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Penny, Dodgers look to get back on track, face Rockies

Jul 26, 2007 - 1:50 PM La Dodgers (56-46) at Colorado (51-50) 9:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Dodgers turn to ace Brad Penny help them break out of a funk.

Penny and the Dodgers begin a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

Los Angeles has lost five of its last seven games, including dropping two of three games at Houston earlier this week.

The Dodgers turn to Penny (12-1, 2.42 ERA), who looks to join Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs as the National League's only 13-game winners.

The big righthander has won two straight starts and seven consecutive decisions, including an 8-6 win vs. the New York Mets last Saturday when he allowed four runs - three earned - and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Penny gave up just two hits over 6 1/3 innings in a 1-0 win over Colorado on April 11. The righthander is 4-1 with a 3.60 ERA in eight career starts at Coors Field.

Los Angeles has won eight of its last 11 games here.

The Rockies counter with Rodrigo Lopez (5-3, 4.46), who has lost three of his last four decisions. The 31-year-old righthander allowed three runs and five hits in six innings in a 3-0 loss to the Washington Nationals last Saturday.

The Rockies, who have alternated wins and losses in their last eight games, are 2-3 vs. Dodgers this season.