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Cuddyer, Rockies seek to extend Dodgers' struggles

Jun 2, 2012 - 2:16 PM (Sports Network) - With eight RBI over his last three games and currently in a tie for fifth-most RBI in the National League, Michael Cuddyer has been a big reason why the Rockies are the hottest team in the National League.

Trying for a sixth straight win today, the Rockies will continue their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that's hit the skids by losing five in a row.

While the Rockies are headed in a positive direction, the Dodgers are mired in their longest losing streak since Sept. 4-9, 2010 when they dropped six straight.

Carlos Gonzalez has also been strong at the plate recently for the Rockies, hitting .577 (15-for-26), with six homers and 11 RBI over his last six contests.

Wilin Rosario hit a two-run home run, scored three times and drove in three runs in Colorado's 13-3 rout last night. Chris Nelson and Cuddyer hit back-to- back homers in the eighth, while Cuddyer scored four times for the Rockies.

Josh Outman pitched 3 1/3 innings in the start and gave up just two hits. Adam Ottavino (1-0) got the first win of his career for pitching 1 2/3 innings without giving up a run.

"I was able to execute tonight and give the team what it needed," said Outman. "I'm not going to be able to do that every night, but this was a nice first start for me."

Alex Castellanos drove in a pair of runs for the Dodgers. Chris Capuano (7-2) was touched for seven runs -- four earned -- on seven hits with four walks over 5 1/3 innings.

"It was the sloppiest game that we've had," said Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly.

Winless in his last five starts, the Colorado Rockies are hoping Juan Nicasio can bounce back from a pair of rough outings today. The right-hander has given up nine hits and five earned runs in each of his last two starts, losses to Houston and Miami. His last victory came April 30, against the Dodgers at Coors Field against today's pitcher for Los Angeles, Aaron Harang.

Harang is 0-1 over his last two outings and is 5-5 with a 4.75 ERA in 12 lifetime games vs. Colorado. He surrendered six hits and five runs over 5 2/3 innings in that April 30, 6-2 loss to the Rockies.

The Dodgers swept a three-game series at home versus the Rockies from May 11-13 after losing two of three in Colorado earlier in the season.