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Rockies overpower Dodgers

Aug 20, 2008 - 6:50 AM By Jonathan Raber PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Ian Stewart's homecoming was special.

Stewart homered and drove in a career-high five runs for the Colorado Rockies during Tuesday's 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"That's a special night," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's not far from home -- good for him."

Making the best night of his career more memorable was that it came roughly 30 miles from his birthplace, nearby Long Beach.

"It's nice, especially since we won," Stewart said. "If you get five RBI and you lose, it's definitely not a good night."

Since being recalled from the minors on July 19, Stewart has provided the Rockies with a much-needed boost at the hot corner, particularly since regular third baseman Garrett Atkins has moved across the infield to fill-in for injured first baseman Todd Helton.

Stewart, who was named National League Rookie of the Month for July, has hits in 23 of his last 28 games and leads all rookies with 32 RBI since the All-Star break.

"Opportunities present themselves and young players can move upon them, which is good to see," Hurdle said. "He's definitely embraced this (opportunity) and run with it."

Matt Holliday had four hits, including a home run, and Brad Hawpe added a two-run homer for the Rockies.

Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez (9-11) went five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts to earn the win.

The righthander came in with an ERA of 15.63 in two previous starts at Dodger Stadium.

"I was thinking about it," Jimenez said. "My first start here this year and (also) last year, I didn't do very good. It feels great to pitch better here."

Nursing a one-run lead, the Rockies busted out for four runs in the eighth.

Holliday led off with his 24th home run. After Hong-Chih Kuo walked the next two batters, Stewart belted a three-run shot to extend the advantage to 8-3. It was a pitch that Stewart may have struggled with when he was up with the big club earlier this season.

"When I was up earlier, I wasn't having much success," Stewart said. "I was learning a new position and struggled. ?This is the best I've felt this last time I got called up. I felt really prepared and everything just seems to be going well."

The Rockies had gotten on the board in the first when Stewart's two-run single plated Willy Taveras and Hawpe.

Hawpe made it 4-1 in the third, driving a long home run to center. It came on the first pitch Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda threw after he was hit on the lower left leg with a comebacker from Holliday.

"We just got them at the right time, with the right people on," Hawpe said. "That's the name of the game."

The win was the 500th of Hurdle's career, making him the fourth in team history to reach the plateau. He ranks 15th on the active win list.

Jeff Kent finished with three hits and Matt Kemp had two doubles and drove in a run and for the Dodgers, who fell one game back of first-place Arizona in the West.

"We had some hits and some opportunities," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "The bullpen, which is uncharacteristic, couldn't keep us in it."

The Dodgers had cut into the early 4-1 deficit with two runs in the fourth courtesy of a two-out rally.

Nomar Garciaparra doubled and scored from third on a passed ball by catcher Yorvit Torrealba, before Kemp hit a two-bagger that plated Casey Blake to make it 4-3.

Kuroda (7-9) settled down after serving up Hawpe's third-inning homer. He lasted six innings, allowing four runs on six hits with three strikeouts.

Kent belted career double No. 560 in the first, tying him with Eddie Murray for 20th on the all-time list.