Rockies grab lead in 9th, halt Dodgers winning streak

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Brad Hawpe homered early and hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning, sending the Colorado Rockies to a 3-1 victory Wednesday night that ended the Los Angeles Dodgers' 11-game winning streak.

Hawpe's two-out single off closer Takashi Saito scored Garrett Atkins from second and moved Matt Holliday from first to third. Holliday then provided an insurance run when he came home on a delayed double steal.

He had been caught off third on the play, but the Dodgers muffed the rundown when catcher Russell Martin couldn't hold onto a throw from third baseman Wilson Betemit.

Jeff Francis held the Dodgers to one run and six hits in 7 1-3 innings. Three of the four walks he issued were intentional, and he struck out two and hit a batter with a pitch.

Colorado relievers Manuel Corpas and Jeremy Affeldt pitched out of one-out, bases-loaded jam in the eighth. Corpas retired Jeff Kent on a popup, and Affeldt (2-0) ended the inning on Andre Ethier's groundout.

Brian Fuentes worked a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 27 chances.

Dodgers starter Derek Lowe (9-8) gave up three runs and six hits in 8 2-3 innings. He struck out six and walked none.

The Dodgers' winning streak was their longest since 1993. They haven't won 12 in a row since 1976.

The loss cost them a chance to take over first place in the NL West. San Diego lost 4-3 to the New York Mets, but maintained a half-game lead.

With Francis holding the Dodgers' offense in check, Lowe tied the score at 1 with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.

Ethier tripled with one out, and Francis intentionally walked Martin, then hit Jason Repko with a pitch to load the bases. Lowe hit a fly to deep center, with Ethier scoring easily and Martin taking third.

Francis ended the inning on a grounder by Rafael Furcal. Francis also cut down a runner at the plate in the fourth, throwing out Julio Lugo as he attempted to steal home.

Hawpe's 17th homer, a shot over the right-field wall, came on Lowe's first pitch in the sixth.

Hawpe went 2-for-3 against Lowe and is 8-for-14 lifetime against him. He has three homers and seven RBI against the right-hander.

Los Angeles first baseman Nomar Garciaparra was in the lineup after being activated from the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day. Garciaparra, who had been sidelined since July 25 with a sprained right knee, went 1-for-2 with two walks, one intentional.

Dodgers right fielder J.D. Drew left the game because of a strained left quad. James Loney pinch-hit for Drew in the fourth and replaced him in the outfield.

Game notes
Lugo, a longtime shortstop being used by the Dodgers in various roles, made his first career start at third base. ... Hawpe hit a three-run homer against Lowe on May 16 at Coors Field -- and threw out a runner at the plate from right field in a 5-1 win.