You want to get into a real political debate? Try figuring out which of the candidates for NL MVP deserves to win, Ken Rosenthal says. 

Two weeks ago, the Colorado Rockies appeared poised to make another remarkable run to the postseason. 

The third-place Rockies went 3-3 on their just-concluded homestand against the Giants and Astros and are 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Dodgers with 18 games remaining. 

--Thirteen of RF Brad Hawpe's 23 home runs have either tied the score or given the Rockies a lead. 

MEDICAL WATCH: C Yorvit Torrealba (torn meniscus in left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 

The Cassel brothers both bailed out their teams, coming to the rescue when the starters went down. 

Pinch-hitters Darin Erstad and David Newhan had back-to-back run-scoring hits in the eighth inning, lifting the Houston Astros to a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. 

Pinch-hitters Darin Erstad and David Newhan had back-to-back run-scoring hits in the eighth inning, lifting the Houston Astros to a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. 

Pinch-hitters Darin Erstad and David Newhan had back-to-back run-scoring hits in the eighth inning, lifting the Houston Astros to a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. 

Despite a recent winning streak, the Houston Astros still have significant ground to make up if they hope to make the playoffs. 

All Cecil Cooper wanted out of Roy Oswalt was his typical big performance. 

All Cecil Cooper wanted out of Roy Oswalt was his typical big performance. 

All Cecil Cooper wanted out of Roy Oswalt was his typical big performance. 

You want to get into a real political debate? Try figuring out which of the candidates for NL MVP deserves to win, Ken Rosenthal says. 

You want to get into a real political debate? Try figuring out which of the candidates for NL MVP deserves to win, Ken Rosenthal says.