DENVER — The Los Angeles Dodgers were outhit 20-18, burned through five pitchers and never felt entirely in control of the game.

Funny, coming from a team that jumped out to an eight-run lead in the first inning. The Dodgers had to sweat out a 16-10 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night in a game that played more like softball.

What exactly was that?

"Arena baseball," manager Joe Torre said of the nearly four-hour game. "When you get eight runs, it's a nice lead. But in this ballpark, you are certainly not safe. We couldn't shut them down."

The Dodgers actually never lost control of this game, setting season highs in runs and hits as they won for the fourth time of their last five games to remain tied with Arizona for first in the NL West.

That big opening inning was just the cushion they needed as Matt Kemp paved the way with two doubles in the frame.

Kemp seems to be making a habit of tormenting the Rockies in big first innings. On April 26 in Los Angeles, he hit a sacrifice fly and a grand slam off Mark Redman to cap a 10-run opening frame during an 1 win.

This time, Kemp led off the game with a double over Willy Taveras' head in center, and later laced an RBI double that hopped over the fence.

"I don't know why that is," he said of his opening inning success. "Hopefully, I'll repeat it tomorrow."

Kip Wells, who was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list before the game, had a frightful first, throwing 40 pitches and getting just one out before being yanked by manager Clint Hurdle. Wells (1-2) plodded off the field to a smattering of boos.

The 31-year-old righty has been out since late April with a blood clot in his right hand.

"There aren't a lot of times when you watch 26 of the 27 outs in a game you started," Wells said. "Of course I am disappointed. To add insult to injury, the bullpen had to practically pitch nine innings. I couldn't seem to find a way to get an out.

The Dodgers' bats were rolling all night long. By the fourth inning, every position player in the Los Angeles lineup had a hit.

James Loney finished with five RBIs, including a bases-clearing triple in the fifth.

Not to be outdone, Jeff Kent had three hits, including two doubles, drove in two runs and three runs scored before getting the rest of the night off in the bottom of the fifth as Pablo Ozuna replaced him.

Russell Martin also chipped in three singles and scored three times.

"It's always fun when you're getting big hits and scoring runs," said Loney, who was 3 for 6.

Matt Holliday had three hits for the Rockies, including his 17th homer of the season, a solo shot to deep center in the third. He also added an RBI on an infield single in the fourth and a run-scoring double in the seventh.

Troy Tulowitzki had a career-high five hits in his first game back since slamming his bat in frustration on the Fourth of July, sending shards of wood into his right hand. Tulowitzki, who came off the 15-day disabled list Monday, received 16 stitches at the base of his right index finger.

He was pleased with his performance.

"Any time you get any hits it's nice, let alone five," Tulowitzki said. "You know, we lost the game tonight and that's the main thing I look at."

Notes: Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw will be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to start tonight. ... Brian Falkenborg (2-2) came on in relief, going 113 innings to pick up the win. ... Rockies first baseman Todd Helton said his strained lower back is feeling better, but there's no timetable for his return. He's been on the disabled list since early July. ... The Rockies lost for only the second time in franchise history when pounding out at least 20 hits.