DENVER -- There is a mental approach to pitching in Coors Field that most visiting pitchers just don't get.

That's the opinion of Dodgers backup catcher Danny Ardoin, who knows something about the subject, having been a catcher for the Rockies for two seasons.

"You need to be more aggressive early in the count," said Ardoin, who is expected to catch Hiroki Kuroda in Wednesday's get-away series finale, with Russell Martin starting at third base. "In general, the pitcher needs a different approach. You attack the hitter in the zone early in the count and make them put the ball in play."

It sounds simple, but Eric Stults on Monday and Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday were unable to execute that plan.

"One run is not a big deal in this park, but that's not the way pitchers are generally taught," Ardoin said. "Here, all you should think about is out-lasting the other starting pitcher. You give up four runs in six innings here, that's not a bad start here, even if it isn't what people call a 'quality start.' A lot of times, you take the aggressive approach and you wind up like [Ubaldo] Jimenez."

The Rockies' Jimenez, pitching at the same altitude as Kershaw on Tuesday night, came away with a complete-game four-hit victory.

"Having played here, I see how pitchers approach things," Ardoin said. "You can't pitch around guys here. You can't afford to put any extra guys on base, because you get traffic on the bases and it can snowball quick. Other parks, you can pitch around hitters. Not here."

Dodgers pitchers walked six on Monday and five on Tuesday. Jimenez walked two in nine innings.

"There's just a different approach in general to pitching effectively here," Ardoin said. "But when you try to explain it, sometimes they'll look at you like it's Greek. You have to take what the park gives you."

Pitching matchup
LAD: RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.79 ERA)
The All-Star break did Kuroda no good. After being spotted a three-run lead on Friday, he was battered by the Diamondbacks for six runs over the first 1 1/3 innings. Coming into that game, he had a 1.19 ERA in his three previous starts. He's 2-7 on the road.

COL: LHP Glendon Rusch (3-3, 5.79 ERA)
Rusch, who spent most of the season pitching in Triple-A, recorded his second consecutive win, giving up two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Pirates on Friday. Rusch stayed ahead in the count and used his curveball and changeup to keep Pittsburgh off balance. Rusch has made 10 starts against the Dodgers in his career, but he's 0-5 with a 14.21 ERA.

Tidbits
Juan Pierre will begin a Minor League rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday and could be activated by the weekend. ... Brad Penny is expected to start a Minor League rehab assignment at Las Vegas this weekend ... The Dodgers and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will once again host Carne Asada Sunday on Aug. 3 at the Loge Terrace following the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 1:10 p.m. Tickets to Carne Asada Sunday are on sale for a $50 donation to Dodgers Dream Foundation. Fans must also hold a ticket for the Aug. 3 game and can secure their spot at Carne Asada Sunday online at www.dodgers.com/carneasada Seating, limited to 200 people, is nearly sold out.

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Up next
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Dodgers (Chad Billingsley, 9-9, 3.32) vs. Nationals (John Lannan, 6-9, 3.29), 7:40 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Dodgers (Derek Lowe, 7-8, 3.97) vs. Nationals (Odalis Perez, 3-7, 3.99), 7:10 p.m. PT