Colorado Rockies 6 Los Angeles Dodgers 3 (April 9, 2007)
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0 commentsThe Rockies bullpen stops their streak of giving up the win late in the game, though they came close.
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Jeff Francis |
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also had a solo HR and injury |
Good pitching by the Rockies starter, Jeff Francis (1-0), allowed the Rockies a 4-2 lead in the over seven innings he pitched. He gave up two runs on 5 hits with solo home run to the opposing starting pitcher, Jason Schmidt (1-1), in the third and three walks with 6 strikeouts. The Dodgers' starter, Schmidt, left in the fifth inning with a right hamstring injury covering first on a play. In a post game interview he said "It's OK. It's definitely not a hamstring pull. I just got dehydrated out there and got a little cramp in it." He had given up 4 runs on 7 hits with 6 strikeouts and a solo home run to Garrett Atkins in the first. His home run was the first for a Dodgers pitcher since July 31, 2004.
The story looked like it would be more of the same: Rockies starting pitchers get lead, bullpen blows the game. Brian Fuentes came in to pitch the ninth inning and promptly loaded the bases with no outs and a four-run lead. But he managed to allow only one run on Juan Pierre's sacrifice fly and then an infield fly rule and a pop out to center to seal the win.
The Rockies' speed also played into the scoring. Willy Taveras and Kaz Matsui both reached base allowing runs to score beating out the infield hit. Taveras would advance to second on a balk in the ninth and advanced to third on a sacrifice by Matsui and score with another sacrifice by Atkins. Refreshing to see the teamwork hitting coming together for the Rockies.
Dodgers Matt Kemp came out of the game in the fourth after colliding with the new auxiliary scoreboard. X-rays on his shoulder were negative and he stated he doesn't think he'll be out more than a couple days.
Todd Helton had the day off but came in as a pinch hitter in the eighth but grounded out. His replacement, Jeff Baker had three hits including an RBI triple in the fourth.
This was the Dodgers' home opener in front of a record-tying crowd of 56,000.
Date
April 9, 2007
