DENVER - Todd Helton is breaking out of the longest homerless streak of his career in a big way.
Helton had his second career three-homer game and had a career-high six RBIs Thursday to lead the Colorado Rockies to their fifth straight win, 12-5 over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Before connecting Friday, Helton had been homerless in 89 at-bats since April 25.
"It just happens sometimes," he said. "You go through a streak where you're not driving the ball well and you do a little work, and the next thing you know you start reaping the rewards."
Helton hit a two-run homer in the first off Odalis Perez, a shot in the fourth against Perez and another two-run homer in the eighth off Eric Gagne. Helton, who has 10 homers this season, also singled in a run in the third.
Helton, who homered three times at Coors Field on May 1, 2000, had his 22nd multihomer game and first this season. He credited hitting coach Duane Espy for working on his swing.
"Hitting for me is definitely a feel thing," Helton said. "If you feel good, if you feel confident up at the plate, you have about a 100 percent better chance of doing something good."
Ronnie Belliard had a career-high five hits and Jay Payton had three RBIs for the Rockies, who swept the Dodgers in Denver for the first time. Colorado, which has swept three series in Dodger Stadium, is on its longest winning streak since taking five in a row June 20-24. The Rockies outhit Los Angeles 16-14.
Scott Elarton, making his second start after missing last season because of shoulder surgery, shut out the Dodgers over his final three innings for his first victory since May 6, 2001, when he was with Houston.
"Ronnie got on base five times, and it's easy to score some runs when your leadoff guy gets on," Helton said. "And Scott held them to minimal runs. I'm so proud of him. I was here with him this offseason and got to see how hard he worked to come back."
ASTROS 7, CARDINALS 4: Jeff Kent started a rally in the eighth with a double and hit a two-run double in the ninth as visiting Houston won after blowing a three-run lead.
The Astros scored twice in the eighth and added two in the ninth after failing to hold a 3-1 lead in the seventh.
EXPOS 3, MARLINS 2: Orlando Cabrera's bloop single capped a three-run rally in the seventh that carried visiting Montreal.
The Expos avoided being swept in a four-game series for the first time since 2000. The Expos' three-game losing streak had matched their longest this season.
BREWERS 3, PADRES 2: Brian Lawrence took a three-hit shutout into the ninth before stumbling against visiting Milwaukee, the latest collapse by the league's worst team.
METS 5, PHILLIES 0: Steve Trachsel pitched 62/3 shutout innings, outdueling Kevin Millwood for visiting New York, which has won four of six against Philadelphia in two weeks.
