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Dodgers hope to bounce bounce back vs. Rockies

Jul 23, 2008 - 12:05 PM LA Dodgers (49-51) at Colorado (44-58) 3:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers' offense has struggled to maintain consistency at the plate this season - a trend that is hindering their ability to take over first place in the National League West.

The Dodgers attempt to bounce back from a poor offensive performance on Wednesday when they conclude a three-game set with the Colorado Rockies.

Los Angeles, which entered the All-Star break with 390 runs scored, had been held to three runs or less in 46 of its 95 games leading up to the "Midsummer Classic," going 8-38 in those outings.

Those offensive woes appeared to be subsiding somewhat as the Dodgers posted 32 runs in winning three of their first four games out of the break, but their inconsistency returned Tuesday when Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez tossed his first career complete game in a 10-1 Rockies' win.

However, a repeat poor offensive performance appears unlikely if history holds when Colorado's Glendon Rusch (3-3, 5.79 ERA) takes the mound in the series finale.

The journeyman lefthander is 0-5 with a 14.21 ERA in five starts and five relief outings against the Dodgers, although he was much more successful in Friday's 5-2 win over Pittsburgh, allowing two runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Los Angeles will counter with Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.79), who will be aiming to rebound from a rare poor start. The righthander, who has not suffered a loss since June 12, did not receive a decision despite surrendering six runs - five earned - and eight hits over just two frames when the Dodgers rallied for an 8-7 win over Arizona on Friday.