and the @Dodgers offense is ROLLING. #SeptemberBaseball pic.twitter.com/419fGBovnZ

— MLB (@MLB) September 18, 2018

Max is a boss. #SeptemberBaseball pic.twitter.com/0yv7bonChg

— MLB (@MLB) September 18, 2018

Dave Roberts on @HyunJinRyu99 7 innings of work and @yungjoc650’s big night at the plate. pic.twitter.com/A5jFoMq9DT

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 18, 2018

#JocPop

The @Dodgers are off to a flying start. #SeptemberBaseball pic.twitter.com/66MuZ1r399

— MLB (@MLB) September 18, 2018

Pound it. pic.twitter.com/nkT1pqAupL

— MLB (@MLB) September 18, 2018

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