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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, October 2, 2009

Rockies reach NL playoffs


By Arnie Stapleton
Associated Press

DENVER — It's a Rocktober redux for the Colorado Rockies, who are back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.

Aaron Cook pitched four-hit ball over eight innings in his second start since missing a month with a sore shoulder, and Garrett Atkins drove in three runs for the Rockies in a 9-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday.

The Rockies' fourth straight victory eliminated Atlanta, their final pursuer, from contention for the NL wild card. Colorado can still catch the Dodgers for the NL West title if the Rockies sweep a weekend series in Los Angeles.

"We're in," Troy Tulowitzki said. "Anything can happen once you're in."

The Dodgers, who have lost four straight, were off yesterday and watched their division lead over the Rockies get sliced to two games with three left.

As the Rockies rejoiced behind the mound after the final out, fans broke into a chant of "Beat L.A.! Beat L.A!" while fireworks crackled through a cloudless sky.

"We're celebrating right now. We'll worry about that tomorrow," Todd Helton said as his teammates sprayed him with beer and champagne.

A bundled-up crowd of more than 38,000 sat through blustery winds on a 50-degree day to watch the record-setting win. At 91-58, the Rockies set a franchise mark for wins in a season and moved 23 games over .500 for the first time in their 17-year history.