Dodgers Foil Rockies With Dogged Defense

The catcher’s leg collapses. Home plate disappears. The runner collides with the shin guard, or he detours far around it, but he does not score. The catcher has blocked the plate.

Mike Scioscia did it so well for so long around here, without peer. But, barely two weeks into his major league career, Russell Martin may be turning into a worthy heir.

On Monday, for the first time in major league history, Korean pitchers opposed each other. But, with South Koreans tuned in to watch onetime high school teammates Jae Seo and Byung-Hyun Kim at Dodger Stadium, the Canadian catcher stole the show in the Dodgers’ 6-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Martin prevented two runs from scoring by blocking the plate twice, highlights on a stellar defensive evening for the Dodgers. Shortstop Rafael Furcal dazzled as well, as the Dodgers won their fifth consecutive game and closed within half a game of first place in the National League West.

J.D. Drew drove in two runs, threw a one-hop bullet to Martin on one of the blocks and contributed a nice running catch in right field. Jeff Kent drove in a run with the 482nd double of his career, tying Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson for 60th on the all-time list.

Martin downplayed his contribution, calling his blocks “just a reflex” and crediting his teammates for fine throws to the plate. But the Dodgers, already wowed by the converted third baseman’s ability to call a game, throw out runners and block wayward pitches, were delighted at his skill in blocking the plate.

“Scioscia was the best,” former teammate and current Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said.

But Honeycutt said he is plenty impressed with Martin, whose proficiency in planting his foot one way, looking another way for the ball and take a licking adds another dimension to his outstanding defensive package.

“Fundamentally, he’s as good as you’re going to see,” Manager Grady Little said.

Seo worked seven innings for the win, giving up one run -- unearned -- and six hits. Kim took the loss, giving up three runs -- one earned -- on six hits in six innings.

Seo staggered through the early innings, with the Rockies scoring once in the first inning and six of seven Colorado batters reaching base during a span in the second and third. But the Rockies did not score again, stifled not by Seo but by the Dodgers’ defense.

The Rockies had Cory Sullivan on first base and one out in the second when Danny Ardoin doubled, over the head of Andre Ethier and off the left-field wall. But two strong relays -- one from Ethier, then from Furcal -- and a terrific block of home plate kept Sullivan from scoring.

Luis Gonzalez led off the Colorado third with a double, and Garrett Atkins singled to right. As Gonzalez rounded third, Drew unleashed a terrific one-hop throw. Martin again blocked the plate, forcing Gonzalez wide and then tagging him out.

“As you saw the plays, as he blocked home plate, that really gave me a lift,” Seo said.

Seo immediately made another mess for himself, walking Todd Helton and hitting Matt Holliday to load the bases, but his defense came to the rescue again. Brad Hawpe roped a sharp ground ball between Seo’s legs toward center field, a potential two-run single.

But Furcal ranged beyond second base to intercept the ball and flipped it to second baseman Kent, starting an inning-ending double play. Seo pitched another four innings and gave up one hit -- an infield single, with the runner erased when Furcal started a double play.