Rockies are a tad better in 2-0 win

Two teams journeying in opposite directions crossed paths Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium with recent trends staying stagnant.

With the Dodgers playing their first official game knowing the postseason is not an option this year, they lost to the Rockies, 2-0, their ninth defeat in 10 games.

Meanwhile, the Rockies are winners of their last 10 games, and kept pace with the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies for wild-card consideration in the National League.

The Dodgers have one more chance to play spoiler in Colorado’s playoff aspirations tonight before a weekend visit from the San Francisco Giants wraps up the season.

“We won’t lose respect for the game and what it means to everyone concerned,� Dodgers Manager Grady Little said. “We’ll try to win every game we can.�

Rockies starter Josh Fogg handcuffed the Dodgers for 6 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and striking out five.

Relievers Jeremy Affeldt, Brian Fuentes and Manny Corpas backed Fogg up, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

They received their offense from Kaz Matsui and Matt Holliday, both of whom hit run-scoring singles in the third inning against starter Derek Lowe.

The Dodgers missed a chance to answer in the sixth inning when Andre Ethier struck out swinging with the bases loaded and two outs.

Lowe threw seven innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven. In his 14 losses this season, the Dodgers offense provided him with only 30 runs.

“It has a lot to do with bad fortune,� Little said. “Derek was outstanding today. I thought it was one of his better games of the season.�

Afterward, Lowe spoke frankly of the Dodgers’ disappointing season.

“For the most part, you ask many of the players, [the clubhouse] is not the most positive place right now. And losing has a part to do with that,� Lowe said.

Dodgers’ rookie Delwyn Young was the lone position player on either team with more than one hit.

Little said that Jeff Kent, who left Tuesday’s game in the fifth inning after a collision at home plate, and infielders Rafael Furcal (lower back pain) and Tony Abreu (leg strain) would all be day-to-day.

Young is quickly making an impression on Little and the manager said he would probably give the rookie more playing time as the season winds down.

Young hit his first major league home run Tuesday off Corpas and led the Pacific Coast League in runs (106) and doubles (54) before his late-season promotion.

“This kid carries some pretty good credentials coming through the minor leagues,� Little said.

The team voted catcher Russell Martin to receive its second annual Roy Campanella Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the former Dodgers great.

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