Phillies get enough early offense to hold off Rockies

(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

The Phillies offense, which broke out for 35 combined runs on Sunday and Monday, picked right up were they left off, at least in the first two innings. The Phils tagged Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez for 4 runs in the first and 3 more in the second but were held off the scoreboard for the rest of the game. Philly did manage to win, holding off a late, rain-soaked comeback by the Rockies to win 7-4.

The Phils got a solid outing from starter Kyle Kendrick who gave up only 2 runs in 7 1/3 innings. That kind of effort coupled with the way the Phillies offense can put numbers on the board will get you a win every time.

Offensively, the Phils played without Pat Burrell who was scratched from the lineup due to stiffness in his neck. Greg Dobbs filled in admirably for Burrell, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs on a single in the 1st inning. Pedro Feliz also picked up a pair of RBIs in the first on a double.

The Phillies offense is on a tear for the last three games, totaling 42 runs (15+20+7). That is a ton of runs, but according to Todd Zolecki, it doesn't even come close to the all-time franchise record of 60 runs scored in 3 games back in 1894. The Phils won three consecutive games by scores of 14-4, 17-3 and 29-4 over the Louisville Colonels. Their current total of 42 runs ties the modern-day franchise record of 42 runs in three games, something they did in 1932 and 1999.

One reason why the Phils have been lighting up the scoreboard has a lot to do with the guys at the top of the order, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. Both are healthy and finding ways to get on base and use their speed once they get there, which sets the table for the big bats to drive them home. Each got two hits and a steal tonight and Rollins scored twice and Victorino scored once.

Tomorrow the Phillies will look for their first series sweep of the season since the last time they played the Rockies in a 2 game set back in late April. Adam Eaton and his 5.37 ERA and 0-3 record will take on Greg Reynolds (0-1, 4.08) of the Rockies tomorrow night. Let's hope the Phils were saving some runs for tomorrow because they are going to need them.

Highlights of their third straight win via Baseball Tonight: