Arizona @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 14, 2010 ) Arizona 9, LA Dodgers 7
Dan Haren’s role as ace of the Arizona Diamondbacks has taken on significantly more importance this season given the uncertainty surrounding fellow starter Brandon Webb.
Webb, who underwent shoulder surgery in August, has been slow in his recovery and there is no timetable for the 2006 National League Cy Young winner’s return.
In the meantime, the success of the Diamondbacks seems to hinge on the success of Haren. Thus far, the right-hander has been so-so as the team’s top dog.
Haren dropped to 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA on the season after allowing six runs on nine hits over six-plus innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. In a positive sign, he did record nine strikeouts.
Haren and the Diamondbacks will look to avoid the three-game sweep when they battle the Los Angeles Dodgers in the rubber match on Thursday.
In four starts against Los Angeles last season, Haren went 0-1 with a 2.22 ERA.
He will be countered by Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, who was the team’s Opening day starter a season ago, and now occupies the No. 4 spot in the rotation.
Kuroda was sharp in his first start of 2010, surrendering one unearned run over eight innings, while striking out seven batters and walking one in the win.
Kuroda is hoping for better health after dealing with injuries last season. The third-year pro is 1-3 with a 3.90 ERA in six career starts against Arizona.
The two teams are coming off a marathon affair at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night in a game that lasted over five hours and featured 16 pitchers.
The Diamondbacks finally ended it with a pair of RBIs from Chris Young and Augie Ojeda coming off Russ Ortiz for the 9-7 victory.
The Dodgers had rallied to even the score in the bottom of the ninth on Casey Blake’s double that came within feet of clearing the outfield wall. Matt Kemp homered and drove in three runs and Manny Ramirez went 3-for-3 with two RBIs in the loss.
The Diamondbacks were paced by Justin Upton and Stephen Drew, who each homered, and Adam LaRoche, who had two hits and drove in a pair of runs.
Thursday is Jackie Robinson Day all around the majors, commemorating the former Dodger great. Every team’s players will wear Robinson’s No. 42 on the back of their jersey.