Matt Kemp ends slump with go-ahead triple, giving Dodgers 6-5 win over Rockies

Dodgers beat Rockies 6-5 on Kemp’s go-ahead triple

LOS ANGELES — Matt Kemp tripled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, ending a 14-game RBI drought and lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.

It was Kemp’s first RBI since a two-run home run at Cincinnati on April 21, when he scored a career high-tying four runs. A week later, general manager Ned Colletti criticized him for sub-par play. He was 7 for 26 on the homestand coming into the last-place Dodgers’ first game against a NL West rival since April 18.

Jeff Weaver (1-1) pitched one-third of an inning with a walk to earn the victory hours after being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after missing 14 games with a low back strain.

Jonathan Broxton put the tying run on with a leadoff single to Carlos Gonzalez in the ninth. Gonzalez was thrown out trying to steal second, then Broxton struck out Ian Stewart and pinch- hitter Jason Giambi to earn his second save in four chances.

Jamey Carroll greeted Matt Daley (0-1) with a leadoff double in the sixth and was sacrificed to third by pinch-hitter Reed Johnson. Kemp’s fly ball fell between center fielder Dexter Fowler and right fielder Gonzalez and went past them for his first triple of the season.

The teams matched each other’s scoring through six innings, with Colorado twice taking the lead and the Dodgers rallying three times to take it back and earn their second straight win.

Gonzalez drove in two runs for the Rockies with a single in the fourth and a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the fifth that gave them a 3-2 lead.

The Dodgers scored three runs in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. Andre Ethier had a RBI double. Casey Blake and Russell Martin followed with two-out RBI singles. Blake’s hit went off the glove of second baseman Clint Barmes and into center field. Martin’s hit went by the glove of a diving Barmes.

The Rockies tied the game 5-all in the sixth. Pinch-hitter Eric Young Jr. had his first major league triple and scored on Seth Smith’s single that chased Hiroki Kuroda. Todd Helton’s sacrifice fly brought in the other run off George Sherrill.

Kuroda gave up nine hits and five runs in 5 1-3 innings, struck out three and walked a career-high five.

Colorado starter Esmil Rogers allowed five runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings, walked two and struck out five.

The Dodgers’ James Loney went 0 for 4 on his 26th birthday, ending his streak of driving in a run in six consecutive games.

NOTES: Before the game, the Dodgers optioned RHP John Ely to Triple-A Albuquerque a night after he allowed one earned run in 6 2-3 innings. … Rockies closer Huston Street (right shoulder tightness) threw a seven-pitch inning in an extended spring training game Friday and threw 13 more pitches in the bullpen afterward. He’ll throw a bullpen for the club on Monday, and the team will decide on a rehab assignment. … Rockies LHP Jeff Francis threw 74 pitches in an injury rehab start at Double-A Tulsa on Thursday night. He gave up two runs on five hits, with three strikeouts and two walks in 4 2-3 innings. Francis will start again Tuesday for Tulsa.