Rockies 7, Dodgers 4
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies fared better Friday night as they began their second straight series against a contender, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4.
After getting swept in four games by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Rockies broke a five-game losing streak with just their sixth win in 17 games against the Dodgers this season.
The Dodgers entered the game with a magic number of three to clinch the National League West.
Three-run outbursts against Mike Bolsinger (6-5) in the third and fourth gave the Rockies a 7-1 lead. Two of the runs in the third were unearned, but the Rockies reached Bolsinger for a double and a triple that inning, a prelude to their stunning fourth-inning power display that ended Bolsinger's night.
The Rockies teed off on Bolsinger that inning with three homers -- center fielder Charlie Blackmon (No. 17), right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (38) and left fielder Corey Dickerson (8). The barrage -- homer, out, homer, out, homer -- marked the second time the Rockies have hit three homers in an inning this season.
David Hale (5-5), taking the turn of injured Yohan Flande, held the Dodgers to one run in five innings. Having not started since Aug. 23, Hale left after throwing 89 pitches.
The Dodgers cut the lead to 7-4 in the seventh on a two-run single by second baseman Howie Kendrick off Rex Brothers. But with runners on second and third, Scott Oberg, who relieved Brothers, got left fielder Carl Crawford to ground out.
John Axford retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his 25th save in 31 chances.
Aided by some sloppy fielding, the Rockies scored a run in the first and three more in the third. Bolsinger dropped a throw from first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to start the first. And the Rockies scored when Gonzalez singled and third baseman Nolan Arenado grounded into a fielder's choice.
After Dickerson doubled home a run with one out in the third, he scored when Gonzalez let first baseman Justin Morneau's grounder go through his legs. Second baseman Rafael Ynoa's two-out triple completed the three-run inning.
Hale gave up a one-out triple in the first to shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who then scored on a ground out to get the Dodgers on the board.
Hale gave up a walk and a single to start the third but struck out Gonzalez and got second baseman Howie Kendrick to ground into a double play.
NOTES: Rockies OF Brandon Barnes is likely done for the season due to a left-hamstring strain he suffered Wednesday, causing him to leave the game. ... Rockies LHP Yohan Flande is at least 50-50 to return this season, manager Walt Weiss said. Flande suffered a patellar tendon contusion when struck by a line drive Saturday. ... Dodgers 3B Chase Utley made his second career start at that position, the other coming Saturday. ... Dodgers RHP Mat Latos was released. He had been designated for assignment on Sept. 17 after he went 0-3 with a 6.66 ERA in six games, five starts, after being acquired in a three-team trade July 30. ... Dodgers OF Kiki Hernandez (left hamstring strain) had a heavy day of running and hitting at the Dodgers' complex in Glendale, Ariz., and is expected to be back with the team if he doesn't report soreness on Saturday. He has been on the disabled list since Aug. 31.