Phillies 7, Rockies 2
The Colorado Rockies (25-41) continue to struggle, losing last night for the 11th time in 12 games, 7-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies (32-37). Colorado also announced yesterday that it was sending Jeremy Guthrie to the bullpen, and will go with a four man rotation for the foreseeable future. The two teams go again tonight at 5:05 MT at Citizens Bank Park (TV: Root Sports).
In the eyes of Colorado manager Jim Tracy, something unconventional had to be done. So before Tuesday's series opener against the Phillies, he told struggling Opening Day starter Jeremy Guthrie that he would be pitching out of the bullpen for the immediate future. What remains is a four-man rotation, with each starter limited to roughly 75 pitches per outing.
Things were looking up for the struggling Rockies early last night, as five of the first nine batters reached base. But from the middle of the second inning until Todd Helton walked midway through the sixth, Philly starter Cole Hamels retired 13 straight.
Official: Tuesday's Box Score.
On Day 1 of Tracy's pitching experiment, the plan didn't necessarily seem to matter much. That's because the Rockies' offense was unable to solve Cole Hamels, managing only two runs on six hits off the lefty.
Tracy stuck to his word, lifting starter Josh Outman with one out in the fifth inning after he had thrown just 72 pitches. Outman's pitching line included four runs on five hits, none more detrimental than John Mayberry Jr.'s two-run homer in the fourth inning.
The Rockies faced a three-run deficit after the home run. They got one back in the sixth on a two-out RBI single by Chris Nelson, but the Phillies piled on against Adam Ottavino in the seventh. Hamels led off with a single, and Carlos Ruiz provided the highlight of the frame with a two-run blast.
The loss capped off an interesting day for the Rockies, whose rotation entered Tuesday with a Major League-worst 6.28 ERA, leaving Tracy concerned about the bullpen's heavy workload.
Tickets are available for the Rockies’ next home game vs. the Washington Nationals on June 25th, and can be purchased by calling (800) 388-ROCK, or click here.
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