Dan Haren, 10-10 this season entering Friday’s start, took the ball in the opening game against the New York Mets at Dodgers Stadium. Haren gave up a lead-off home run to Curtis Granderson, but settled in with six strikeouts, two hits, and no walks in six innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers won 6-2
Haren struck out the side in the third inning for three of his six strikeouts. Darwin Barney pinch hit for Haren in the seventh. Haren picked up win number 11, holding an ERA of 2.70 in his past four starts consisting of over 23 innings pitched, four walks, and 20 strikeouts.
The recent consistency is a good sign for Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and his squad after they have experienced some inconsistency at the back end of the rotation. With Josh Beckett out for the season and Hyun-Jin Ryu spending time on the DL, a consistent Haren will be much more vital to the Dodgers success. J.P.. Howell pitched out of a jam in the top of eighth to hold the 5-1 lead and help give the Dodgers the eventual 6-2 victory.
Los Angeles tied the game at one in the third inning that was led off with a walk from A.J. Ellis. Erisbel Arruebarrena singled on a line drive to left field before a double play ball from Haren. Dee Gordon singled to left field to drive in Arruebarrena and tie the game. The Dodgers took the lead in the fifth as the hot swinging Justin Turner doubled to center field. Arruebarrena walked and Haren drove him in with a single to give himself the comfort of pitching with the lead. More breathing room was added in the seventh as Gordon wheeled around the bases for his league leading 11th triple of the 2014 season. Yasiel Puig walked, and Adrian Gonzalez reached first on a throwing error that moved Gordon home and Puig to third. Matt Kemp ripped his 28th double to left field to score Puig and Gonzalez, giving the boys in blue a 5-1 lead. Turner walked in the eighth and stole his fifth base of the season before Ellis drove him in with an RBI double for the sixth run of the eventual win. Gordon finished the evening 3-for-5. Turner had two hits and one walk. The Dodgers were 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
The Dodgers win improves the team to 73-57. Dodgers number two ace Zack Greinke will make the start Saturday against the Mets. Greinke was originally scheduled to start on Wednesday but was pushed back after experiencing some elbow discomfort.