Dodgers at Rockies
Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler have put the Colorado Rockies on their shoulders and their teammates are enjoying the ride. The Rockies will try to extend their season-high winning streak to six games when they host the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. Gonzalez and Fowler are a combined 29-for-49 with 20 RBIs in their last six games and Colorado has scored 53 runs during its winning streak. Gonzalez leads the National League with 45 RBIs – one more than Los Angeles’ Andre Ethier – and is starting to put together another MVP-type season.
The Dodgers’ Aaron Harang was a tough-luck loser in his last start – his first setback since April 30 at Colorado – and has pitched well in four of the last five outings. He is 1-1 against the Rockies this season. Juan Nicasio hasn’t won since defeating Harang and Los Angeles that day.
Los Angeles has lost a season-high five games and its lead in the National League West over San Francisco has shrunk to four games.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Root Sports (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Aaron Harang (3-3, 4.14 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (2-2, 5.11 ERA)
Harang allowed three runs (one earned) in five innings in Los Angeles’ 3-2 loss to Milwaukee on Monday. He was 2-0 with two no-decisions since his last setback, including a 2-1 victory over Colorado on May 12. Harang is 5-5 with a 4.75 ERA in 12 career starts against the Rockies, but is just 2-2 with a 6.40 ERA at Coors Field. The Colorado roster is hitting .275 against him, with Gonzalez 5-for-12 with a homer and five RBIs.
Nicasio is 0-2 with three no-decisions since April 30 and has allowed six runs in three of his last five starts. The Rockies bailed him out Monday with a 9-7 victory over Houston, their only win in Nicasio’s last five outings. Nicasio is 2-1 with a 7.04 ERA in six starts at home. The Dodgers’ roster is hitting .307 against him. Ethier is 6-for-10 with a homer and three RBIs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles committed a season-high four errors in Friday’s 13-3 loss.
2. The Dodgers had five players in Friday's starting lineup whose fathers played in the major leagues: Tony Gwynn, Ivan De Jesus Jr., Scott Van Slyke (Andy), Dee Gordon (Tom) and Jerry Hairston Jr.
3. Los Angeles left fielder Alex Castellanos, who was called up to replace Matt Kemp, had his first major-league hit Friday, an RBI triple. He also had a sacrifice fly.