Clayton Kershaw's rust, Shane Victorino's wrist to get tested against Rockies

The Dodgers go for their third straight win on Friday night, facing Jeff Francis and the Colorado Rockies. Clayton Kershaw starts for the Dodgers, looking to improve on his outing on Sunday.

Against the Reds, Kershaw allowed just one run in five innings, but he also walked five and threw 92 pitches. Manager Don Mattingly chalked the wildness up to rust, and not that Kershaw was compensating in his delivery for his right hip impingement.

"If he was compensating, we wouldn't have him out there. I know he was frustrated walking some guys, but he was out [11] days. I think it's just rust. It was typical Kershaw; he expected to be perfect in Cincinnati with [11] days off," Mattingly said. "I think he'll be a little sharper tonight."

Kershaw has made just one start against the Rockies this season, as he allowed three home runs and five runs in a no-decision at Coors Field on May 2.

The Dodgers' lineup looks a little different, in that Luis Cruz is batting second against the lefty Francis. Cruz has batted second three other times this season; twice in July and once on Aug. 25, the first game after the trade with the Red Sox and when Shane Victorino was scratched.

Victorino wasn't scratched tonight, but he is batting seventh. Victorino is still having some trouble swinging right-handed with his right wrist injury, but is hitting .301/.371/.481 against southpaws this season. He hasn't yet faced a left-handed pitcher since injuring the wrist on Sept. 20 in Washington D.C. against the Nationals.

"It's still a little bit uncertain as to how he will react," said Mattingly. "Batting right-handed was the last to respond. I'd hate to have him up there in the two hole, and then have to take him out. It's just a little safer with him back in the back."

Several Dodgers players were wearing shirseys with "Cruuuuuz" and the number 47, which are now for sale at Dodger Stadium, in the clubhouse before the game.

Here are the lineups:

Rockies (62-94)

Rutledge SS
Colvin CF
Pacheco 1B
Rosario C
Nelson 3B
McBride RF
Brown LF
LeMahieu 2B
Francis P

Dodgers (81-75)

Ellis 2B
Cruz 3B
Kemp CF
Gonzalez 1B
Ramirez SS
Ethier RF
Victorino LF
Ellis C
Kershaw P

Game Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

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