Dodgers power their way to sweep of Rockies

Matt Kemp continued his offensive barrage on Sunday, but he wasn't alone. Kemp hit one of three two-run home runs as the Dodgers completed their sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 7-1 win at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers outscored the Rockies 18-1 in the three-game series.

With the win, the Dodgers kept pace with the St. Louis Cardinals, and remain two games back in the race for the second wild card spot in the National League, but with just three games left.

Andrew Brown hit a ball into the left field pavilion in the fourth inning to open the scoring, the only run scored by the Rockies in the three-game series. That was charged to Josh Beckett, who struck out five in his six innings for his second win as a Dodger.

Kemp hit a home run to right field in the fourth inning to score Shane Victorino to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning with Adrian Gonzalez on base, Luis Cruz shook off the cobwebs and crushed a ball into the Dodger bullpen for a 4-1 lead.

Both home runs were hit off Jorge De La Rosa, making just his third start since his return from Tommy John surgery. He lasted just four innings, but that is his longest outing so far, and has allowed five home runs in 10⅔ innings this season.

Gonzalez was 2-for-3 with a walk on the day to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, tied with Cruz for the longest streak by a Dodger this season.

The Dodgers added a third two-run home run in the sixth inning when A.J. Ellis connected off Alex White to give the Dodgers a 7-1 advantage. Ellis, who was honored on the field as the Dodgers' 2012 Roy Campanella Award winner before the game, has driven in a run at six straight games, a career high and the longest streak by the Dodgers this season.

Shane Victorino had three singles, scored two runs, and stole his 39th base to set a new career high in swipes.

Up Next

The Dodgers welcome the National League West winners to town on Monday, as the San Francisco Giants come to town to close out the regular season. Aaron Harang gets the call for the opener for the Dodgers, facing Matt Cain for the Giants.

Sunday's Particulars

Home Runs: Matt Kemp (23), Luis Cruz (6), A.J. Ellis (12); Andrew Brown (5)

WP - Josh Beckett (7-14): 6 IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts

LP - Jorge De La Rosa (0-2): 4 IP, 5 hits, 4 runs, 3 strikeouts