The Rockies got a masterful pitching performance last night from Juan Nicasio which led to the 3-0 defeat of the Dodgers in LA. DJ LeMahieu provided an offensive spark as he went 3-5 on the night and Charlie Blackmon also added two hits. The series is now tied one game a piece with two games remaining until the All Star break. The Rockies will try and build some momentum heading into the break and get something to build onto as the second half of the season begins next week.
Tyler Chatwood will be taking the mound today for the Rockies and looking to keep the Dodger bats silent much like they were last night. On the year Chatwood is 5-2 with a 2.74 ERA. He picked up the victory in his last start against the Padres when he went 6 2/3rd innings allowing five hits, two runs, walked three and struck out four. He battled his command a bit as he issued the three walks but was able to battle into the seventh inning and keep the Padres at bay for the most part. Chatwood has been a consistent pitcher for the Rockies since he was called up in late April. His 2.74 ERA leads the team for starters and he has been able to avoid the big inning on the mound and has done a great job limiting the damage when runners do reach base. He has been fantastic on the road this year as he has a 3-1 record with a very good 1.26 ERA in five games started. He has made two starts this year against the Dodgers and he is 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA. He has made one start in LA on April 29th and he was very good going six innings allowing five hits, no runs, no walks and struck out five in route to his first win on the season. Dodgers hitters have gotten the best of Chatwood in previous meeting but most of those at bats came in previous years and it is very evident that Chatwood is a different pitcher this year. In 88 combined at bats the Dodgers are hitting .341 with three home runs and 14 RBI. Hanley Ramirez is 4 for 7 against him and Andre Ethier is 7 for 15. Chatwood will be looking to keep the ball low in the zone and away from the power of Gonzalez and Ramirez.
Zack Greinke will be taking the mound today to face off against the Rockies. On the year Greinke is 7-2 with a 3.91 ERA. He had his best start of the season his last time out as he picked up the victory against the Diamondbacks. He went seven innings allowing just two hits, no runs, two walks and struck out seven. He has been unbeaten at Dodger stadium this year with a 4-0 record and a 2.70 ERA in six starts at home. Greinke has won four starts in a row and is starting to become the pitcher that the Dodgers expected him to be when they signed him in the off season. This will be his third start against the Rockies this year and he is 1-0 in his previous two. He beat the Rockies on July 3rd despite giving up five runs in five innings of work. His other start he allowed four runs in 5 1/3rd innings pitched. He has struggled against Rockies hitters this year and he has been unable to limit the damage he has taken which has caused him to exit the game earlier than he or the Dodgers would like to see. Current Rockies hitters are hitting just .246 against Greinke with three home runs and 18 RBI in 130 combined at bats. Carlos Gonzalez has owned Greinke as he is 6 for 14 against him with a double, triple and two home runs against him. Greinke will be looking to make it past five innings against the Rockies this time and he will be going for his fifth straight victory on the year.
The Dodgers lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Skip Schumaker, RF
2. Mark Ellis, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Hanley Ramirez, SS
5. Andre Ethier, CF
6. AJ Ellis, C
7. Jerry Hairston Jr, LF
8. Juan Uribe, 3B
9. Zack Greinke, P
The Rockies lineup for the game today is as follows:
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Todd Helton, 1B
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
7. Yorvit Torrealba, C
8. Jonathan Herrera, SS
9. Tyler Chatwood, P
First pitch for the game today is at 5:15 PM Mountain time. The Rockies will be looking to make it two straight wins and also draw ever closer to the division lead before heading into the All Star break next week.
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