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Smith powers Rockies past Dodgers

Aug 22, 2011 - 2:45 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Seth Smith's two-run home run in the seventh lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the finale of a three-game set.

The win comes as a relief for Colorado as the team had dropped 17 straight games on a Sunday, a record for the modern era that matches the St. Louis Browns' record set June 19-October 9, 1898. The streak began after a win against Chicago on April 17 followed by a loss to Florida on April 24.

"It didn't matter to us," Smith said about the skid. "It's just good that we won. ... The streaks for [the media]."

Carlos Gonzalez added a two-run home run in the first inning for the Rockies, who have won three of their last four. Kevin Millwood (1-1) went seven innings in his first win of the season as he was charged with three runs on seven hits. He walked one batter and recorded four strikeouts.

James Loney went 4-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI while Matt Kemp drove in the other run for the Dodgers, who have dropped five of seven. Chad Billingsley (10-10) took the loss as he gave up five runs -- four earned -- on three hits with five walks and seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings of work.

The Rockies got on board in the first when Mark Ellis singled with one out and Gonzalez followed with his 21st home run of the year.

The Dodgers got a run back in the second when Loney doubled home Kemp and the team tied the game in the third as Kemp doubled in Justin Sellers.

Loney led off the fourth with his sixth homer of the year to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.

"James was good today. It shows you what he's capable of," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.

In the seventh, Jason Giambi walked and Smith hit his 14th homer of the season for a 4-3 lead.

The Rockies added a sacrifice fly from Troy Tulowitzki in the eighth for a 5-3 advantage while Rafael Betancourt worked the ninth for his second save of the season.

Game Notes

Kemp has an 11-game hitting streak...Colorado has won eight of the 15 games against the Dodgers this season...Billingsley fell to 3-7 over 15 games against the Rockies...Millwood improved to 6-3 in 10 games against the Dodgers, but this was his first game against them since 2002...Colorado hosts Houston for three games starting on Monday...The Dodgers play three games in St. Louis beginning on Monday.