Announcement

**Old Sweater** · 04-21-2008, 04:36 AM

Tuesday April 2nd 6:35 MT___TV-RSRM-CSN___Radio KOA 850 am

_______ROCKIES VS PHILLIES_______

Jeff Francis 0-2 5.89era vs Brett Myers 2-1 3.96era

Colorado: After three bad outings -- one wiped out mercifully by rain, two that counted -- Francis was in top form in his last outing. He threw seven shutout innings, gave up three hits and struck out seven at San Diego, but wound up with a no-decision because Jake Peavy threw eight shutout innings. Francis has not been pitching outside effectively, but that didn't matter against the Padres. He was getting strikes and bad swings on the outside part of the plate.

Phillies: Myers has found a groove. After two subpar starts to start the season, the right-hander has allowed four runs in 15 innings. He's coming off a stellar start in which he held the Astros to one run and five hits in seven innings on April 17. Myers has thrived at Coors Field, with a 4-0 record and a 2.63 ERA there in four outings.

Clint Hurdle

Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis is keenly aware of how dangerous a lineup the Phillies have, and has been beat up by them in the past. He also knows he can beat them, having shut their hitters down in the first game of last year's National League Division Series. He believes he can do it again as the Rockies close out their two-game set.

A key for Francis will be to stay in the game. Righty Aaron Cook went seven in Saturday's victory over the Astros, and Francis went seven in his last start, but pitchers not reaching the seventh have increased the strain on the bullpen. The Rockies have been at or near the top of the league in relief ERA much of the season, but that can't hold if pitchers become tired. Manager Clint Hurdle said he's not going to blame the 'pen for the last two losses, including a 9-5 defeat at Coors by the Phillies on Monday. "This is more hiccups than anything," he said. "... They're not going to get it done every time." ... Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins is hot, on a six-game hitting streak during which he is batting .379 with three home runs. But so is catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who knocked a three-run homer on Monday and has nine RBIs in his last seven games. ... Clint Barmes went 2-for-4 Monday and has had multiple hits in six of his last eight games. ... The Rockies trailed, 6-5, going into the ninth, but left-hander Micah Bowie gave up three runs on three hits. ... Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca missed Monday night's game to tend to a family matter. The club is unsure when he'll return.

Charlie Manuel

The Philadelphia Phillies are less likely to miss reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins if Chase Utley continues to hit home runs with regularity.

Utley looks to homer for the sixth straight game Tuesday night as the Phillies (10-10) try to sweep a two-game set from the Colorado Rockies.

Utley homered for the fifth straight game Monday - his major league-leading ninth home run. Utley, who homered twice on Sunday, has nine RBIs in the last five games and is hitting .354 this season.

He’s the first Phillies player to homer in five straight games since Bobby Abreu from May 8-12, 2005.

The Phillies are looking to win three straight for the first time this season, as well as move above .500 for the first time. With Monday’s victory, Philadelphia won back-to-back games for the fourth time this season.

Myers is looking to build off his best outing of the season. He pitched seven innings Thursday against Houston, allowing one run and five hits while striking out a season-high eight in a 10-2 victory.

Click for Rockies Stats

Click for Phillies Stats

Click on Teams Name/Pitchers Name/Managers Name for further info

Announcement

Rockies vs Phillies 4-21/4-22

Rockies vs Phillies 4-21/4-22

Comment

Ad Widget