A big seventh inning, capped by a three-run home run by Joey Votto, broke the tie and gave the Reds a 6-4 win over the Dodgers Monday night in the opener of a three-game set at Dodger Stadium. It was the fifth straight loss for Kuroda, who was done in by a pair of errors to begin the top of the seventh inning. Rookie Dee Gordon, making his first ever start at Dodger Stadium, figured prominently in several facets of tonight's game.
Gordon made two dazzling defensive plays in the third inning, robbing Brandon Phillips of a hit up the middle, then robbing Joey Votto on a ball that caromed off Kuroda. However, Gordon also made his first major league error on a ground ball to lead off the fateful seventh inning. At the plate, Gordon hit an RBI triple in the eighth inning, which snapped an 0-for-9 skid and was also the first extra-base hit and first RBI of his career.
Bronson Arroyo pitched 7 2/3 innings for the win, allowing four runs. It was the second victory for Arroyo over the Dodgers in 11 days. Kuroda allowed four runs (two earned) in his 6 1/3 innings for the loss. It was the fifth straight loss for Kuroda; the last Dodger pitcher to lose five straight starts was Brad Penny in 2008.
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