LOS ANGELES — Just down the hall from the black-and-white team photos and a few feet from the framed Sandy Koufax jersey, the embroidered skullcap with flowing dreadlocks awaits purchase.
These aren’t your father’s Dodgers. Three weeks after the stunning trade, Manny Mania has taken over Chavez Ravine. Wigs, jerseys and MannyWood T-shirts featuring a reflection of the slugger in sunglasses all are for sale.
The Dodgers might not be the best team in the National League. Or even in their division. But as the Rockies discovered on a cool Tuesday night, they are no longer boring.
Ramirez provided a welcome diversion from bouncing beach balls and The Wave, but even his magic wand couldn’t produce a win against the suddenly surging Rockies, the Dodgers’ falling 8-3 before an announced crowd of 46,687.
The Rockies won their fourth consecutive game, an inspired road streak, even if the winning is a week late. Colorado needed to do damage on its most recent homestand to move back into the race. While the timing stinks, the Rockies remain intriguing, showing the resolve and muscle expected in April.
“We know the Dodgers have a lot to play for, but we feel we do, too,” said Ian Stewart, who had a career-high five RBIs. “We are swinging the bats really well right now, and our bullpen has stepped up.”
Remember the spring-training chatter about this being one of the NL’s best lineups? Brad Hawpe, who has put together a career season over the past three months, Matt Holliday and the emerging Stewart showed why.
For all of Ramirez’s exploits — he has 21 RBIs this month but was held to a lone single in the series opener — no one is hotter than Hawpe. He blasted a two-run home run in the third inning, his fifth in his last seven games. His .398 average is the league’s best since July 11.
“He’s in a good place,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
Hawpe has spent the past eight weeks debunking stereotypes and crushing opposing pitchers. Viewed as a glorified platoon player, Hawpe is hitting left- handers at a .282 clip this season after entering the year with a career .220 average against them.
He is hitting on the road — 24-for-60 with five home runs in last 15 games. And he has 13 lifetime home runs against L.A.
It was telling Tuesday that he had to fight for the spotlight. With the Rockies clinging to a 4-3 lead, Holliday provided room to exhale in the eighth with his 23rd home run. Holliday went a little Hollywood, tossing a batting glove to an adoring fan as he returned to the dugout. She thanked him by pointing a pink foam finger in his direction.
She was the only Dodger fan who went home happy. Any reason for sticking around evaporated when Stewart faced Hong- Chih Kuo moments later. Kuo got sloppy with a cutter that Stewart swatted into the right- field pavilion.
It was his second straight game with a three-run home run, proving a buzz kill to MannyMania.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
TODAY: Rockies at Dodgers, 8:10 p.m., FSN
Jeff Francis (3-8, 5.74 ERA) reviewed the tape and agreed with the assessment that last week’s performance against the Diamondbacks was arguably his best of the season. He commanded his fastball on the inner half, turning his changeup back into an out pitch. Francis hasn’t won since June 18. The good newsThe key against Chad Billingsley (12-9) is working the count. He can reach 100 pitches quickly, and the bullpen is a much more appealing option than this right-hander. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Thursday:
Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (6-6, 6.16) vs. Dodgers’ Derek Lowe (9-10, 3.99), 1:10 p.m., FSN
Friday:
Reds’ Josh Fogg (2-5, 7.71) vs. Rockies’ Aaron Cook (15-8, 3.86), 7:05 p.m., FSN
Saturday:
Reds’ Edinson Volquez (15-5, 2.73) vs. Rockies’ Livan Hernandez (11-9, 6.07), 6:05 p.m., FSN
Sunday:
Reds’ Johnny Cueto (8-12, 4.74) vs. Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (9-11, 3.99), 1:05 p.m., KTVD-Ch. 20
