Trevor Bauer made his Dodgers debut on the same night a gray cat got comfy in the Coors Field outfield.
It was all just purr-fect for the defending World Series champions.
Bauer took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning before allowing a pair of two-run homers, and Los Angeles held on after building a big lead to beat the Colorado Rockies 11-6 on Friday.
The game had a little bit of everything, from seven of the Dodgers’ 16 hits going for extra bases — no homers, though — to the cat making a surprise entrance onto the field in the eighth. The furry feline hung out in center with Cody Bellinger for a moment before being picked up and ushered out by stadium personnel.
“They’ve been different,” Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager said of two wild games at Coors Field to start the season. “That’s this ballpark.”
Bauer (1-0) was purring along through six innings as the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner baffled the Rockies with a dancing slider and nasty cutter.
Then, the seventh rolled around.
Trevor Story broke up Bauer’s no-hitter with a single and Charlie Blackmon ended the shutout with a two-run homer. Ryan McMahon later followed with another two-run homer. David Price eventually replaced Bauer and proceeded to give up back-to-back homers to Dom Nuñez and Sam Hilliard, suddenly turning a 10-0 rout into a 10-6 game.
“We showed a lot of life there in the seventh,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “Overall, we can take a little something from that big inning.”
It was only the second time in Rockies history they homered four times in an inning. The other time was June, 6, 1999.
Wearing his pants pulled up high to reveal those Dodger blue socks, Bauer went 6 1/3 innings and allowed four runs while striking out 10.
And no, he wasn’t thinking of a no-hitter.
“As far as a no-hitter, I don’t really care,” Bauer said. “If it happens, it happens. It’s not something in the pitcher’s control, unless you strike out 27 guys. There’s going to be balls put in play and that’s luck. I very easily could’ve given up hits before the seventh.”
He’s not really sure why things unraveled in the seventh. He ran the bases in the top of the frame, but didn’t feel that was a factor.
“Maybe I fell into some patterns?” Bauer offered. “I haven’t had time to go back and break down the video since we’re not really allowed to watch video in game anymore — new Astros rules or something like that. I’ll have to go back and look at it.”
The 30-year-old righty signed a $102 million, three-year deal as a free agent in February after going 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA last season for Cincinnati.
Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela (0-1) uncharacteristically scuffled at home, lasting 3 1/3 innings and allowing seven runs. He entered the game with six wins over his last eight home starts.
The Dodgers improved to 23-8 against Colorado over the last three seasons. They lost the season opener 8-5 on Thursday when Clayton Kershaw struggled and Bellinger had a homer turned into an RBI single and an out for passing Justin Turner on the bases.
“Feels good to get the first win out of the way,” Turner said.
COORS ALL-STAR GAME?
Major League Baseball reversed its decision to have Atlanta host this summer’s All-Star Game. The move came in response to a sweeping new voting law in Georgia that critics say will negatively affect communities of color.
Asked if Coors Field should be the replacement site, pitcher Jon Gray responded: “The Home Run Derby would be legendary.”
BAUER’S CAUSE
Bauer’s 10 strikeouts raised $10, 000 as part of a new initiative he launched earlier in the day called “Ks for a Cause.” Each month a new nonprofit group focused on STEM or youth programming in the Los Angeles area will be designated and receive $1,000 per strikeout.
“Something I’m passionate about,” Bauer said.
DEBUTS
Rockies relievers Ben Bowden and Jordan Sheffield both made their major league debut.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: C Austin Barnes (hand) had a scheduled day off, but manager Dave Roberts expected him to be in the lineup Saturday.
“It’s been in Ohio as early as the mid-1850s at least, brought in as an ornamental plant because of its unique foliage and white flowers,” Gardner said. “It was actually planted in people’s landscaping, and it has been spreading.”
Rockies: LHP Kyle Freeland (strained shoulder) is going through strengthening exercises in Arizona. “He’s feeling better each and every day,” Black said.
UP NEXT
Dodgers righty Walker Buehler takes the mound Saturday, while the Rockies counter with Gray. The right-handed Gray made eight starts last season before going on the injured list with inflammation in his pitching shoulder.