Colorado Rockies Bullpen Shaky As Philadelphia Phillies Avoid Sweep

Apr 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) hits a single during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. The Rockies won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies had a comfortable lead heading into the sixth inning up 6-3, but it would all go down hill from that point on. After a solid sixth inning of work from Rex Brothers, Boone Logan struggled in the seventh. He would go just 0.1 (one-third) of an inning, giving up three hits, three runs, two earned on two sacrifice flies and an RBI single from Ryan Howard. Rockies righty Adam Ottavino came in and cleaned up the miss, getting one strikeout facing two batters.

At that point, it was 8-6 in favor of the Philadelphia Phillies heading into the bottom of the seventh. After a leadoff double from Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Justin Morneau would follow him up with a two-run home run to right to tie it up at eight apiece. Colorado would elect to go with Matt Belisle in the eighth and that would prove to be a mistake. Belisle would finish out the eighth, but would give up three hits, two runs, two earned on a Jimmy Rollins RBI single and a Chase Utley RBI ground out. The decision not to keep Ottavino in the game was a puzzling one to myself and many other Rockies’ fans.

Colorado would scratch one more run in the bottom half of the eighth inning as Charlie Blackmon continues to be a force at the top of the lineup. He would rip a solo-shot to right-center, bringing the lead down to one, 10-9. Colorado’s hopes of coming back would be crushed in the top half of the ninth as Freddy Galvis rolled over on a ball that Josh Rutledge couldn’t handle, scoring Marlon Byrd from third. The Phillies would keep the Rockies off of the scoreboard in the ninth, coming away with the 10-9 victory while avoiding the sweep.

Notable Rockies Hitters:

• Charlie Blackmon: 1-for-4, HR, 2 R, 1 RBI.
• Brandon Barnes: 3-for-4, 2 R.
• Troy Tulowitzki: 3-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI.
• Justin Morneau: 2-for-4, HR, 5 RBI.
• Nolan Arenado: 2-for-5, 1 RBI (11-gm hitting streak)

Rockies Pitchers:

• Juan Nicasio: 5.o IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO, 2 HR.
• Rex Brothers: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO.
• Boone Logan: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER.
• Adam Ottavino: 0.2 IP, 1 SO.
• Matt Belisle (L, 0-2): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER.
• Chad Bettis: 1.0 IP, 1 H.

The Colorado Rockies (10-10) return to action Monday night starting a three-game set with the San Francisco Giants. Ryan Vogelsong (Giants) will take the hill going up against Jorge De La Rosa (Rockies). First-pitch is scheduled for 8:40 PM ET, 6:40 PM MT.