Phillies look for continued success, face Rockies in final series before All-Star break

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

DENVER — The Philadelphia Phillies (40-46) will begin a four-game series — their last before the Major League Baseball All-Star break in San Diego, California — against the Colorado Rockies (38-46) Thursday evening at Coors Field.

Left-hander Adam Morgan earns a spot start in place of the resting RHP Aaron Nola. Rockies RHP Chad Bettis will make his 18th start of the season and the 75th appearance of his career, all with Colorado.

While the Phillies have won eight of their last nine, the Rockies have lost seven of their last nine, scoring one run or fewer in five of the losses. During the Phillies' stretch, their offense is averaging 5.7 runs and 11.4 hits per contest.  Since June 23, they lead baseball in extra-base hits (56), team batting average (.318), slugging percentage (.532) and OPS (.901).

Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has hit a home run in four straight games, one shy of the franchise record of five set by second baseman Chase Utley twice, right fielder Bobby Abreu and third basemen Mike Schmidt and Dick Allen. Franco is the youngest player in franchise history to accomplish such feat, 39 days younger than the previous record holder first baseman Don Hurst from July 28-31, 1929.

The Phillies have lost each of their last four games against the Rockies with a run and hit differential of -13 and -12, respectively.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Adam Morgan — Age: 26;

• Last Appearance: July 2, 2016, vs. KCR: ND, 3.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 3 SO, HR
• Career vs. COL: N/A

Over his past five appearances, Morgan has surrendered 16 runs, 12 earned, on 29 hits and six walks spanning 19 2/3 innings.

The left-hander has lost nine of his last 10 decisions, dating back to Sept. 4, 2015.

Chad Bettis — Age: 27;

• Last Start: July 2 2016, at LAD: L, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 4 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (1-0), 5 G, 3 GS, 21.1 IP, 17 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 17 SO, 1.69 ERA

In seven home starts this season at Coors Field, Bettis is (2-2) with a 6.69 ERA and 1.646 WHIP over 37 2/3 innings.

The Lubbock, Texas, native's last start against the Phillies featured an eight-inning, two-hit shutout performance of the Phillies offense with seven strikeouts on May 29, 2015, at Citizens Bank Park.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 8:40 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Franco ranks second among qualified Major League batters in the month of July in batting average (.500), slugging percentage (1.045) and home runs (4). Over his last 162 games, Franco has 165 hits, 34 doubles, two triples, 31 home runs, 51 walks and 99 RBIs.
• The Phillies are 38-36 all-time at Coors Field (opened April 26, 1995). They have lost six of their last 10 games at the venue dating back to June 14, 2013, outscored 64-43 and outhit 114-90.
• Active members of the Phillies are batting .256/.275/.333 lifetime against Bettis with one walk, seven singles, three doubles and three RBIs over plate appearances. Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is 5-8 against Bettis with a double and RBI. The only Rockie to have previously faced Morgan is first baseman Mark Reynolds, who is 1-3 with a double and strikeout in three plate appearances.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Friday, July 8, 2016: at Colorado Rockies, 8:10 p.m.
• Coors Field
  
• RHP Vince Velasquez (7-2, 3.34 ERA) vs. RHP Jon Gray (5-4, 4.81 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP