Dodgers get the kind of offense they'd hoped for, hit four home runs in 9-7 victory

And now we return you to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when the Dodgers could actually score.

That had been the game plan before the season began. The rotation was viewed on the shaky side, but the Dodgers were designed to be an offensive club.

Only in the second half, the offense dried up like a grape too long on the vine. And it was a true team effort.

Tuesday night, however, there was a glimpse of what used to be, the Dodgers exploding for five runs in the third inning on the way to a 9-7 victory over the Rockies.

The Dodgers had not scored five runs in a single inning in a month, the last time also coming against the Rockies on Aug. 27.

There were home runs and triples. A double and a stolen base. There were balls being driven all over Coors Field. Fourteen hits total and their most runs in 34 games.

Their entire offense has been in a deep decline. Before the All-Star break, the Dodgers averaged 4.8 runs a game. Entering Tuesday’s game, they were averaging 3.1 runs after the break.

But they hit four home runs Tuesday -- their first three-run homer game since Aug. 21 -- with two coming in that five-run third.

The Rockies were leading 1-0 on a Carlos Gonzalez RBI single in the first off Hiroki Kuroda, when the Dodgers broke through against Colorado’s Jeff Francis.

Francis, who looks like his shoulder is still sore, got into trouble in the third when he gave up a leadoff single to Kuroda. That would be Kuorda’s second hit of the season in 55 at-bats.

Rafael Furcal hit the first of his two triples to score Kuroda. Furcal  scored on a Melvin Mora throwing error. Matt Kemp hit his 24th home run for two more. And then Casey Blake followed with the first of his two home runs.

James Loney hit a solo shot in the seventh, his 10th, to put the Dodgers up 6-2.

The Rockies tied it at 6-6, but these Dodgers were an offensive machine. A.J. Ellis doubled and Furcal followed with his second triple. Andre Ethier’s fly was deep enough to sacrifice Furcal home.

When the Rockies pulled back within one in the bottom of the inning, Blake responded with his second solo home run. He now has 17 home runs on the season.

They had runs in reserve, just the way they had planned back in April.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda went 6 1/3 innings against Colorado on Tuesday night, giving up five runs and six hits while striking out six and walking one. Credit: Rob Hammer / US Presswire

Comments

[alanw19]

To quote the sage S'58, wins are refreshing.

9 runs, 14 hits - I like it, wish it'd been here all year.

But 10 K against the likes of Francis, Rogers, Dotel (o), Reynolds and Street?

Arson Squad - 2 1/3, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR. (7.73 ERA if you're scoring at home)

Beat the Rockies!

[Since '58]

I am at a loss for words, thanks to alanw19; but I appreciate the compliment. I have nothing sagacious to add.

[OldBrooklynFan]

It was splendid to see some power and runs from dem Bums. Quite rare, these days. Didn't face too many guys like Jeff Francis this season.