LATE NIGHT IN L.A.

Left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales was impressive in his major league debut, even if he didn't get a win. Morales allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings Saturday in a game the Rockies won 7-4 in 14 innings against the Dodgers.

"It is one of the highlights of everything we do," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It encompasses everyone and every part of our organization, from the scout who signed him to the minor league people who helped him get here."

Morales is the third product of the Rockies' Latin program to make an impact this year, joining starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez and closer Manny Corpas.

"It shows the guys have a pretty good eye for talent," Hurdle said of the Latin program overseen by Rolando Fernandez.

STEP FORWARD

Left-hander Jeff Francis wasn't involved in the decision Sunday. He won a personal battle, though. He rebounded from arguably the worst start of his career in the opening game of the trip, Tuesday at San Diego, to pitch six strong innings against the Dodgers. He gave up two runs, but one of those came on a single on a groundball Ramon Martinez hit that went off Todd Helton's glove and hit Kazuo Matsui in the knee. The start at San Diego included a five-walk second inning.

"The Dodgers had opportunities to score a lot of runs and didn't," Francis said. "I kept us in the game. We came back. We just couldn't hold on."

NUMBERS GAME

47 2/3 innings pitched by the Rockies bullpen in the past 12 games.