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Dodgers-Rockies Preview

Aug 26, 2009 - 6:01 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (74-51) at Colorado (71-54), 8:40 p.m. EDT

Colorado's lineup is leading the team's strong run at first place in the NL West. Not only will the Rockies have to find a way to solve Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf, though, they may need to outhit him.

The surging Rockies, who continue to slice into the Dodgers' division lead, look to end Wolf's three-game winning streak and stop him from coming through with yet another big hit Wednesday night.

Colorado (72-54) drew within two games of Los Angeles (74-52) with a 5-4, 10-inning win Tuesday night in the opener of this three-game set. Troy Tulowitzki drove in the winning run with one out and the bases loaded, moving the Rockies 18 games over .500 for the first time in their history.

Colorado, which trailed Los Angeles by 15 1/2 games, is averaging 6.4 runs in its last 16 games.

"We feel them coming. That is a good team," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "They keep playing. That's what you want a team to do is keep playing. They are very dangerous because they keep coming at you."

The Rockies' success at the plate has helped them take advantage of a Dodgers lineup that has scuffled in recent weeks. Los Angeles has lost 11 of 19, scoring three runs or fewer 11 times.

Wolf (8-6, 3.34 ERA) has posted a 1.99 ERA in winning his last three outings and has also done his best to give the Dodgers' lineup a boost, driving in five runs in his last two games.

The veteran left-hander hit a two-run homer and drove in a run with a double in Los Angeles' 9-3 win over Arizona on Aug. 16. In his last game, Wolf allowed one run in seven innings and hit a two-run double in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night, becoming the first Dodgers pitcher with 11 RBIs in a single season since Fernando Valenzuela in 1990.

"Wolfie has been such a lift for us," Torre said.

Wolf had two RBIs in his last start against the Rockies, surrendering two runs in six innings as the Dodgers won 4-2 in 10 innings on June 29. He's 4-2 with a 4.36 ERA in 11 starts versus Colorado.

The Rockies will counter with Josh Fogg (0-1, 2.25), who is replacing Aaron Cook (shoulder) in the rotation. This will be Fogg's first start since last Sept. 4, when he gave up five runs and four hits in three innings for Cincinnati in an 8-6 loss to Pittsburgh.

The right-hander has been outstanding as the Rockies' long reliever since being recalled from the minors May 25, surrendering 26 hits in 40 innings.

Fogg is 3-4 with a 4.07 ERA in 10 starts against the Dodgers, who left 12 runners on base Tuesday.

Los Angeles third baseman Casey Blake, though, went 2 for 4 with a solo shot. Blake hit .177 with 17 strikeouts in his previous 13 games.

Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, meanwhile, went 2 for 4 after hitting .172 in his previous eight contests. He's batting .400 with two homers and five RBIs in six games against the Rockies this season.