The Rafu Shimpo - L.A. Japanese Daily News

Dressed for the Ball
By ALEX HERBACH
RAFU STAFF WRITER
Saturday, April 14, 2007

After the revelry and ceremonies, Opening Day turns rocky for the Dodgers, who lose, 6-3, to Colorado.

Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo
Country music performer Taylor Swift, 17, sings the national anthem on opening day at Dodger Stadium on Monday. Former Dodger second baseman Steve Sax threw out the ceremonial pitch as the Dodgers opened against the Colorado Rockies.

1-year-old Ian Green of Los Angeles sinks his teeth into the season’s first Dodger Dog.

Rockies second baseman Kaz Matsui lives it up with teammate Willy Taveras, during player introductions.

On a balmy spring day at Chavez Ravine, baseball is finally in the air. There is a pre-game concert in center field. The U.S. Navy parachute team drops in before the two renditions of the Star Spangled Banner while an outfield-sized flag waves without wind.

All of this revelry can mean only one thing: it’s Opening Day at Dodger
Stadium. Though the Dodgers lost Monday’s game 6-3 to the visiting Colorado Rockies, fans seemed to be happy just to be back at the ballpark.

“This is cool,” said fan Sergio Grajales, relaxing on a foldout chair in the bed of his truck. “It’s fun to come hang out at the stadium.”

The Opening Day starter for the Dodgers was newly-acquired Jason Schmidt, the former ace of the rival San Francisco Giants. Schmidt ran into some trouble in the first inning, giving up a solo home run to Garrett Atkins and a single a few pitches later to Matt Holiday. But he got out of the early jam by striking out Brad Hawpe.

In the third inning, Schmidt would help himself out, tying the score with a solo home run leading off the third inning. Rockies’ starter Jeff Francis (1-0), who pitched very well in his second outing of the year, was still lamenting the pitch after the game.

“I’m just trying to shake it off,” said Francis. “Obviously it was a mistake and [Schmidt] did a good job hitting it. Hopefully it’s a long time until it happens again.”

In the fourth inning, the Rockies offense picked Francis up by adding a pair of runs. Hawpe hit a one-out double off the wall in right and Jeff Baker knocked him in with a triple. On the play, Matt Kemp crashed into the wall in right field trying to chase down Baker’s blast and had to be removed from the game with a shoulder injury. Baker would later score to bring the Rockies’ lead to 3-1.

The Dodgers answered in their half of the inning when Ramon Martinez doubled in Wilson Valdez to bring them back to within one.

But the momentum would freeze in the fifth after another key Dodger went down with an injury. Schmidt got Kazuo Matsui to ground out to first base, but Nomar Garciaparra bobbled the ball and allowed Matsui to take the base on an error. During the play, Schmidt injured his hamstring while covering first base and had to come out of the game.

Left-hander Mark Hendrickson came in to relieve Schmidt. On his first pitch, Matsui stole second and Dodger catcher Russell Martin threw the ball into center field, allowing Matsui to take third. He would later score on Atkins’ sacrifice fly, putting the lead back to two runs.

Matsui, back with the Rockies after being courted by several Japanese teams during the off season to return to there, had a rough day, going 0-for-4 at the plate. He remains steadfast that he’s in the U.S. major leagues to stay.

“I was glad many Japanese teams wanted me,” said Matsui through a translator. “But I’ve wanted to play in the U.S. ever since I was given the chance.”

The injury to Schmidt is deflating for a team starting a new season. But with the depth of the Dodger’s pitching staff, it may not be debilitating.
Hendrickson pitched well in relief, striking out four without allowing a run in his two innings of work. But as well as Hendrickson and Schmidt were pitching early on, Rockies’ starter Jeff Francis pitched even better.

Francis left in the seventh inning after allowing a two-out double to Juan
Pierre. Francis allowed two earned runs on five hits with three walks and six punch outs. His final line was encouraging for a team that needs good starting pitching to compete in the division.

Ramon Ramirez came in to relieve Francis in the seventh and struck out Russell Martin, leaving Pierre stranded at second.

The Rockies bullpen pitched well, allowing only one run to secure Francis’ first win of the season. Manager Clint Hurdle was impressed with his team’s pitching and has stressed that a post-season run rests in his pitcher’s hands.

On paper, the Dodgers feel their bullpen can give them the edge in a game. But judging from their performance Monday, they may want to share notes with the Rockies.

Colorado would add a run in the eighth inning and a run in the ninth. So the Dodgers faced a four-run deficit before their last at-bats in the ninth inning. But at least they made it interesting.

It was a tough start to the Dodgers first homestand. They lost a position player and a front-of-the-rotation starter to injuries, had a couple of costly errors in the field, and lost the first game of the 2007 campaign. But there are 155 games left to play and there is plenty to remain optimistic about.

“We should win the West this year,” ssaid Grajales after the game. “It’s Opening Day; hope springs eternal. Anyone can win.”

More Sports Stories...