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Dodgers look to sweep Bucs behind Ryu
By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com | 4/7/2013 1:02 AM ET
While it would be easy for most rookies to be intimidated by the size and scope of Dodger Stadium, Hyun-Jin Ryu isn't your average rookie.
Just ask Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.
"To me, the greatest thing about Ryu is nothing overwhelms him," Mattingly said. "He's pitched in the World Baseball Classic and in the Olympics before. He never seems like he's stressed. He's always calm and collected and confident. One thing I have to keep reminding myself and other guys, this guy was the greatest player in South Korea."
Ryu will make his second start of the season on Sunday at Chavez Ravine as the Dodgers go for a series sweep of Pirates.
In his Major League debut on Tuesday against the Giants, Ryu allowed just three runs (one earned) on 10 hits in 61/3 innings, but still took the loss.
"I think he did a great job executing. A few hard hit balls fell in for hits and a few cheap ones as well," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said. "But for the most part he kept his composure and he kept attacking the zone, which is what we want to see."
Meanwhile, left-hander Jeff Locke will be on the hill for the Bucs, ready to make his first regular-season start.
Pittsburgh's steadiest starter during Spring Training, Locke went 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.
"I feel super competitive now," Locke said. "Pitching an extended spring game on Tuesday in Florida, I was just thinking of getting some stuff done. Then a guy hit a home run, and I'm like, 'OK, it's time to beat those guys'.
"I feel ready. I've really prepared for this. There wasn't a whole lot I could have done to prepare. I just want to get out there and perform and impress."
Pirates: Gomez OK after comebacker
Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez escaped serious injury when he made a body catch of Adrian Gonzalez's eighth inning line drive in Friday's loss to the Dodgers. However, the liner did clip Gomez's rib cage.
X-rays taken after the game were negative, but Gomez is still tender in the area. He'll have a few down days after throwing 39 pitches in three innings of relief on Friday, his first appearance of the season.
"Our first concern when he came in was, how does he feel? When you get hit like that, a little shock is involved," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It's scary. No leather, hit as hard as it can, and first thing it hits is the rib cage."
Dodgers: Harang traded to Rockies
The Dodgers traded right-hander Aaron Harang and cash to the Rockies for catcher Ramon Hernandez on Saturday.
With a surplus of starting pitchers, the Dodgers kept Harang in the bullpen to open the season. However, he did not appear in a game. In 31 starts for the Dodgers in 2012, Harang was 10-10 with a 3.61 ERA.
"Aaron was the one guy that it was really tough to know how to use," Mattingly said.
Worth noting
• Los Angeles has won eight straight against Pittsburgh at Dodger Stadium and is 65-24 against the Pirates since 2000.
• Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano, who is recovering from a broken right arm, threw two shifts and 30 pitches of batting practice on Friday. He'll throw a side session Sunday and pitch in a simulated game on Wednesday.
