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Dodgers try to stay in form against Rockies

Sep 26, 2014 - 2:49 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The NL West-champion Los Angeles Dodgers still have some work to do before the playoffs begin and will start a three-game series Friday versus the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers are still in the hunt for home-field advantage throughout the National League postseason at 91-68, but the Washington Nationals are 93-65 and play a doubleheader Friday versus the Miami Marlins.

Los Angeles clinched the NL West with Wednesday's 9-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants, as ace Clayton Kershaw struck out 11 batters and gave up one run in eight innings. Kershaw also had an RBI triple for the Dodgers, winners in five of their last seven games.

Yasiel Puig homered, Juan Uribe had three RBI and Carl Crawford was 2-for-2 with two RBI and three runs scored. The Dodgers are heating up at the right moment and have scored four or more runs six times in the last seven games.

"Whoever we play (in the playoffs), it's going to be a battle," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

Roberto Hernandez is making a case for a rotation spot in the playoffs and gets the nod Friday for Los Angeles. Hernandez is 2-3 with a 4.74 ERA in eight starts since coming over via trade with Philadelphia and is 0-2 in his last four outings. He did not record a decision in last Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field and gave up two runs in four innings.

Hernandez hasn't pitched more than four innings in each of his last three starts and is 0-1 with an 8.50 ERA in four career starts against Colorado.

The Rockies had won six in a row until they dropped two of three games at San Diego. In Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Padres, Yohan Flande fell to 0-6 on the season and yielded four runs in four innings.

Charlie Blackmon homered and both Michael Cuddyer and Corey Dickerson finished with three hits and an RBI.

"When they get a lead, their bullpen's tough," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said of San Diego's relievers.

Jordan Lyles will make his last start of the season for the Rockies Friday and has a 7-3 mark to go along with a 4.15 ERA. Lyles won his last time out in a 15-3 bashing of Arizona on Sept. 19 and tossed six innings of two-run ball. It was his first win since Aug. 6.

Lyles has made 11 road starts this season and is 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA as the visitor. He is 0-1 with a 6.57 ERA in two career starts against LA.

Los Angeles is 10-6 against the Rockies this season.