Furcal leads Dodgers over Reds 14-6

[April 22, 2010]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Rafael Furcal drove in four runs with a single, double and triple to highlight another big performance by the majors' best-hitting lineup Wednesday night, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 14-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Hiroki Kuroda (2-0) gave up a pair of homers and had an overturned call go against him, but got a win that moved the Dodgers back to .500 for the fourth time this season. They have yet to go over the mark.

The Reds have lost six of seven, with their rotation still lacking a victory. Top starter Aaron Harang (0-3) had another rough time, giving up 10 hits in only 5 2-3 innings.

The Dodgers came into the game with a .302 batting average that led the majors and five players hitting .320 or better. They got hits from top to bottom, piling up 18 overall and scoring in all but one inning while reaching a season high in runs.

Andre Ethier had a solo homer among his three hits, and Matt Kemp extended his hitting streak to 10 games with his seventh homer of the season. James Loney broke the game open with a bases-loaded single that made it 9-4 in the sixth inning.

It added up to another emphatic LA win in the lopsided series. The Dodgers are 23-5 against the Reds since 2006, their best mark against any team in that span, according to STATS LLC.

The most discouraging aspect for Cincinnati: Harang got knocked around again. The Reds' ace is 12-34 over his last three seasons. He gave up seven runs, raising his earned run average to 8.31. Manny Ramirez, who missed two games over the weekend because of a tight right calf, had three of the 10 hits off Harang, including a pair of RBI singles.

Kuroda gave up a two-run homer by Joey Votto and a solo shot by Scott Rolen in the first inning. The right-hander allowed seven hits and six runs -- three earned -- in 5 2-3 innings.

The Reds tied it with the help of an overturned call in the fourth, when Harang batted with the bases loaded and two outs. He hit a sinking liner to right, where Ethier appeared to short-hop the ball while trying for a diving catch. First base umpire Tim McClelland -- the crew chief -- signaled out, and Reds manager Dusty Baker argued.

The crew huddled and reversed the call, giving Harang a single and the Reds a run that tied it at 4. Chris Dickerson struck out to end the inning.

Ramirez broke the tie with a run-scoring single in the fifth, and the Dodgers were on their way. Ramirez went 3 for 4 with a walk, raising his average to .421.

NOTES: The Dodgers activated RH reliever Ronald Belisario off the restricted list. Belisario didn't arrive at spring training until late March because of visa problems. He pitched a perfect inning. ... RH Jeff Weaver relieved in the eighth, retired the only batter he faced, then bent over and stretched. He left the game. ... Dodgers LHP Hong-Chih Kuo (sore elbow) will likely be activated from the DL later in the week. ... Dickerson started in CF in place of struggling Drew Stubbs, hitless in his last 19 at-bats.

[Associated Press; By JOE KAY]

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