Rockies raise their game against rivals

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Rockies may be in last place in the National League West, but they've had a substantial impact on the top of the division standings.

The Dodgers hold a 4 1/2-game advantage on the Giants for first place. One key difference between the rivals? Their performances against the Rockies. Even with a 4-1 win over the Rox on Thursday, the Giants are just 7-8 against Colorado this season, while the Dodgers are 9-4.

Manager Walt Weiss said playing the role of spoiler was never on his mind as a player, and it's not as a manager, either. He wants his players' focus to center on something more important.

"It's more about earning respect, especially in a season that hasn't gone your way," Weiss said. "When you play those playoff-caliber clubs, you want to show that you can play with them, so I think it's more about having pride in your club and earning respect in the league."

The Rox have four remaining games with the Giants, three with the Cardinals and six with the Dodgers, so ample opportunity remains to earn respect by throwing a wrench into the NL playoff race.

So, what's with the above-.500 record against the Giants, against whom the Rockies have three comeback wins when trailing after eight innings?

"Coming here in particular, when you're playing against a team that's in the hunt, it does something to the atmosphere of the ballpark," said Weiss, who lists AT&T Park among his favorite parks in the Majors. "You can feel it. You can smell it. Naturally, you're going to pull from that adrenaline and the emotions of the atmosphere. It always feels like that when we come here."