There's something about the 1st inning whenever the Dodgers and Rockies get together that lots of runs will be scored.
Do you remember back on April 26 when the Dodgers posted a 10 spot in the 1st at home against the Rocks? Well, the same thing almost happened, this time in Coors Field, as Matt Kemp paved the way with 2 doubles to put up 8 runs. Both teams traded runs after that as the Dodgers won, 16-10.
The baseball purists would not have enjoyed this one, as both starting pitchers were either awful (Kip Wells) or pretty bad (Eric Stults), and the offenses kept this game going for 3 hours and 40 minutes. Wells could only get 1 out as he was yanked after dishing out 8 runs (7 earned). Stults should have easily cruised to a W, but was pulled after only 3.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. He left the bases loaded in the 4th, but Brian Falkenborg came on and gave up only 1 run.
The funny thing is that the Rockies actually scored in 7 of the 9 innings, and outhit the Dodgers 20-18. They also took more walks (6-5), turned more double plays (2-0), stole more bases (1-0), and hit the game's only homer (Matt Holliday in the 3rd). But, the Dodgers still comfortably won.
And for once, I can point to the one statistic that may mean more than any other one (well, other than runs scored), and that's men left on base. Rockies - 16, Dodgers - 7. That, my friends, is the difference between winning and losing.
In scoring 16 runs, there's plenty of offensive heroes. Kemp got both his hits in the 1st, 2 huge doubles. Andre Ethier added a double and 2 RBI. Russell Martin had 3 hits and an RBI. Jeff Kent was perfect in 4 AB's, going 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB before turning over to Pablo Ozuna, who added a hit in 2 AB's. Even Angel Berroa looked like a Major League player, going 2-5, R, 2 RBI, and adding a nifty play at short later in the game.
The best was James Loney, who loves Coors Field. He was 3-6, 2 R, 5 RBI. In 14 career games there, his OPS is .961 with 4 HR and 24 RBI. I think he'll enjoy the next 2 games there.
And how did Andruw Jones do? 1-4 with 3 K's. It's nice to see him being consistent. He consistently sucks day in and day out.
None of the 5 pitchers that appeared for the Dodgers had numbers that looked pretty. Like I said before, Stults wasn't very good. Falkenborg got the win, but still gave up a run on 4 hits in 1.1 IP. Even Hong-Chih Kuo gave up 2 runs in 1.2 IP. Call it the Coors Field effect, I guess.
After scoring 16 runs last night and having a huge comeback win over Arizona the day before, the Dodgers will look to keep the ball rolling today. Clayton Kershaw is recalled and will get the start. I'm sure he's happy with that, but probably a little upset that it comes in Coors Field, where everybody looks bad. Still, he's back with the big club and looking to prove that's where he should stay.
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