Dodgers out to halt first skid of '26, split set vs. Rockies

Shohei Ohtani needed a ninth-inning single on Saturday night to extend his on-base streak to 50, but he made it 51 early in Sunday's game, moving past Willie Keeler for third all-time in Dodgers franchise history.

The four-time MVP will try to keep the streak alive when Los Angeles concludes a four-game series at the Colorado Rockies on Monday night in Denver. Colorado rallied to win 9-6 on Sunday, handing the Dodgers consecutive losses for the first time this season.

The Rockies' nine runs were the most Los Angeles has allowed in 2026.

The Dodgers will send Justin Wrobleski (2-0, 2.12 ERA) to the mound against Colorado's Jose Quintana (0-1, 5.63) in a battle of lefties.

Wrobleski is facing the Rockies for the fourth time in his career but is making his first start against Colorado. He is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA and one save, with all three appearances coming in Denver.

Ohtani usually garners the most attention, but on Sunday it was Ryan Ward who took over the headlines. The career minor leaguer made his major league debut in place of Freddie Freeman, who was put on the paternity list.

Ward grinded through the minors since 2019, peaking at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was the Pacific Coast League MVP in 2025 after leading all of the minors with 36 home runs and 122 RBIs, and finally got his chance Sunday.

Ward flew out on the first pitch he saw in the big leagues and had an RBI single in his second at-bat. He added another single in the sixth and finished 2-for-5.

"He's a guy that, he's never been that big prospect," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I really believe in meritocracy and performing. Nothing was given to him, he's had to earn it and continue to earn it and continue to prove it. I do relate to that and so I'm sensitive to guys like him."

Colorado has a chance to win the wraparound series with Quintana on the mound. The veteran has faced Los Angeles 15 times (including 12 starts) and is 4-2 with a 2.32 ERA.

He was 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers in the 2025 regular season but was knocked around in his only start of the NL Championship Series while with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Quintana landed on the 15-day injured list after his first start this season and returned April 15 at Houston. Monday night will be his home debut at Coors Field, where he is 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA in six career starts with four different teams.

If Quintana runs into trouble, the Rockies' improved bullpen can take over. A unit that was hit hard during the 119-loss 2025 season has been a strength in 2026. Colorado relievers didn't allow a run in four of five games before Los Angeles scored three on Sunday, including two in a nervous ninth inning.

"We're nasty, man, the bullpen is nasty," said Victor Vodnik, who has three saves this season in nine appearances. "Everybody trusts everybody ... and they pick each other up. And everybody throws friggin' hard. And everybody gives different looks, so it makes it hard (on opponents), for sure."

--Field Level Media