| Joe Gutierrez. 22nd April, 2006 - 5:30 am
 The Dodgers opened up a three game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a good note, as starter Odalis Perez was able to go six innings, allowing one run. Led by Perez who won his third game of the season, Los Angeles defeated the D-Backs 6-3.
CF Kenny Lofton reached base on a single in the first, though he would later score on a single by 2B Jeff Kent, giving LA the early lead. In the following inning the Diamondbacks tied the game when 2B Orlando Hudson grounded out, but not before scoring former Dodger RF Shawn Green.
The Dodgers broke the tie in the fourth on a double to right field by 1B James Loney, which scored 3B Bill Mueller. The one-run lead lasted until the sixth inning as RF J.D. Drew took starter Orlando Hernandez deep to right for a solo shot, and his second homer of the year.
Hernandez pitched well against Los Angeles tonight even though he was given the loss. In his first ever start against the Dodgrs, Hernandez faced a starting lineup consisting of all left-handed batters except Kent, and allowed three runs through six innings.
The seventh inning for Arizona saw CF Eric Byrnes single and score Hudson to cut the lead to one. In the same inning, the Dodgers put the nail on the coffin as the speedy Lofton and SS Rafael Furcal reached on base as Drew looked on. Drew continued his great offensive night when he singled up the middle, easily scoring both runners.
Final Score: Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 3
Game Notes: Nomar Garciaparra went 2-3 in his rehab assignment, hitting a double and a single. He hopes to re-join the Dodger roster by this weekend.
Coming Up
Game two features the Dodgers’ Jae Seo taking on the Arizona’s Miguel Batista
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