LOS ANGELES — One month ago, catcher Tom Murphy, the pride of West Monroe, N.Y., climbed into a batters box to face Fresno Grizzlies pitcher Brett Oberholtzer.
Two months ago, Murphy stared down Double-A Binghamton Mets right-hander Seth Lugo.
On Monday night, in just his second big-league appearance in a rookie run with the Rockies, Murphy settled in against Clayton Kershaw in what would be a 4-1 Los Angeles victory.
Tough assignment.
"There aren't a lot of people with a good experience against Clayton Kershaw," Rockies manager Walt Weiss joked before the game. "So maybe no experience is the way to go.