"The Rockies swept their first series of the season. It means everything. It means nothing.

The Rockies were terrible against the Dodgers last season, especially at Coors Field. So bullying them twice, including a hand-wringing 7-5 victory Wednesday, can't be dismissed.

Only once have the Rockies finished ahead of Los Angeles in the standings, so even if this was more of a Swiffer Jet than brooming, it can't be dismissed.

Or can it?

"The Dodgers are a team people talk about us not being able to beat, so it's a good start," said outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, whose dominant defense in the ninth inning provided a safety net for Huston Street's latest high-wire act. "But it's just four games into the season."

And yet, the Rockies aren't apologizing for puffing their chests a bit. To contend, they have to play well in the National League West. They are 3-1.

To reach the playoffs, they have to be functional on the road. That is where this story picks up, the Rockies arriving in Pittsburgh today, then on to New York during this eight-game excursion. These cities have been about as kind to the Rockies as Detroit was to Charlie Sheen (#losing).

Colorado has had a winning record in Pittsburgh three times since 1993. The Rockies are 5-22 in their last 27 games in New York.

"It's something we have definitely stressed since the first day of spring. It's important to hold our own," Tulowitzki said. "The goal is to be better than .500. But just being around that puts us in a good spot, given what we do at home."

The Rockies' style of play should be conducive to visiting parks. The team is built around pitching, defense and timely hitting. It worked according to script Wednesday. Despite a rugged start, Jason Hammel outpitched Chad Billingsley. Todd Helton hit his first home run, in his 12th at-bat — he didn't club his first last year until his 116th. And Gonzalez demoralized the Dodgers in the ninth."