First and 10 Is Big Rush for Dodgers

CINCINNATI —  It was a get-well card and flowers, herbal and traditional medicine, chicken soup and plenty of fluids. The Cincinnati Reds were everything the Dodgers needed to remedy lingering slump-like symptoms.

Quickly, effectively and without drowsiness.

The Dodgers scored 10 runs in the first inning -- seven before an out was recorded -- and breezed to a 13-6 victory Friday night before an announced crowd of 29,409 at Great American Ball Park.

Benefiting from the early cushion was Brad Penny (2-0), who pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up only a triple with one out in the sixth.

“It’s nice getting that support,” Penny said. “I’d like to have it every time.”

Actually, this was once-every-28-years support. The Dodgers tied a Los Angeles franchise record for runs in an inning last achieved in 1977. Most of the merry-go-round came against right-hander Paul Wilson, who did not retire any of the eight batters he faced.

Cesar Izturis was hit by a pitch, then Hee-Seop Choi hit a home run. J.D. Drew singled, then Jeff Kent hit a home run. Milton Bradley walked, Olmedo Saenz was hit and Ricky Ledee and Jason Phillips hit doubles.

Wilson gave way to the first of six relievers. Penny bunted to advance Phillips, and the Reds might have received the largest ovation ever for recording an out on a sacrifice.

The Dodgers weren’t done, though. Choi and Drew walked with two out and Kent tied a franchise record for RBIs in an inning when he cleared the bases with a double.

Who would have expected it after the sickly production of barely more than three runs a game during a seesaw homestand that ended Wednesday?

“It was great to see us break out like that, especially with us just going on the road,” Izturis said.

Penny (2-0) nearly outdid the offense, lowering his earned-run average to 2.00 in his third start since being activated from the disabled list. Ryan Freel ended the no-hit bit with a line drive to right field. Rookie Jason Repko, who had just replaced Drew as the right fielder, made a valiant attempt at a diving catch he had no chance of making and played the ball into a triple.

After the inning, Penny put his arm around Repko as they approached the dugout and told him he appreciated the effort.

The Dodgers scored two more in the fourth, helped by Kent’s second double, and Choi put on the finishing touch with his second home run of the game and fifth of the season.

Rookie D.J. Houlton had problems in relief of Penny, giving up six runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings, but this was one night when it made no difference. By the time Houlton entered the game in the eighth, Kent was watching from the bench for the first time all season, and Drew, Izturis and Bradley also had turned in their time cards early.

The Dodgers finished with an infield that included Norihiro Nakamura at second base, rookie Mike Edwards at shortstop and Saenz at third. With an afternoon game today, the laugher was welcome.

“Any time you can get the regulars out of there before a day game is good, especially with our crazy travel schedule,” Bradley said.

The Dodgers arrived at 8 a.m. Thursday after flying all night. Most players slept through the off-day, but clearly they were refreshed by the first pitch Friday. The advantage could spill into the rest of the series.

“We got to see their entire bullpen in one night,” Drew said. “In the course of a long season, this was one of those rare nights when everything went perfectly.”

Rare but not unprecedented. The record for runs in a first inning was set by the Dodgers against the Reds -- a 15-run barrage May 21, 1952, at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

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Great start

Breaking down the Dodgers’ 10-run first inning:

*--* * Cesar Izturis was hit by a pitch from Cincinnati starter Paul Wilson. * Hee-Seop Choi homered to right on a 3-1 count. Dodgers 2, Reds 0 * J.D. Drew singled to center. * Jeff Kent homered to left on a full count. Dodgers 4, Reds 0 * Milton Bradley walked on five pitches. * Olmedo Saenz was hit by a pitch. * Rickey Ledee doubled to center, driving in Bradley and Saenz. Dodgers 6, Reds 0 * Jason Phillips doubled to right, driving in Ledee. Dodgers 7, Reds 0 * Brad Penny hit a sacrifice bunt off relief pitcher Matt Belisle, sending Phillips to third. * Izturis grounded out to second base. * Choi walked on a full count. * Drew walked to load the bases. * Kent doubled to center, clearing the bases, and went to third on Ken Griffey Jr.’s error. Dodgers 10, Reds 0 * Bradley struck out to end the inning.

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