The Rockies rallied back on Wednesday to get a 4-3 win before the Dodgers got a 3-1 win on Thursday to avoid the sweep.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers had a 3-0 lead by the second. Matt Kemp singled in Juan Pierre in the first before the Dodgers got lucky in the second, scoring two off an error. That would be it for the offense, with Kemp and Pierre getting consecutive strikeouts with runners on second and third with one out in the fourth for the last would-be rally.
Chad Billingsley left after six with a one-run lead after giving up two runs on five hits with 6 K’s. Chan Ho Park was tagged for a blown save after giving up a run in the seventh, though it was unearned as part of the Dodgers’ four-error night, two from third baseman Russell Martin. Jonathan Broxton then came in with the tie in the ninth and hit the first batter, who stole second and took third on Danny Ardoin’s error before scoring on an RBI-single. The Dodgers outhit the Rockies but their four-error night, the first time with that many in three years, secured them the loss.
The boys recovered from their ugly defensive loss on Wednesday and came back to win on Thursday, led by an outstanding start by Derek Lowe.
Colorado scored their first and only run in the first inning, but the Dodgers answered back to muster three runs on five hits for the win. The first run was scored by Manny, who had reached on an error, actually stole second, and scored the tying run on James Loney’s single. Andre Ethier put the Dodgers ahead with an RBI in the fifth before Loney added another RBI, off a solo homerun in the seventh to cap off the scoring.
Lowe threw an impressive 6 1/3 innings, giving up the one run in the first before scattering just four total hits with 7 K’s. He earns his 10th win to give him six straight 10-plus win seasons. Hong Chih Kuo finished the 7th and threw the eighth for the hold before Broxton nabbed his 10th save after giving up a double on his first pitch, but turned around to strike out the side.
The Dodgers end their homestand with seven wins out of 10, including a four-game sweep of the Phillies, before heading on a ten game roadtrip, beginning in Philly on Friday. Greg Maddux will make his Dodger debut…of 2008. Maddux is replacing Penny, who is on the DL for likely the remainder of the season, and went 6-9 this year so far. He will face Kyle Kendrick, who is 10-7 and has an ERA that almost touches 7 in his past six starts. Maddux looks to help gain a game for the Dodgers on the lead in the West; they stand 2 back right now. The veteran’s start tonight will be followed up by rookie Clayton Kershaw’s start tomorrow.
