Rockies at Dodgers, September 28, 2012: Game Time, Lineups, And Preview

Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers, 8.10 P.M. MT

The Rockies (62-94) look to continue their hot streak on the road when they face the Dodgers (81-75) at Chavez Ravine. After losing 9 consecutive games, the Rockies have won their last 4 games and another win tonight would match their season-high of 5 game winning streaks, which they have done twice so far this season. Headed to the mound tonight for the Rockies is Jeff Francis (5-6, 5.54 ERA). In his last start last Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he went 4 innings with 2 ER but didn’t factor in the decision in the 10-7 loss. In his last start against the Dodgers on August 27 at Coors Field, he went 5 innings with 3 hits and 6 strikeout’s and earned the win in the 10-0 Rockies victory. Over his last 5 starts, Francis is 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA.

Jeff Francis hopes to lead the Rockies to their 5th straight win tonight which would match a season high. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

He will face the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw (12-9, 2.68 ERA). Kershaw has been battling a hip injury that has restricted him to just 3 games this month. In those 3 starts he has gone 0-1 with a 0.95 ERA, but only has received 1.89 runs in support. In his last start against the Rockies back on May 2 at Coors Field, he went 7 1/3 innings with 5 ER and 3 HR in a 8-5 defeat. However at Chavez Ravine he has owned the Rockies, where in his last 6 starts there against them he has gone 3-0 with a miserly 1.47 ERA.

Jordan Pacheco will look to continue his hot hitting, in yesterday’s game against the Chicago Cubs he had 2 hits including a HR and 3 RBIs. Over his last 10 games he is averaging .390, however at the Dodgers home field he has not performed nearly as well, where he is just 3 out of his last 17 at-bats. In the last 2 games the Dodgers have scored 8 runs and 14 hits, and they have been led by Matt Kemp (6 hits, 3 doubles, 1 HR and 5 RBIs) and Luis Cruz (.389 average in his last 9 games).

A loss tonight by the Rockies would match their franchise record for losses in a season (95) set in their inaugural season in 1993 and equaled in 2005.

Rockies Lineup:

Josh Rutledge SS

Tyler Colvin CF

Jordan Pacheco 1B

Wilin Rosario C

Chris Nelson 3B

Matt McBride RF

Andrew Brown LF

DJ LeMahieu 2B

Jeff Francis P

Dodgers Lineup:

Mark Ellis 2B