Dodgers get win out of playbook; down Rockies, 2-1

Sometimes things just work out right for the Dodgers. Of course, since they currently have the best record in baseball, it’s been happening more often than not.

But Saturday was a particularly nice night for the planning department. Aaron Harang started and threw well, Manager Don Mattingly called for a decisive bunt, Tony Gwynn Jr. pinch-hit and drove in the winning run and then new closer Kenley Jansen finished it out for his first save since being named the closer.

Add it all up and the Dodgers had themselves a fine 2-1 victory over the Rockies before an announced crowd of 33,735 at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers scored the winning run in the eighth after James Loney beat out an infield single that third baseman Jonathan Herrera couldn’t come up with. Mattingly then called on A.J. Ellis to bunt, which he did successfully to advance Loney to second.

Gwynn then lined his pinch-hit single to left to score the winning run.

Jansen came on to retire the Rockies in order, earning his third save overall, and the Dodgers have improved to 14-3 at home.

Harang and Colorado’s Juan Nicasio were locked in a pitching duel throughout most of the cool evening.

Harang pitched out of some real trouble in the third, helped along by a sterling defensive play by Loney.

Tyler Colvin led off the third inning with a double and took third on a sacrifice bunt by Nicasio. Marco Scutaro followed with a sharply hit bouncer that Loney made a nice diving stop before quickly getting back to his feet and throwing Colvin out at the plate.

Harang still had some work to do in the third when Herrera blooped a double that sent Scutaro to third. After an intentional walk to Carlos Gonzalez, Harang got Troy Tulowitzki to fly out to center.

The Dodgers finally took the lead in the fifth after Andre Ethier doubled and scored on a bloop single by Juan Uribe.

Harang was fairly cruising until Colvin jumped on a 2-0 pitch and drove well into the right-field bleachers to tie it at 1-1.

Nicasio went seven innings for the Rockies, giving up one run and five hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out nine.

Harang (2-2) went a season-high eight innings for the Dodgers. The one run he gave up came on four hits and two walks. He struck out two.

RELATED:

In early going, fans not rushing back

The Dodgers and the Dee Gordon dilemma

Juan Rivera news gets worse: Complete hamstring tear

Dodgers get win out of playbook; down Rockies, 2-1