Anderson, Rockies top Dodgers to open doubleheader

DENVER -- Tyler Anderson pitched efficiently into the seventh inning, Nolan Arenado kept up his torrid August with another RBI and the Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-0 in the opener of a doubleheader Wednesday.

Anderson (5-5), with his deceiving motion, allowed six hits in 6 1/3 innings against the NL West leaders. He also helped his own cause with an RBI single in the second in the team's first shutout at home this season.

Arenado had a run-scoring double in the first, giving him 34 RBI this month. It's the most for August in Rockies history, passing the mark of 33 set by Andres Galarraga in 1996.

Ross Stripling (3-6) surrendered three runs over six innings.

The doubleheader was necessitated by a rainout Tuesday. Anderson actually tossed a few warmup pitches before the first inning and then a relentless downpour blanketed the area, leading to a postponement after a delay of 2 hours, 32 minutes.

Colorado has taken the first two games in the series from the Dodgers. This is the fifth series the Rockies have captured from a first-place team in August. They're the only team in the majors with a positive run differential (plus-26) and a losing mark (64-68).

Pinch hitter Stephen Cardullo hit his first career homer in the seventh -- on his birthday, no less. The 29-year-old Cardullo spent the last few seasons playing for an independent team in New York before signing a minor league contract with Colorado in January. He joined the Rockies last week after hitting .308 with 17 homers for Triple-A Albuquerque.

Anderson's quirky delivery gave the Dodgers fits all afternoon. He briefly pauses before throwing to the plate.

The 2011 first-round pick wiggled his way out of a sticky situation in the sixth when the lefty had runners on first and third and one out. He struck out Adrian Gonzalez -- the top daytime hitter in the majors this season -- and then fanned Rob Segedin with a changeup.

Anderson trotted back out for the seventh, and left to an ovation with one out and two on. Chris Rusin bailed him out by striking out pinch hitter Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (mild disk irritation) had a successful outing in a simulated game Tuesday and now is in a momentary holding pattern. "We haven't made the decision as far as what his next progression will be," manager Dave Roberts said. ... LHP Scott Kazmir (neck stiffness) will be slotted into the rotation when he's eligible to come off the DL on Sept. 7.

Rockies: 1B Mark Reynolds (broken bone in left hand) was activated off the 15-day disabled list and entered as a defensive replacement in the seventh. To make room, INF Daniel Descalso was put on the paternity list. ... RHP Tyler Chatwood (back strain) will start Saturday.

EXPANDED ROSTERS

Roberts gave an early glimpse of his plans for September call-ups. The Dodgers will add catcher Austin Barnes, righty Louis Coleman, lefty Luis Avilan and righty Josh Ravin. Missing from that list is outfield Yasiel Puig, who was demoted to the minors in early August.

"With Yasiel, that's still a possibility, but we're trying to figure out what's best for him and what's best for us," Roberts said.

UP NEXT

Dodgers lefty Rich Hill (10-3) was scheduled to take the mound for Game 2, while Colorado goes with righty Jeff Hoffman (0-2).