Game 103 Thread: July 26 @ Rockies, 6.05p

Dodgers start Brad Penny, RHP (12-1, 2.42) vs. Rodrigo Lopez, RHP (5-3, 4.46).

Dodgers: 56-46 (1st place NL West, 1.0 GA, L2)
Rockies: 51-50 (4th place NL West, 4.5 GB, W1)

From Dodgers.com, the scouting report on the starters:

Dodgers: Penny wasn't at his best Saturday afternoon against the Mets, allowing four runs on six hits, including a two-run homer to David Wright. However, the righty produced a gutsy performance, managing 6 1/3 innings and throwing 111 pitches. His velocity and breaking ball were solid, but he didn't have the command that has made him one of the toughest pitchers in the Majors. In his first start against the Rockies, on April 11, Penny allowed just two hits and no runs over 6 1/3 innings.

Rockies: Lopez was tagged with a loss after a six-inning, three-run outing against Washington on Saturday. He displayed impressive command of his pitches and has now had two consecutive starts in which he's taken a shutout into the sixth inning. The Rockies didn't score any runs, though, taking away any opportunity he might have had to get a victory. Because of scheduling, his past two starts have been on seven days' rest, but he will return to his normal schedule for this one.

COMMENTS:

We're reeling right now after dropping the series to the Astros, which one never would have expected after Chad Billingsley goes out there in game one to pitch his first career complete game. Despite that great performance, questionable lineup decisions and late calls to the bullpen (Grady's favorite non-move) had us leave Houston with lethargic offense, depleted bullpen, and injured starter (Derek Lowe). Luckily, now that we're in Colorado, spirits have potential to be better--we laugh every time we see this picture of a strung-out Rodrigo Lopez!