Recap: Colorado vs. Los Angeles
Sports Network | September 13, 2008
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - James Loney had two hits and drove in three runs, as the surging Los Angeles Dodgers downed the floundering Colorado Rockies, 7-2, in the first of three straight games at Coors Field.
Matt Kemp went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored for the Dodgers, who have won three straight games and 11 of 12 overall. Manny Ramirez collected two hits and knocked in a run, while Nomar Garciaparra scored twice.
Chad Billingsley (15-10) allowed two runs on six hits in six innings to get the win. The right-hander has won three straight starts and is 6-1 over his last 10 trips to the mound.
The Dodgers are 3 1/2 games ahead of Arizona for the top spot in the NL West.
Matt Holliday clubbed a solo home run for Colorado, which has dropped six games in a row.
Jeff Francis (4-10) was saddled with the loss after he was touched for three runs on six hits in six innings. Manny Corpas gave up three runs in one inning of relief.
Colorado got on the board in the first on Holliday's 25th home run of the season, but the Dodgers answered with a pair of runs in the second. Garciaparra drew a one-out walk and Kemp lined an RBI double to right. Kemp advanced to third on Brad Hawpe's fielding error and scored on a Blake DeWitt sacrifice fly. Clint Barmes then tied the score in the bottom half with a run- scoring single.
Los Angeles regained the lead in the fourth on an RBI base hit by Kemp, and Manny Ramirez singled home Angel Berroa in the seventh for a 4-2 Dodgers advantage.
The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the ninth on a walk to Chin-Lung Hu and singles by Andre Ethier and Ramirez. After pinch-hitter Juan Pierre popped out, Loney ripped a bases-clearing double to the wall in right.
Francis falls to 5-3 in 14 career starts against the Dodgers...Before the game, Colorado activated first baseman Todd Helton from the 60-day disabled list. To make room on the roster, Colorado designated pitcher Pedro Strop for assignment...The Rockies left nine men on base, while Los Angeles stranded eight.
