Posted: Tuesday, 28 August 2012 4:48AM

Beckett suffers rocky debut in Colorado



(Reuters) - The Colorado Rockies dealt Josh Beckett a crushing blow on his Dodgers debut on Monday as the home offense exploded into life late in the game to seal a 10-0 win over Los Angeles.

In his first start since being traded from the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster deal last week, Beckett allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings before the Rockies battered the Los Angeles bullpen with a seven-run salvo in the eighth.

Tyler Colvin hit a two-run triple and Wilin Rosario added a two-run home run later in the decisive inning to erase any lingering hopes the Dodgers (69-60) had of mounting a fightback.

Colorado starter Jeff Francis allowed three hits in five innings to pick up the win and his relievers surrendered just one additional hit to complete a dominating performance for the Rockies (52-75).

"That's a tough (lineup)," Francis told reporters. "I knew going into the game I'd have to be a little sharper. I was able to make a few pitches here and there that got some ground ball outs."

Despite sitting bottom of the National League West division, Colorado has enjoyed a strong recent run of form, winning seven of their last nine games.

Los Angeles has lost two straight to fall 2 1/2 games behind leaders San Francisco in the same division.

Beckett, a former World Series MVP and three-time All-Star, arrived alongside sluggers Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to give the Dodgers a push for a post-season berth.

However, the 32-year-old has endured a difficult season in compiling a 5-11 record with a 5.23 ERA for the Red Sox prior to the trade and his bad luck appeared to travel west with him.

In his first start for the Dodgers, he allowed seven hits, three walks and struck out six but received little in the way of offensive support.

"He kept us in the game," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "We've got to help him. He's not going to win if we don't score."

Story & Photos Copyright 2012 Reuters

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