Three keys

Key moments in the Rockies' 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium:

1 Left-handed pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, who had allowed right-handed hitters only a .208 average, relieved Jorge Julio with a 3-2 lead, one out and two runners on base in the eighth. He walked pinch hitter Jeff Kent on five pitches, then gave up a two- run single on a 2-1 pitch to light- hitting Ramon Martinez.

2 Todd Helton followed up a one-out Matt Holliday single with an eighth-inning home run off reliever Scott Proctor. Proctor was making his fifth appearance in six days, his third in the three-game series with the Rockies.

3 With the Rockies trailing 2-1 with one out in the fourth and runners on first and second, Troy Tulowitzki singled up the middle, but Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal stopped the ball and threw out Helton, who made too wide of a turn around third.

Etc.

The Rockies' 7-4, 14-inning win Saturday, in which Holliday singled in the go-ahead run and Brad Hawpe singled in two more, was the third longest in franchise history in terms of elapsed time. The game lasted 5 hours, 6 minutes, ranking behind a 2-1 loss to Arizona in 18 innings Aug. 15, 2006, that lasted 5:21, and a 7-6 loss at Arizona in 16 innings Sept. 16, 2006, that lasted 5:07. It was the team's 16th extra-inning game this season, extending the franchise record. . . . Brad Penny, who asked to pitch on short rest so he could face the Rockies on Sunday, wound up with a no-decision. He only allowed one run in five innings, but it took him 111 pitches, including a 17-pitch at-bat by Cory Sullivan, who fouled off 12 consecutive pitches. Sullivan finally flied out to end the third. Penny is 7-0 against the Rockies in his past eight starts. . . . Rockies relievers have 21 blown saves, tied with Cincinnati for the major league lead. Julio blew a save Saturday and Affeldt on Sunday. . . . Manny Corpas earned the save Saturday. He is 11-for-11 in saves since taking over that role and has a 1.17 ERA in 17 appearances while allowing opponents only a .145 batting average.

Scouting report: Pittsburgh Pirates

Series history: The Rockies lead 63-62, including a three-game sweep at PNC Park earlier this season. The Rockies have a 33-23 edge in Denver, 28-19 at Coors Field. The Rockies need one win in the series to win the season series for first time in five years.

Roster report: Center fielder Chris Duffy, on the disabled list because of a sprained left ankle, began a medical rehabilitation assignment in the rookie Gulf Coast League on Friday. . . . Catcher/outfielder Ryan Doumit (sprained left ankle) and left-handed pitcher Zach Duke (left elbow tightness) also are on disabled list. . . . Nate McLouth has taken over in center field for Duffy. . . . Right-handed pitcher Masumi Kuwata, a 39-year- old rookie from Japan, cleared waivers and declined an option to Triple-A Indianapolis. He is expected to take a non-playing job with the Pirates.

Quickly: The Pirates lead the National League with 128 runs and 27 home runs in August while going 10-9. . . . Pittsburgh rallied from deficits of five runs Thursday against the Mets and four runs both Saturday and Sunday against the Phillies. . . . The Pirates are an NL-worst 52-70, and are 23-34 on the road, the second-worst mark in the majors. . . . Shortstop Jack Wilson, who is hitting .413 in August, is the subject of trade rumors with Detroit. . . . Freddy Sanchez has 15 RBI this month, tied for fifth in the NL. Garrett Atkins is No. 1, with 22, and Tulowitzki is No. 2, with 18.