Dodgers Bounce Back Against Rockies

After losing their first series at home over the weekend, the Dodgers rebounded on the road against the obliging Colorado Rockies. Taking advantage of cozy Coors Field, LA exploded for 16-6, 7-1, and 8-6 victories to increase its lead in the National League West to 8 1/2 games over San Diego. LA (33-15) has now swept two series from the Rockies this season in winning eight of nine games between the clubs. Colorado dropped to 18-28 and remained in the NL West cellar.

“It was a good few days here,” Dodger Manager Joe Torre said on Dodgers.com. “This is not an easy place to come in and play. We certainly played every inning, which is all I ever ask for, and we’ve been getting that.” After easy victories on Monday and Tuesday, the Rockies rallied in the bottom of the ninth on Wednesday against relievers Ronald Belisario, Will Ohman, and closer Jonathan Broxton. They scored three times in the inning to cut their deficit to the winning margin and had the game-winning run at the plate with two out. Colorado’s last run came across when Broxton issued a bases-loaded walk to Todd Helton. “So much for saving your closer,” Torre said on the Dodger website, referring to the inability of Belisario and Ohman to secure an easy victory. “We tried. (Broxton) wound up working harder than if he started the inning. I don’t think he was wild. He was just, as we all are, very aware of Helton in that last inning. After going 0-for-4, Helton was hitting .327 with a .509 slugging percentage. James Loney keyed a five-run seventh for the Dodgers with a three-run double and had four RBI. Juan Pierre was three-for-five with a double and Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, and Loney chipped in two hits each.

In the 7-1 triumph, Eric Milton won his first game since Aug. 8, 2006, Casey Blake smacked a bases-loaded double and Juan Pierre and Orlando Hudson combined for five hits in eight at bats to pace a 12-hit attack. Juan Castro, playing short for the slumping Rafael Furcal (.238 batting average), and Brad Ausmus each had two hits for the Dodgers, who stranded 20 runners. Milton (1-0) allowed seven hits in five-plus innings, including Clint Barmes’ solo homer in the fifth. LA scored seven runs in the fourth and eight in the seventh to rout the Rockies in the series opener. Six Colorado pitchers allowed 19 hits, including three each by Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, Juan Castro and James Loney and two each from Pierre, who belted a bases-loaded triple, Hudson, and Blake.

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Dodger Chatter: The Dodgers have scored in double figures six times, with the 16 runs in Monday’s game the season high. Their eight-run seventh in that 16-6 win also is a season high total. LA has had two seven-run innings. The Dodgers love to face Colorado pitching, having amassed 30 runs in the nine games played against the Rockies. Manny Ramirez has been working out at Dodger Stadium during the team’s current road trip. Dodger substitutes continue to excel at the plate, allowing Torre to rest starters without hesitation. Castro is hitting .385 in 39 at bats, Ausmus .355 in 31 at bats, Mark Loretta .333 (45 at bats) and, of course, Pierre, who is hitting .404 in 114 at bats. Hudson continues to make a case for an all-star berth with a .347 batting average and .495 and .420 slugging and on-base percentages.

By: Bob Trostler
Los Angeles Dodgers Correspondent

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