Rockies 6, Phillies 5
DENVER -- Nick Hundley hit a tiebreaking home run with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Colorado Rockies edged the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 Tuesday night.
The catcher's third homer of the season came on a 1-2 pitch from Justin De Fratus (0-1) after the Rockies blew three- and two-run leads, the first early in the game and the second late.
Colorado closer John Axford retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his fifth save and halt the Phillies' six-game winning streak.
Hundley went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
A two-run double by Troy Tulowitzki with two out in the seventh gave the Rockies a short-lived 5-3 lead. Philadelphia right fielder Grady Sizemore crossed the foul line while diving for Tulowitzki's flare, and the ball went off his glove.
Phillies reliever Jake Diekman, who began the inning with two strikeouts, then gave up a single to second baseman DJ LeMahieu and walked center fielder Charlie Blackmon, setting the stage for Tulowitzki. The shortstop's hit was just the third for the Rockies since their two-hit, three-run first inning.
Left-hander Boone Logan took the mound for the Rockies in the eighth and quickly blew a save. He gave up two singles to open the inning, the second a bloop to short center by pinch hitter Jeff Francoeur. Logan struck out first baseman Ryan Howard but threw a wild pitch on strike three, moving two runners into scoring position.
Franco drove them in, tying the game at 5 by lining a first-pitch single to center. Logan walked second baseman Chase Utley and hit center fielder Odubel Herrera with a pitch to load the bases. The Rockies challenged, but the hit-by-pitch ruling was upheld.
Rookie Scott Oberg (2-1) relieved Logan and on his second pitch got catcher Carlos Ruiz to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Chad Bettis, who was recalled when Tyler Matzek was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque earlier in the month, made his second start for Colorado and was much more efficient in this outing. In an 89-pitch outing against the Phillies, Bettis gave up three runs and eight hits in six innings with no walks and five strikeouts. It was the fourth straight game the Rockies starter has worked at least six innings, a season high.
Phillies starter Aaron Harang also worked six innings, allowing three unearned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven. It was the eighth quality start of the season for Harang, who has thrown a quality start in 12 of his past 13 games since Sept. 10, 2014.
NOTES: By striking out 10 times, the Rockies extended their franchise record to seven consecutive games with double-digit whiffs. ... Phillies RHP Aaron Harang's double in the fourth was his first since Sept. 26, 2012, at San Diego while pitching for the Dodgers. ... Rockies LF Corey Dickerson (plantar fasciitis, left heel) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and 1B/OF Ben Paulsen was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. ... Rockies RHP Brooks Brown (right shoulder inflammation) rejoined the team after his second rehab outing Tuesday for Albuquerque and might be activated Wednesday. ... A weather delay caused the start of the game to be delayed 17 minutes.