LOS ANGELES — Dodger Stadium does different well.
Things happen here that don’t happen anywhere else. So it was Thursday that rapper Snoop Dogg threw out the first pitch to an approving crowd. Snoop has Dodger connections, having once been a neighbor of former manager Jim Tracy. Hard to imagine those two sipping gin and juice at a block party, but again, in this place, in this city, anything is possible.
Except, apparently, the Rockies’ second-ever perfect two- city road trip. With apologies to Snoop, L.A. dropped Colorado like it was hot in a 3-1 win.
Still, the Rockies went 5-1 against the Nationals and Dodgers, progress that hints at a deeper meaning, specifically playoff contention next season.
For the Rockies to get back into the postseason — for the record, the players are still clinging to hope this year — they must solidify their rotation and avoid protracted hitting slumps in the clutch.
That Jorge De La Rosa was on the mound Thursday was as much about the future as the present. He’s auditioning, trying to show that he’s a worthy rotation candidate next spring. Given Jason Hirsh’s health, Franklin Morales’ command issues and Greg Reynolds’ rude introduction to the big leagues, the Rockies must explore all options.
De La Rosa’s second start in his third shot in the rotation went well. He allowed just one earned run in six innings. Slowly maturing, particularly when it comes to his composure with runners on base, De La Rosa demonstrated the type of fastball command that makes the idea of him joining Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez and Jeff Francis as a starter seem plausible.
“I would like to be here with this team, but I know I have to do my job,” he said. “I am throwing more quality strikes on the inside part of the plate.”
De La Rosa has had a yo-yo existence with the Rockies. He has six wins. But he has exhausted the bullpen in his seven losses while compiling a 12.21 ERA.
Dr. Jekyll, meet Mr. Hyde.
“You have a left-hander with age on his side and an arm that can be dynamic at times,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We want to make sure we don’t give up on him too quickly.”
De La Rosa made a few mistakes Thursday. He forgot about Manny Ramirez, allowing the slugger to steal a base and score on a single. And he allowed a go-ahead hit to Andre Ethier. Still, he wore the loss because the Rockies had no answer for Derek Lowe — 6 1/3 innings, four hits — and the Dodgers’ redeemed bullpen.
Viewed through a broader lens, this trip remained encouraging as the team returns home for a layover weekend series against the Reds. The starters, who spent last week getting bludgeoned at Coors Field, went 4-1 with a 4.76 ERA, and the bullpen has allowed just one run in its past 19 innings.
“That last homestand was as bad as we have played in a long time. We are playing better,” outfielder Matt Holliday said. “We need to keep it going. Nobody on this team is going to throw in the towel or give up.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
TODAY: Reds at Rockies, 7 p.m., FSN
Livan Hernandez (11-9, 6.07 ERA), take two, at Coors Field. In his home debut for the Rockies, Hernandez could not have been much worse, recording eight outs while allowing nine runs. The burly right- hander looked more comfortable in a win over the Nationals last weekend, though it was grimy (six runs in six innings). Hernandez hasn’t beaten the Reds since 2000, going 1-5 during that span. Aaron Harang (3-13, 5.59), a Cy Young candidate last season, has hit the skids because of injuries and ineffectiveness. He owns a 19.64 ERA since the all-star break, with opponents batting .444 against him. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Saturday:
Reds’ Edinson Volquez (15-5, 2.73) vs. Rockies’ Aaron Cook (15-8, 3.86), 6:05 p.m., FSN
Sunday:
Reds’ Johnny Cueto (8-12, 4.74) vs. Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (9-11, 3.99), 1:05 p.m., KTVD-Ch. 20
Monday:
Rockies’ Jeff Francis (3-8, 5.52) vs. Giants’ Matt Cain (8-9, 3.52), 8:15 p.m., FSN
Tuesday:
Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (6-7, 5.86) vs. Giants’ Matt Palmer (0-1, 8.64), 8:15 p.m., FSN
