Phillies 4, Rockies 3
DENVER -- Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels always presents a daunting challenge for opposing hitters. Even more so when his teammates score at least three runs for him while he's in the game.
The Phillies did that Monday, beating the Colorado Rockies 4-3, thanks to a three-run rally with two out in the sixth.
The Phillies are weighing whether trading Hamels would hasten their rebuilding. Meanwhile, Hamels (4-3) is 11-0 in 17 starts since 2014 when his teammates tally three runs with him on the mound. He won his third straight start, worked a season-high 7 1/3 innings and allowed one run on one walk and six hits while striking out seven.
After he left, Luis Garcia gave up a single to third baseman Nolan Arenado, and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki reached base when his bouncer popped out of third baseman Maikel Franco's glove. Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez followed with a run-scoring single. A sliding Arenado was called safe as right fielder Jeff Francouer's throw was high and Arenado eluded catcher Carlos Ruiz's sprawling attempt to tag him. The call was upheld after a review.
Garcia quickly regrouped and struck out first baseman Wilin Rosario and got catcher Nick Hundley to fly out. Hundley jogged to first where he argued with and was ejected by first base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. Hundley had waived his hand in disagreement after Wendelstedt had ruled that Hundley was unable to check his swing on the second strike of the at-bat.
After closer Jonathan Papelbon gave up a one-out triple to second baseman DJ LeMahieu in the ninth, he struck out Corey Dickerson -- giving the Rockies six straight games with 10 or more strikeouts -- but center fielder Charlie Blackmon followed with a run-scoring single. Papelbon struck out Arenado to earn his 10th save in as many chances.
The victory was the sixth straight for the resurgent Phillies (17-23), their longest winning streak since they won seven consecutive games from Sept. 5-12, 2012. The Rockies (13-22) have lost 14 of their past 16 games and 20 of their past 26. They opened an eight-game homestand Monday with an urgent need to begin playing better at Coors Field, where their record fell to 4-10.
Rockies starter Jordan Lyles (2-4) began the sixth with two ground-ball outs, before Franco singled and second baseman Chase Utley walked. Center fielder Odubel Herrera lashed a two-run double toward the right-field and took third on a throw to the plate.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz, who came into the game with just six RBIs in 94 at-bats, flared a run-scoring single into short right field.
That was the final inning for Lyles, who got 10 outs on ground balls and pitched at least six innings for the sixth time in eight starts.
LeMahieu's two-out single in the second tied the game at 1. Rosario, who led off with a single and stole second, scored on the hit.
First baseman Ryan Howard's run-scoring single in the first gave the Phillies an early lead after they benefited from an overturned call. Left fielder Ben Revere opened the inning with a single. Shortstop Freddy Galvis hit a grounder down the first-base line that Rosario grabbed in foul territory. Rosario scampered to the base, and Galvis was called out.
However, replays showed Rosario missed first base. Revere advanced to third on a flyout and scored on Howard's hit.
Lyles showed no ill effects from the line drive off the bat of Albert Pujols that hit him in his right hand and forced him to leave his last start after one inning and 13 pitches Wednesday at Anaheim. He ended the first and second with double-play grounders Monday.
NOTES: Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki was back in the lineup after missing two games with left quad tightness. ... Rockies RHP Brooks Brown (right shoulder inflammation) could be activated Wednesday. He was scheduled to make his second rehab appearance Monday for Triple-A Albuquerque. ... Philadelphia RHP Severino Gonzalez will be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Wednesday, taking the turn of RHP Chad Billinsgley, who was placed on the disabled list Sunday due to a strained right latissimus dorsi and could rejoin the rotation in four to six weeks. To take Billingsley's place on the roster, the Phillies recalled RHP Hector Neris from Lehigh Valley, where he went 1-3 with a 5.94 ERA in 13 relief appearances. ... 3B Maikel Franco hit his first career triple and home run Sunday, making him the first Phillie to reach both milestones in the same game since Rick Schu on Sept. 2, 1984.