Giants-Rockies: Last Big Series in NL?

SAN FRANCISCO -- On a day that the Giants could have quietly stepped out of the way to allow the fans of San Francisco to turn their attention to the 49ers, they announced that their season is not over.

Not yet anyway.

Behind Brad Penny and a surprisingly robust performance by the offense, the Giants whipped the Dodgers, 7-2, remaining just close enough in the playoff hunt to make the Rockies series starting on Monday a big one.

Colorado last visited AT&T Park just two weeks ago, when the Giants swept them to pull into a tie for the National League wild-card lead. Since then, the Rockies have gone 8-3 and the Giants 5-7.

Now 4 1/2 games back with 19 to play, the Giants are fully aware that they have to beat the Rockies. Have to sweep them, to be honest.

Of course, they insist they aren't thinking any further than Monday's game.

"We can't go in thinking we've got to win 20 in a row," Giants closer Brian Wilson said. "Just think realistically. Show up and play today and talk about tomorrow, tomorrow."

With the Dodgers, Cardinals and Phillies all comfortably seated for October, this series could essentially complete the foursome, with only the matchups to be determined.

As they try to keep the race going, the Giants at least have the right pitchers going to the mound.

Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito and Matt Cain are lined up to face the Rockies, the same three pitchers who worked the sweep two weeks ago. Lincecum is going to take the mound for the first time since he was scratched from his previous start with back spasms.

"I'm just excited to get out there and pitch," Lincecum said.

Lincecum said over the past two days he's been "treating it, trying to keep it loose, making sure I'm in position to be able to throw and not get myself hurt again."

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Lincecum will not have a specific pitch-count, but "we'll keep an eye on him."

The Rockies send Jason Hammel to the mound on Monday, followed by emerging ace Ubaldo Jimenez and Jorge De La Rosa on Wednesday.