Dodgers manage only three hits in falling to Rockies, 3-2

The big comeback fell short, dramatics slipping away just as they teased with an appearance.

The Dodgers were going very quietly against Alex White, a right-hander they drafted in the 14th round in 2006 but were unable to sign. He went first to the Indians the next year, and then was sent to the Rockies for Ubaldo Jimenez last summer.

White entered Sunday’s game in Denver an unimpressive 1-3 with a 6.26 earned-run average, and then started blanking the Dodgers through six innings while the Rockies took a 3-0 lead against Nathan Eovaldi.

But the Dodgers rallied in the seventh inning when A.J. Ellis hit a two-run, line-drive home run and then had runners on first and second bases with two outs against reliever Matt Belisle.

Pinch-hitter Alex Castellanos had a hard bouncer up the middle that briefly appeared would tie the game, but Colorado second baseman D.J. LeMahieu made an instinctive backhand to rob the rookie of the hit, the rally died and the Dodgers went on to lose, 3-2.

A 3-2 final qualifies as a low-scoring game in Denver, but both White and Eovaldi pitched well. And it’s a tad difficult to mount a big comeback when you’re managing only three hits, like the Dodgers.

Eovaldi went 5 2/3 innings, giving up the three runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks. In his second start this season since being called up to replace sore-shouldered Ted Lilly, he struck out four.

White was charged with two runs in his 6 2/3 innings, giving up only two hits. He struck out two but walked five.

The Dodgers are now at the midpoint (3-7) of playing 20 games in as many days. They open a four-game series in Philadelphia on Monday.

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