With a win on Thursday, the Colorado Rockies came back to split their four-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies. The teams had to persevere through unseasonably cold and wet weather all week in Denver.
The Rockies have now split consecutive series’ after dropping their previous four straight.
Brandon Barnes — who the Rockies recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque midweek — went 4-for-4 with an RBI in his first MLB action of 2015 on Thursday. The energetic outfielder took the roster spot of Drew Stubbs, who was demoted due to poor performance. Barnes outburst came as a surprise as the 29-year-old was hitting just .205 at the Triple-A level.
Jorge De La Rosa became the Rockies all time leader with 774 career strikeouts in his start on Thursday. Despite the milestone, the Rockies top pitcher was pulled from the game without reaching the sixth inning for the fifth time in his six starts this season. The veteran lefty allowed three runs on five hits with five punchouts in four and a third innings.
Eddie Butler was also disappointing in his start on Wednesday. The young righty allowed four runs, two earned, on six hits and two walks in just three innings of work.
Luckily for the Rockies, their bullpen was on the top of their game throughout the series. The bullpen allowed just two runs in 16 and two-thirds innings. They threw six shutout innings after Butler exited on Wednesday before covering for De La Rosa with four and two thirds shutout innings on Thursday. John Axford earned his fifth save of the season in as many opportunities on Tuesday.
Wilin Rosario — who also had a stint in Triple-A this season — was swinging the Rockies most potent bat throughout the series. The converted first baseman went 5-for-13 at the plate with a triple, a double, and two RBIs.
Chase Utley and Ryan Howard led the way for the Phillies in the four-game set. Utley ripped off two doubles, a triple, four runs, and an RBI on six hits. Howard hit two homeruns, a double, three RBIs, and scored three runs. Howard’s three-hit game was the reason the Phillies won on Wednesday.
Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 10th and 11th saves of the season in the Phillies wins.
The two teams will meet again for a three-game set starting next Friday in Philadelphia.
Nathan is a staff writer for Mile High Sports. He can be reached on Twitter at @TheRealNatron.