Colorado eliminated San Francisco from playoff contention and took a four-game lead over Atlanta in the National League wild-card race with four games remaining.
A win by the Rockies or a loss by the Braves during the final four days of the season will give Colorado its second post-season berth in three years.
Colorado is also still in the hunt for the National League West title, having started the night 3 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Helton broke a 2-2 tie with his homer in the third and the Rockies also got two-run shots from Carlos Gonzalez in the sixth and Troy Tulowitzki in the seventh. The Rockies won their third straight.
Jason Hammel (10-8) allowed four runs on seven hits, but struck out eight in a six-inning stint to get the win.
The loss was charged to Jeff Suppan (7-12), who gave up two of the Colorado homers and was roughed up for eight runs on 10 hits in six innings.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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