Dodgers are able to hold off the Rockies

Frankie Avalon threw out the first pitch Friday at Dodger Stadium, it being ‘60s night and all. He had quite a few hits in his day.

Just as well, the Dodgers had plenty of hits Friday. Problem was, so did the Rockies in this season’s first upped-ante matchup after the Dodgers barely held them off for the National League West title last season.

Naturally, it came down to who could stop who, meaning pitching, meaning the Dodgers seemed destined for another loss.

But Jonathan Broxton, who the night before gave up two runs in the ninth inning only to be saved by Andre Ethier’s walk-off grand slam, shook off the rust and got his second save of the season in a 6-5 Dodgers win.

Getting to Broxton was a chore. Hiroki Kiroda, making his sixth start, was considered the Dodgers’ only steady starter, their only tame arm in a rotation of tumult. But, he wasn’t.

He carried a 5-3 lead into the sixth inning, courtesy of three runs scored on four hits in the fifth inning, but was pulled after his own throwing error allowed a baserunner and batter to advance to second and third and a run to score.

He threw 5 1/3 innings, gave up nine hits and five runs, and had a career-high five walks. George Sherrill replaced him, threw three pitches, one of which was it for a sacrifice fly that tied the score.

Jeff Weaver, who was activated earlier that afternoon after missing 15 games with a lower back strain, followed with six pitches, none of which amounted to anything.

Matt Kemp tripled in the sixth inning, scoring Jamey Carroll and giving Kemp his first RBI in 14 games. It also gave the Dodgers a 6-5 lead.

Ramon Troncoso took the mound and pitched two innings before Broxton was able to get some work in. Before Thursday, he hadn’t pitched since April 30, and hadn’t pitched in a save situation since April 24.

After Carlos Gonzalez was caught stealing second base, Broxton struck out Ian Stewart and Jason Giambi to end it, the final pitch a 92-mph fastball that Giambi whiffed at in the cool night.