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By PAT GRAHAM

AP Sports Writer

DENVER (AP) -- Brad Penny reclined on a couch in the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse and read a book as he waited for the storm to pass through.

But the rain and lightning never cleared out of the area Friday night.

For the first time since 2004, the Rockies had a game at Coors Field rained out. Colorado did lose a game to snow on April 28, 2005, against Florida.

The teams will make the game up when the Dodgers return to Denver for a three-game series Sept. 18-20.

The Rockies missed an opportunity to cut into the Dodgers' lead in the NL West. Colorado trails Los Angeles by 5 1/2 games after dropping the series opener 5-4 on Thursday night.

Los Angeles will send Brett Tomko (2-7) to the mound Saturday night while the Rockies counter with Jeff Francis (10-5). Chad Billingsley (7-0) will throw Sunday for the Dodgers against Ubaldo Jimenez (0-0).

Josh Fogg, who was scheduled to start for the Rockies on Friday night, will be bumped back to possibly Wednesday.

"It's just like another All-Star break for me," Fogg said of the time between starts. "It's one of those things you can't control. You've got to take them as they come."

This is only the third time in team history the Rockies have had a game postponed in July, and first since July 16, 2000, against Oakland.

"When you walk outside and see how hard it's raining, you realize you're not starting at 7," Fogg said. "When it doesn't lighten up at all, you realize there's a good chance you're playing at 10 that night or not playing at all."

Both teams welcomed the break. Los Angeles and Colorado have both played 14 games in as many days since the All-Star break.

"We do what they tell us to do," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "We'd be fine if we were playing (Friday). We'll be fine if we're playing (Saturday)."

Before the game, Penny downplayed the abdominal cramp that forced him to leave Thursday night's game.

Penny was injured hustling out an infield single in the seventh inning. After crossing first base, he hunched over and clutched at his stomach, sending trainers scurrying out to check on him.

He said if he could have had a moment to catch his breath he would have stayed in.

"It's nothing to be concerned with," said Penny, who's tied for the major league lead with 13 wins. "I'm fine."

Penny is expected to make his next start. However, Little wants to see his ace throw on the side Saturday before making any decisions.

The same goes for Derek Lowe, who left the game Wednesday with what was believed to be a groin injury. An MRI on Thursday revealed it was an irritated hip.

"(The MRI) cleared up a lot," Lowe said. "It was a relief to know there wasn't anything serious.

"I feel stiff as a board, but the only area of soreness is where they gave me the shot. I'm sure it's from fluid buildup from the shot."

Lowe briefly threw on the grass Friday afternoon. He'll throw more on Saturday.

"All I've done is a lot of exercising and stretching. Exercising and stretching," Lowe said.

Little was encouraged by Lowe's MRI results.

"We're glad it wasn't a problem," he said.

Game notes

RHP Rodrigo Lopez's pitching arm remained sore a day after he was taken out of Thursday's game with tightness. The Rockies are leaning toward skipping Lopez's next turn in the rotation. ... RHP Jason Hirsh will make a rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday. He's been on the DL since July 3 with a sprained right ankle. ... Little said he'll give OF Luis Gonzalez Saturday night off.