Dodgers Vs. Rockies Preview: Haren Faces Coors Field Challenge
In what was a close game for the first five innings, resulted in a blowout as the Los Angeles Dodgers used an eight-run sixth inning to win the first of the three-game set against the Colorado Rockies.
The Dodgers now lead the division by four games as they look to continue further distancing themselves from the San Francisco Giants.
Dan Haren takes the mound looking to win his fourth consecutive start and the same holds true for the Dodgers. Haren is 13-10 with a 3.99 ERA this season, which is the first time he’s had a sub-4.00 ERA since June. The right-hander is 5-1 in his last seven starts and will need to continue pitching well considering Hyun-Jin Ryu’s injury.
In his 11-year career, Haren has made 17 starts against the Rockies and had scattered results — posting a 7-8 record and 5.00 ERA. Haren last faced the Rockies June 5 and allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 5.1 innings pitched in a start that was at Coors Field.
Taking the hill for the Rockies is Tyler Matzek. On the season, Matzek is 5-10 with a 4.23 ERA. Matzek recently hit a rough patch, but quickly worked himself out of it. After losing five consecutive starts, the 23 year old followed with four quality starts, three of which were victories. One of those starts was a three-hit shutout of the San Diego Padres.
In just his second career start in the Majors, Matzek faced the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. In five innings pitched, he allowed 10 hits, three runs and issued two walks in a 6-1 loss. He now finds himself having to face an explosive Dodgers’ offense at Coors Field, where hits and runs tend to come in bunches.
Taking over for the red-hot Carl Crawford is Scott Van Slyke. Crawford said his hamstring locked up after being hit by a pitch Monday, but he’s available off the bench. Hanley Ramirez, who was a late scratch due to a strained elbow, is replaced by Justin Turner.
Dodgers Lineup
2B: Gordon
CF: Puig
1B: Gonzalez
RF: Kemp
LF: Van Slyke
SS: Turner
3B: Uribe
C: Ellis
P: Haren
Rockies Lineup
RF: Blackmon
SS: Rutledge
1B: Morneau
CF: Stubbs
LF: Dickerson
C: McKenry
3B: Culberson
2B: LeMahieu
P: Matzek
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