Davis Showing Signs of Life for Dodgers : Baseball: He scores two runs and knocks in another as L.A. beats Rockies, 4-3, for fifth victory in row.

The returns are still not in on Eric Davis, but there was one indicator Saturday night that says his swing might be returning.

“When was the last time you saw Eric hit a ball to right field?” said former Dodger Reggie Smith, who has been working intensely with Davis this home stand.

Davis, starting his third game in the last nine, scored two runs and knocked in another as the Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies, 4-3, before a crowd of 50,537 at Dodger Stadium.

“When I hit the ball the other way, that’s when I know I am doing things right,” Davis said.

Davis also stole his 14th consecutive base this season, keeping alive a streak of 28 consecutive stolen bases dating to last season.

But then, Davis could always run.

It was Davis’ shot off the right-field fence in the fourth inning that was the most convincing sign yet that his swing is returning to the way it was before he suffered a kidney injury in the 1990 World Series. Before his injury, Davis averaged 29.6 home runs in his five major league seasons.

“Eric used to hit those same shots over the center-field fence,” Smith said.

“He has come so far this week. His head is clear now. After working with him this home stand and getting to know him, I have learned how intelligent and sensitive he is. People should have spent more time listening to him instead of talking to him. And that includes Reggie.”

The Dodgers were trailing, 3-2, when they rallied in the sixth inning. With one out, Davis walked, moved to second on a single by Tim Wallach and scored on a single to shallow left field by Mike Piazza. Left-handed starter Butch Henry was relieved by Jeff Parrett, who balked to move the runners up. Then, with two out and Eric Karros on first with a walk, Jody Reed hit a slow bouncer to short and beat it out with a head-first slide as the winning run scored.

It was the Dodgers’ fifth consecutive victory and put them only two percentage points behind fourth-place Cincinnati. Their 19-22 record puts them 8 1/2 games behind first-place San Francisco.

“There has been a dramatic change in this club,” said Davis, who had a sacrifice fly in the first. “When we start getting two-out hits, that puts you in a situation to win.”

On the downside for the Dodgers, Pedro Astacio had the shortest outing of his career when he was relieved by Rick Trlicek after walking two with none out in the fourth inning. By then, the Rockies were ahead, 3-1. Astacio strode off the field with his usual poise but grabbed his jacket from the bench in frustration and walked into the clubhouse.

The Dodger bullpen combined to pitch five scoreless innings, with Jim Gott pitching the ninth for his sixth save. Roger McDowell (2-0) pitched the sixth and got the victory.

“It was a bad day, but I’ll come back,” Astacio said. “I’m ready for my next start. I don’t think too much about this.”

Dodger officials could always hope that Astacio would continue to pitch as he did last season, when he was called up from triple-A Albuquerque at midseason and threw four shutouts. But they say they knew the 23-year old would have a learning curve this season.

Astacio has struggled in four of his last six starts, but pitching coach Ron Perranoski says he is not worried.

“Any young pitcher like Pedro is going to have to make adjustments,” Perranoski said. “He has struggled for a little while, and the big thing is for him to keep his sinker consistent. But I don’t have any problem with his pitching.”

Davis, who has been spending time with Smith daily in the batting cage, says he need less time with Smith now.

“It’s just to remind me to keep focusing and do what I have to do.”