NewsDodgers show success in slowing Rox
Los Angeles (49-28) vs. Colorado (40-36), 7:10 p.m. PT
By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com
06/30/09 3:14 AM ET
LOS ANGELES -- There's no question that the Rockies have been baseball's hottest team over the past month. After all, Colorado has won 20 out of 24 games and is 22-8 under former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, who replaced Clint Hurdle after he was dismissed on May 29. But the key for the Dodgers slowing down the Rockies comes from within, according to manager Joe Torre. "It's more about us," Torre said. "It's how we play. It comes down to who's going to pitch and who's going to control the game better." Right-hander Chad Billingsley will be the one in charge of slowing the Rockies down on Tuesday, and it's a team he's struggled against in the past. Billingsley is 2-2 with a 5.18 ERA in nine career outings against the Rockies. But Billingsley did beat the Rockies in his lone start against the club this season when he allowed four runs, three earned, over six innings in the Dodgers' 9-5 win on April 11 at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have actually had plenty of success this season against the red-hot Rockies, winning nine of 10 games against Colorado. But as Torre noted, the Rockies have become a different team over the past month. "We knew they weren't playing up to their potential watching the batting averages up there," Torre said. "We played a number of games early against them, which I guess is fortunate. They're playing with a whole different type of confidence right now." Tracy, who went 427-383 in five years as the Dodgers manager from 2001-05, credits his team for taking a one-day-at-a-time approach during their current hot streak. "I think we've done a great job of being patient," Tracy said. "The way we approach it is day to day. What's important to us is today's game." Pitching matchupLAD: RHP Chad Billingsley (9-3, 3.10 ERA)
For the second consecutive start, Billingsley was given a lead of at least three runs and couldn't protect it, missing out on becoming the first 10-game winner in the National League. This time, Billingsley allowed home runs to the White Sox Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski -- who hit a three-run shot -- and came away with another no-decision. He also walked four in the outing and has walked nine in his past 12 innings. COL: RHP Jason Marquis (9-5, 4.22 ERA)
Marquis got lit up early and often against the Angels on Wednesday, giving up seven earned runs in 31/3 innings of work. Going for a Major League-leading 10 wins, Marquis recorded the loss, moving to 9-5 with a 4.22 ERA. Marquis in 10 games against the Dodgers is 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA. Tidbits
The Dodgers will celebrate Independence Day early with Fireworks Night at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. ... Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards and actor Zachary Levi from NBC's Chuck threw out the ceremonial first pitches on Monday. ... Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt celebrated his 55th birthday on Monday. Tickets
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• KABC 790, KHJ 930 (Español) Up next
• Wednesday: Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw, 5-5, 3.70) vs. Rockies (Jason Hammel, 5-3, 4.21), 12:10 p.m. PT
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda, 2-4, 3.77) at Padres (Chad Gaudin, 4-6, 4.97), 7:05 p.m. PT
Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
