Rockies win, move on top of NL West

After getting swept in Los Angeles, Colorado dropped 2½ games behind the Dodgers and had an off day before three games in Arizona. The Rockies held a team meeting.

“You’ve got two options: You can sit at your locker and cry about it, or you can flush it out and show up the next day, continue to win games,” outfielder Carlos Gonzalez recalled.

Colorado hasn’t lost since.

David Dahl homered for the fourth straight game, and the Rockies opened a one-game NL West lead with a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in Denver that extended their winning streak to seven.

Trevor Story and Gerardo Parra also went deep for the Rockies (89-70), who matched their longest winning streak this season. Dahl hit a run-scoring triple and finished the fourgame sweep with eight hits and 11 RBIs.

Seeking its first division title, Colorado closes at home with three games Colorado’s David Dahl, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against Philadelphia on Thursday.

against Washington and already is assured its winningest season since going 92-70 in 2009.

“We’re on a roll right now and put ourselves back in the race,” Gonzalez said.

The second-place Dodgers (88-71) also are one game ahead of St. Louis (87-72) for the second NL wild-card berth and finish with a three-game series at San Francisco.

Jose Bautista and Carlos Santana homered for the Phillies, outscored 39-7 in the series.

CUBS 3, PIRATES 0: Jon Lester combined with three relievers on a four-hitter, David Bote hit an early two-run triple and Chicago beat Pittsburgh to open a one-game NL Central lead over Milwaukee. Lester (18-6) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and allowed three hits and four walks over six innings. The Cubs’ win means the NL Central champion, Chicago or Milwaukee, will finish with the league’s best record and will play the winner of Tuesday’s wild-card game.

YANKEES 12, RAYS 1: CC Sabathia (9-7) got his 246th win and moved New York closer to hosting next week’s AL wild-card game. New York (98-61) moved two games ahead of Oakland for hosting the Oct. 3 wild-card game. The Yankees hold the tiebreaker, which means more Yankees win or Athletics loss ensures the game would be in the Bronx. Giancarlo Stanton homered twice, raising his total to 37, and Miguel Andujar and Luke Voit also went deep. Tampa Bay’s Jaime Schultz (2-2) was the loser.