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Rockies, Dodgers battle for playoff position

Sep 19, 2007 - 2:57 PM LA Dodgers (79-72) at Colorado (79-72) 8:35 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) - Two teams clinging to their playoff hopes will meet on Wednesday when the Colorado Rockies take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third game of a four-game series.

The Rockies improved their playoff standings on Tuesday, sweeping a doubleheader from the Dodgers. With the wins, Colorado moved into a tie with Los Angeles, 4 1/2 games behind the National League wild card-leading San Diego Padres (83-67).

Colorado won the first game, 3-1, before Todd Helton hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning in the nightcap to complete the sweep. Helton has homered in seven of his last 10 games, blasting eight over that span.

Josh Fogg (9-9, 4.98 ERA) will look to keep the Rockies in the playoff hunt when he takes the mound on Wednesday.

Fogg did not figure in his last start after posting back-to-back wins. The 30-year-old righthander allowed four runs and five hits over five innings of a 7-6 loss against the Florida Marlins on Friday.

The Dodgers hope to get back on track when they send ace Brad Penny (16-4, 2.88) to the hill. Penny has won two of his last three starts and will go for back-to-back wins on Wednesday.

During his last start, Penny surrendered four runs - three earned - and six hits over five innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks en route to a 7-4 win on Friday.

For the season, Penny is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in three starts against the Rockies.