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Penny, Furcal power Dodgers past Pirates

Apr 17, 2008 - 6:52 AM By Jonathan Raber PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Brad Penny pitched 5 2/3 effective innings and got plenty of run support from a suddenly sizzling offense as the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed an 8-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

The Dodgers pounded out a season-high 15 hits against the Pirates, besting the 13 they collected in Tuesday's victory.

"It's not a surprise," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said of the offense. "I'm happy to see it, that's for sure."

Prior to these two games, the team had scored a combined five runs in its previous three contests.

"We've always had confidence and we've always known that we could put a lot of runs on the board," Dodgers right fielder Matt Kemp said. "If everybody keeps swinging and keeps doing their job, we'll be good."

Rafael Furcal matched a career high with four hits to go with two RBI, and James Loney and Juan Pierre each knocked in two runs for Los Angeles.

Penny (2-2), who was given a large lead early, allowed an unearned run and five hits while striking out four without issuing a walk on 85 pitches.

"Anytime you get a big lead like that, a six-run lead, you can be more aggressive and pick your corners," Penny said.

The Dodgers wasted little time getting to Pirates starter Paul Maholm, opening a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

After the first four batters reached safely in the opening frame, Kemp and Jeff Kent hit consecutive run-scoring singles before a sacrifice fly by Loney and an RBI base hit by Pierre opened the four-run bulge.

"They had some hits that were placed well, but they swung the bats well," Pirates center fielder Nate McLouth said.

The Dodgers continued their offense explosion one inning later.

Furcal smacked the first pitch he saw for a home run to left field and Loney picked up his second sacrifice fly, plating Russell Martin as Los Angeles' lead ballooned to 6-0.

"He's our spark plug," Kemp said of Furcal. "He's an all-around great player and great person to have on the team."

With a seventh-inning single, Loney has hit safely in all 15 games this season. The streak matches the Dodgers' longest of 2007, which was shared by Furcal and Pierre.

Nomar Garciaparra made his season debut for Los Angeles, starting at third base and batting seventh. He singled in his second at-bat and walked twice after missing the first 14 games due to a broken bone in his right wrist.

"It was a nice surprise," Garciaparra said. "I was glad I was able to get in there and get that one under my belt and, hopefully, get a lot more wins like that."

McLouth extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the sixth. He scored the Pirates' lone run on Adam LaRoche's two-out single, which chased Penny from the game.

However, the streak is not enough for McLouth to overlook the Pirates' inconsistent play thus far.

"I just feel good (at the plate), but to be honest with you, I (couldn't) care less," McLouth said. "I've hit in 15 games and we've lost eight of them. Eight days it didn't matter, and seven it did."

Maholm (0-2) surrendered six runs - four earned - and 11 hits in five innings. The 25-year-old lefthander walked two and struck out two.