Rockies try to avoid eighth straight loss in opener with Dodgers

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Colorado Rockies try to avoid an eighth loss in a row on Friday evening as they kick off a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Rockies certainly needed the day off on Thursday after losing both games of a doubleheader to the Arizona Diamondbacks the previous day. Their offense pounded out 12 hits in the first game, but the D-backs notched a 13-7 win.

Tyler Matzek took the loss Wednesday after giving up four runs on three hits and six walks in just two-plus innings.

"I'm disappointed I let the team down and that we had to go to the bullpen so early, especially in the first game of a doubleheader," said Matzek.

Jordan Lyles was able to give Colorado an extended start in the second game, allowing four runs over seven innings, but the Rockies lost a 5-1 decision as their offense managed only five hits.

"(Lyles) pitched well except for the fifth (inning)," said Rockies manager Walt Weiss, who was ejected in the third for arguing balls and strikes. "We didn't do anything on offense. But we'll take that outing."

Eddie Butler takes aim at his first career victory over the Dodgers when the young right-hander takes the mound tonight.

Butler is 2-2 on the year with a 3.81 earned run average and that includes a 7-0 loss to the Dodgers on April 19 in which he lasted five innings, but allowed just two runs on six hits and one walk. Still, Butler fell to 0-2 with a 7.80 ERA in three career games against Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old is coming off a 14-3 setback at San Diego last Friday as he gave up five runs -- three earned -- on four hits and a pair of walks over four innings.

Brett Anderson will make his sixth start of the campaign tonight for the Dodgers and comes in 1-1 with a 4.21 ERA.

Anderson did not factor into the outcome of a second start in a row on Sunday versus Arizona, though he pitched well enough to keep his club in position for the 1-0 extra-inning win. The lefty hurled six scoreless innings of five-hit ball, striking out four without giving up a walk.

The 27-year-old went 1-3 with a 2.91 ERA in eight starts with the Rockies last season and will face them for the first time in tonight's matchup.

Anderson will hope Los Angeles' offense can stay hot tonight after catcher Yasmani Grandal highlighted a 13-hit attack on Thursday in a 14-4 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Grandal hit a pair of three-run homers and drove in eight runs. He was hitting just .179 on May 1 but is now batting .301 on the season.

"He looks good right now," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

Alex Guerrero added a solo homer for the Dodgers, who have won six of their last eight.

It was plenty of offense for right-hander Carlos Frias, who struck out six in his second start of the season. Frias gave up three runs, six hits and a walk in five innings.

The Dodgers have won six straight and 14 of their last 17 games against the Rockies, including a three-game sweep in Los Angeles from April 17-19.