Man Down: Kemp Leaves Game After Crashing Into Wall

Matt Kemp hit a wall Tuesday evening. Literally.

The Gold Glove outfielder collided with the center-field wall of Coors Field while chasing a fly ball. Kemp’s head and arms appeared to strike a portion of the wall made of chain-link fence, while his lower torso hit the padded part. The ball, meanwhile, bounced off the wall and hit Kemp on the chin. Though he tried to remain in the game, Kemp had to be pulled after two batters. The Dodgers later announced that he left due to an injured knee.

The players who remained in the game looked as though they hit a more metaphorical wall. The Dodgers dropped their third game in row, an 8-4 drubbing at the hands of the last-place Rockies. Chris Capuano was shelled in the first inning for four runs and finished the day with six runs allowed in six innings. Jamey Wright gave up two additional runs in relief.

The offense could only muster seven hits in the hitters’ paradise that is Coors, three going for extra bases. Hanley Ramirez hit a single and a one-run homer, and Andre Ethier had a single and a double. Adam Kennedy was the only other batter to reach base twice, getting a single and a walk. Adrian Gonzalez, the Dodgers’ big weekend acquisition, finished 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Joe Blanton looks for his first win as a Dodger as he takes the hill Wednesday. The Rockies counter with Drew Pomeranz.