updated 2:49 a.m. ET Sept. 28, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Most of the Colorado Rockies are involved in a pennant race for the first time. It seems to be bringing out their best.

Garrett Atkins had four hits, including a home run, and Brad Hawpe and Todd Helton homered as the Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 on Thursday night to sweep the three-game series and extend their franchise-record winning streak to 11 games.

The Rockies have given themselves a shot at the second playoff berth in the 15-year history of the franchise with the longest winning streak in the majors this season.

“We didn’t set out to win 11 in a row,” Atkins said. “We’ve just taken it game-by-game. It’s most of our first time, but we’re not thinking of it like that. We’ve had good pitching, good hitting, good defense and good luck.”

Formed as an expansion team in 1993, the Rockies made the playoffs two years later. They haven’t had a winning record since 2000.

Hawpe had three hits and four RBIs for the Rockies, who trail first-place Arizona in the NL West by two games and are one game behind San Diego in the wild-card race along with Philadelphia and the New York Mets.

“I don’t think anyone thought we had to win 11 straight just to stay in this thing,” Hawpe said. “We’ve been excited about what we’ve done, where we’re at. We’re looking toward what we’re doing in the next game and not worrying about the big picture.”

The Rockies and Diamondbacks open a season-ending three-game series in Colorado on Friday. Should the Rockies sweep, they will either clinch a postseason berth or qualify for a tiebreaking game to determine the division winner or wild-card team.

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“We’re looking forward to it,” Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. “It’s going to be pretty special. We’ve gotten ourselves in a very good position that’s surprised a lot of people. It hasn’t surprised one person in that clubhouse.”

Seven of Colorado’s wins in the streak have come over the Dodgers, who have lost 10 of 11 to fall out of contention. The Rockies (87-72), a franchise-record 15 games over .500, won as many as nine straight once before — from Aug. 26-Sept. 5, 1997.

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“We’re right where we want to be,” said Helton, who leads the franchise in almost every offensive category. “It will be a fun weekend. This is what it’s all about. I’m sure it will be a playoff atmosphere.

“We’re looking to make the playoffs. Anything can happen in the playoffs.”

Helton, who joined the Rockies in 1997, has never played in a postseason game.

“They’re playing well right now,” said Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre, who played for the Rockies from 2000-02. “Anytime you win 11 games in a row, a lot of things are going right for them. It’s a good makeup over there. They’ve had a lot of young guys they stood by and they let them grow. And now they’re reaping the benefits.”

Rookie Franklin Morales (3-2), a 21-year-old left-hander making his eighth big-league start, allowed four hits and three runs in five-plus innings to earn the victory.

James Loney drove in three runs for the Dodgers to give him 31 RBIs this month — most in the majors.

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