The Rockies dropped the game last night by a final score of 4-3. It was an unfortunate loss for the Rockies as they had the victory in their hands with three outs to go, but failed to close out the game as Rafael Betancourt blew his second save of the year. Betancourt looked uncomfortable on the mound last night and was the polar opposite of what we saw on Tuesday night when he was able to close out the game. He was leaving balls up in the zone and it cost him the game. He will most likely be unavailable tonight as he has worked two games in a row and was recently off of the disabled list, which means that should the Rockies need a closer they will turn to Rex Brothers for the game tonight. The loss last night for the Rockies failed to get them their second consecutive victory on the road, which they have not done since June 22nd-23rd in Washington.
The Rockies will be sending rookie Chad Bettis to the mound tonight to face off against the Phillies. Bettis has struggled to start his career, but he will be trying to pick up his first victory of his young career tonight against Philadelphia. On the year he has an 0-2 record with a 5.30 ERA in four games started. He did not have a great start his last time out against Baltimore and it was compounded by some defensive errors made behind him. In the game he lasted just 2 2/3rd innings allowing seven hits, eight runs (two earned), issued four walks and struck out two. It was the worst start of his young career and he will be trying to shake it off and give the Rockies a chance to get the victory tonight and earn a split with the Phillies in the series. He has not looked good on the road in three starts as he is 0-2 with a 6.39 ERA. This will be his first time facing anyone on the Phillies roster tonight, so look for him to work quickly and efficiently. In the Minor Leagues, Bettis was able to demonstrate excellent control but that has not been the case so far in his starts in the Majors. He has quality stuff but if he can't control it then he will be in for a long ride.
The Phillies will counter Bettis with Kyle Kendrick. On the year Kendrick is 10-10 with a 4.36 ERA. He pitched well against the Dodgers in his last start, but unfortunately for him he was running up against the hottest team in baseball and the offense behind him was unable to provide him with any support. In that start he went six innings allowing seven hits, two runs (one earned), and had one strikeout. He has lost his last two starts and four of his last five. He has struggled in the second half of the year and the Rockies are hoping that his struggles continue tonight. At home this year Kendrick is 6-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 13 starts. Current Rockies hitters are hitting for a .284 average against Kendrick with two home runs and four RBI in 67 combined at bats. Kendrick was having a decent year up until the end of June, then much like the Phillies, the wheels fell of for him and he has not been able to regain his form.
The Phillies lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Michael Young, 1B
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Dominic Brown, LF
5. Carlos Ruiz, C
6. Darin Ruf, RF
7. Cody Asche, 3B
8. Roger Bernandina, CF
9. Kyle Kendrick, P
The Rockies lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Corey Dickerson, LF
3. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Wilin Rosario, C
6. Todd Helton, 1B
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
9. Chad Bettis, P
First pitch for the game tonight is scheduled for 5:05 PM Mountain time. The Rockies are looking to build some momentum before heading down to Miami to take on an inferior Marlins team. They will be trying to get some revenge against the Marlins who took three out of four from the Rockies at Coors Field at the end of July.
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