The Rockies dropped the first game of their three game set against the Dodgers last night 4-0. Clayton Kershaw was dominant on the mound and hurled a four hit shutout and needed only 108 pitches to do so. Kershaw showed why he is one of the best pitchers in the game and he had everything working last night. He had eight strikeouts and no walks in the game and he ended Michael Cuddyer's hitting streak at 27 games. Cuddyer flied out to Yasiel Puig to end the game. Speaking of Yasiel Puig, he was as advertised in his first game at Coors Field. The 22 year old rookie phenom for the Dodgers finished the game going 3-5 with a home run, two runs and one RBI. He raised his average to .443 on the season and continues to impress in his first month in the Major Leagues.
Tyler Chatwood will be looking to harness the Dodgers offense when he takes the mound for the Rockies tonight. Chatwood has been impressive this year and on the year he has a 4-1 record with a 2.13 ERA. His last start came against the Mets in the makeup game and he threw six innings allowing just four hits, one run, three walks and struck out two. He was in line for the win until the bullpen allowed two runs in the eighth inning and the Rockies ultimately lost the game 3-2. Chatwood has had five starts at home this year and has a 2-0 record with a 3.14 ERA. Chatwood has made one start against the Dodgers this year on April 29th and he went six innings allowing just five hits, no runs, no walks and struck out five en route to his first victory on the season. Current Dodgers are hitting for a combined .308 average against Chatwood with one home run and nine RBI in 65 at bats. Andre Ethier is hitting .500 against him with six hits in 12 at bats with two doubles and one RBI. Chatwood will need to keep the ball low in the zone and work ahead in the counts in order to be successful. The Dodgers lineup has the ability to inflict pain throughout the order and can wreak havoc on a pitcher and make him pay for any mistakes that are left over the plate.
The Dodgers will be sending Zack Greinke to the mound to face off against the Rockies tonight. On the year Greinke has a 5-2 record with a 3.94 ERA. He got a win in his last start against the Phillies despite not pitching up to his standards. He went seven innings allowing 12 hits, four runs, one walk and struck out five. Greinke has not been very good on the road this year and the Rockies will be looking to make sure that it does not get any better. He has a 1-2 record with a very high 5.60 ERA in five starts on the road this season. This will be his second start at Coors Field this year as he also faced off against the Rockies on June 1st. In that start he lasted only 5 1/3rd innings allowing nine hits, four runs, three walks and struck out three batters. He managed to get out of the game with a no decision as the Rockies came back and scored the winning run on a Dexter Fowler walk off single in the 10th inning. He has fared well against current Rockies hitters as they are hitting a combined .230 against him in 115 at bats. Carlos Gonzalez has done the best against him as he has five hits in 12 at bats including one triple and one home run. Greinke likes to work the ball in on right handers and away to lefties so that is something that the Rockies will look to exploit in tonight's game.
The Dodgers lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Mark Ellis, 2B
2. Yasiel Puig, RF
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Hanley Ramirez, SS
5. Andre Ethier, LF
6. Matt Kemp, CF
7. AJ Ellis, C
8. Juan Uribe, 3B
9. Zack Greinke, P
The Rockies lineup for tonight's game is as follows:
1. Corey Dickerson, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Wilin Rosario, C
6. Todd Helton, 1B
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. Jonathan Herrera, SS
9. Tyler Chatwood, P
First pitch for the game tonight is at 6:10 PM Mountain time. The Rockies currently sit in second place in the division at 41-43, 1.5 games behind Arizona. They will be looking to make up some ground tonight and continue their dominance against division opponents this year.
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