Playoff hopefuls close series in South Philly

Sep 13, 2007, 14:42 GMT

- Jeff Francis will try to pitch his way back into the win column tonight when he leads the Colorado Rockies in the finale of a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Francis is 15-7 with a 4.05 earned run average in 30 starts this season, but had his four-game unbeaten streak (0-2) stopped the last time out on Saturday versus San Diego. Francis gave up a pair of runs and four hits in eight innings of a 3-1 setback to the Padres at Coors Field.

The left-hander will try to remain perfect against the Phillies, as he sports a 1-0 mark and a 4.91 ERA in two career starts against them. Francis did not record a decision versus Philadelphia on July 6, as he yielded six runs in five innings of a 7-6 victory in Colorado.

The Rockies have won two straight and three of their last four games, including Wednesday's 12-0 pummeling of the Phils. Todd Helton went 3-for-4 with three RBI and Matt Holliday belted a three-run homer in the win.

Troy Tulowitzki added two hits, two RBI and scored twice for the Rockies, who are tied with the Phillies and Dodgers at 2 1/2 games behind the Padres for the top spot in the NL wild card chase.

Rockies reliever Mark Redman earned the win with five innings of two-hit ball, while starter Denny Bautista pitched the first two shutout innings.

Despite the Phillies turning their second triple play of the season in the first inning, they were handed their second straight loss after a three-game winning streak. Starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick gave up seven hits and four runs in three-plus innings for the loss. Kendrick left the game after Garrett Atkins ripped a line drive off the rookie hurler's knee.

J.D. Durbin gets the nod for the Phillies in Thursday's series finale. Durbin is 6-5 with a 5.13 ERA in 15 games (nine starts) with Philadelphia and has dropped his last two decisions.

The right-hander was beaten by Florida on September 7, permitting five runs -- two earned -- over 4 1/3 innings of a 6-3 loss. Durbin is 0-1 with a 30.86 earned run average lifetime in two relief appearances versus the Rockies.

Colorado won two of three against Philadelphia when these two clubs met at Coors Field in early July.

© 2007 The Sports Network