The Los Angeles Dodgers' Matt Kemp celebrates his second home run of the game as he rounds the bases in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 14-2.
LOS ANGELES – Offense hasn’t been a problem for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Neither has pitching.
The only thing that can sidetrack them at this point is overconfidence as they head out on a nine-game road trip.
Matt Kemp hit a grand slam and a solo homer to help the defending NL West champions beat the Colorado Rockies 14-2 on Sunday for their eighth straight win.
Andre Ethier and Orlando Hudson each drove in three runs for the Dodgers, who have won their first six home games for the first time since the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers started out 8-0 at Ebbets Field in Jackie Robinson’s rookie year.
“I felt pretty good about this club leaving spring training. I just felt we were going to score runs. But to get off to this kind of start is pretty good,” manager Joe Torre said.
“Everybody’s contributing. We’re getting the blowout wins by getting quality at-bats, getting the opposing pitcher to get his pitch count up there quickly, and doing a lot of the little things right – like getting two-out base hits. Two-out RBIs are huge, and I know they’re back breakers for the opponent.”
The Dodgers are 29-9 at Chavez Ravine since last year’s All-Star break, the best record in the majors during that stretch.
They outscored their opponents 50-17 this homestand, recording 77 hits, 11 home runs and 31 walks while batting a collective .367.
Phillies 5, Padres 4: At Philadelphia, Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to give the Phillies the win.
Nationals 7, Marlins 4: At Washington, Cody Ross hit the tying homer in the eighth inning, then hit a three-run double in the ninth to give the Marlins their seventh straight victory.
Reds 4, Astros 2: At Houston, pitcher Micah Owings hit a pinch-hit, two-run double to lead the Reds.
Braves 11, Pirates 1: At Pittsburgh, Martin Prado and David Ross hit three-run homers to support Javier Vazquez’s six shutout innings, and the Braves snapped a five-game losing streak.
Brewers 4, Mets 2: At Milwaukee, Mike Cameron homered against his former team and Todd Coffey escaped a pair of late jams during an eight-out save, helping the Brewers avoid the sweep.
Cardinals at Cubs: The game was called due to rain. It will be made up July 12 as part of a day-night doubleheader.
AL: Lester stops Orioles
BOSTON – Jon Lester pitched seven shutout innings to return to his winning form in Fenway Park, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
It was the fourth straight victory for the Red Sox, who can complete a sweep of the four-game series on Monday in the annual Patriots’ Day game.
Yankees 7, Indians 3: At New York, Jorge Posada hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as the Yankees spoiled former teammate Carl Pavano’s return.
Rangers 6, Royals 5: At Arlington, Texas, Michael Young hit a leadoff homer in the ninth inning to help Texas rally for the victory.
Tigers 8, Mariners 2: At Seattle, Rick Porcello shut down Seattle for seven innings in his second major league start, retiring the final 14 batters, and Ramon Santiago had a career-high five RBIs.
Blue Jays 1, Oakland 0: At Toronto, Ricky Romero pitched seven sharp innings, striking out a career-high six and allowing only four hits for the Blue Jays.
Twins 3, Angels 1: At Minneapolis, Glen Perkins pitched through pain in the seventh and scattered four hits over eight innings, guiding the Twins to a three-game sweep of the sputtering Angels.
White Sox 12, Rays 2: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Gavin Floyd took a shutout into the seventh inning, and Carlos Quentin and Jim Thome hit back-to-back homers to lead the White Sox.