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Dodgers open up short series with rested Rockies

Apr 5, 2011 - 2:26 PM (Sports Network) - Clayton Kershaw tries to follow up his spectacular Opening Day performance when the Los Angeles Dodgers begin a brief two-game set with the Colorado Rockies this evening at Coors Field.

Kershaw opened the year for the Dodgers against the defending world champion San Francisco Giants on Thursday and scattered four hits over seven scoreless innings to nail down the win. He also struck out nine and walked a batter.

"Every time he goes out there, you expect to win," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said after that start. "He keeps getting better, keeps working ... He's going to be tough."

Kershaw, who was 13-10 last season, is 5-3 lifetime against the Rockies with a 3.63 ERA in 13 starts.

The dominant outing by Kershaw set the tone for the Dodgers, as they took three of four from the Giants over the weekend and wrapped up the set with a 7-5 win on Sunday. Marcus Thames, Aaron Miles, Rafael Furcal and Andre Ethier all had an RBI in a four-run seventh inning that gave the Dodgers the lead for good in that one.

As good as the Dodgers have looked to start the year, closer Jonathan Broxton could be a cause for concern. Although he saved all three wins, Broxton has surrendered three runs and two home runs in three innings.

Colorado, meanwhile, had its finale with the Arizona Diamondbacks postponed on Sunday because of a rain/snow mixture in the Denver area. The Rockies had split their first two games and recorded a 3-1 win on Saturday.

Starter Jorge De La Rosa was sensational for the Rockies in that one, as he struck out five and scattered three hits before leaving with one out in the sixth inning because of a blister on his index finger. He also had an RBI single in the game, while Dexter Fowler collected an RBI double for Colorado.

Huston Street recorded his first save of the season, stranding the possible tying run in the top of the ninth.

Tonight the Rockies will give the ball to Jhoulys Chacin as the 23-year-old righty starts his second full season in the majors. He went 9-11 with a 3.28 ERA in 28 games (21 starts) in 2010.

Chacin allowed two earned runs or less in each of his final eight starts and has a 3-3 mark with a 2.84 ERA in seven games (six starts) against Los Angeles.

The Dodgers were 11-7 against the Rockies last season.