The Dodgers scored eight in the first and went on to double that for the night as they beat the Rockies at Coors Field for their fourth win in the last five.
The Dodgers sent 12 men to the plate in the first to score 8 runs, and had an 11-0 lead by the third. They totaled a season-high 18 hits on the night, with 3 each from Russell Martin, Jeff Kent, and James Loney, and 2 each by Andre Ethier, Angel Berroa, and Matt Kemp, who had two doubles in the first inning to extend his hit streak to nine. The powered offense was led by Loney, who was 3 for 6 with a triple and 5 RBI. Loney now has 11 RBI in four games at Coors this season, and has 24 career RBI in 14 games there, including nine in one game as a rookie back in September 2006.
Amazingly enough, the Dodgers were outhit by the Rockies. Starter Eric Stults gave them six hits while the bullpen allowed them to total 20. Stults took the mound in the third with a 11-0 lead, gave up a run, and was pulled with two outs in the fourth, unable to earn himself a victory. Stults was charged with three runs, and Falkenborg, Cory Wade, Joe Beimel, and Hong-Chih Kuo all combined to be tagged for ten earned runs on 14 hits. They all worked to keep 16 Rockies stranded on base, and Falkenborg was given the win.
Clayton Kershaw will be activated to start in Tuesday’s game. Kershaw was 0-2 in his eight starts this season with the Dodgers, but Torre is expected to keep him with the team and in the rotation for the remainder of the season. Tuesday’s original starter was Jason Johnson, but he is still expected to stay with the team and pitch in relief while another roster move, likely a pitcher, will be made to make room for Kershaw. The Rockies send Ubaldo Jimenez to the mound. Jimenez is 5-9 with a 4.20 ERA. Kershaw will still be in search of his first big league victory, and a win with an Arizona loss could again give the Dodgers sole possession of first place.
