By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Coming off of his career-worst, 10-runs-allowed performance on Friday, Philadelphia Phillies (34-31) RHP Vince Velasquez will look to secure his club's eighth series victory in Thursday's matinee finale against RHP German Márquez and the Colorado Rockies (33-34) at Citizens Bank Park.
The Rockies snapped their five-game skid with a 7-2 win over Nick Pivetta and the Phillies on Wednesday. Through five frames, Pivetta allowed six runs on eight hits, three walks, five strikeouts and one home run allowed. Rookie shortstop Scott Kingery went 0-4 with four strikeouts, one day after producing a three-run home run and four-RBI performance in the series opener. Third baseman Maikel Franco returned to the starting lineup after a five-game absence and went 0-4, while Jesmuel Valentin made his second career start and went 3-4 with two doubles and a home run. Catcher Jorge Alfaro also went yard, his fifth of the season.
Prior to the game, the Phillies will honor 2018 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Jim Thome during an on-field ceremony at 12:35 p.m. Today is the 14th anniversary of Thome's 400th career home run at Citizens Bank Park.
After Thursday's finale, the Phillies will travel to Milwaukee for a brief, three-game road trip, before returning home June 18-20 for a three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Phillies will then hold their annual Phillies Phestival to benefit the fight against ALS next Thursday, June 21, followed by a three-game road series down at the nation's capital, June 22-24.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Colorado Rockies (33-34) | Philadelphia Phillies (34-31) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | German Marquez | RHP | Vince Velasquez | ||
| (4-6, 4.79 ERA) | (4-7, 4.95 ERA) | ||||
RHP German Márquez, Age: 23
- Career vs. PHI: 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 7 H, R, ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 6 SO, 1.667 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 7 H, R, ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 6 SO, 1.667 WHIP
RHP Vince Velasquez, Age: 26
- Career vs. COL: 1-0, 4.35 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 20 2/3 IP, 26 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 23 SO, 1.790 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 7-12, 4.88 ERA, 26 G, 26 GS, 132 2/3 IP, 128 H, 77 R, 72 ER, 29 HR, 48 BB, 169 SO, 1.327 WHIP
Starting Lineups:
| Colorado Rockies (33-34) | Philadelphia Phillies (34-31) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | DJ LeMahieu | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | CF | Charlie Blackmon | L | 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | RF | Carlos Gonzalez | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | SS | Trevor Story | R | 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 5 | LF | Gerardo Parra | L | 5 | RF | Nick Williams | L |
| 6 | 1B | Ian Desmond | R | 6 | 3B | Jesmuel Valentin | S |
| 7 | 3B | Ryan McMahon | L | 7 | C | Andrew Knapp | S |
| 8 | C | Tony Wolters | L | 8 | P | Vince Velasquez | R |
| 9 | P | German Marquez | R | 9 | SS | J.P. Crawford | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: NBC 10
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies trail the division by four games, and the second Wild Card spot by three games.
- The Phillies will wear their 1980s powder blue uniforms as part of "Throwback Thursdays."
- Since 2008, the Phillies are 43-25 (.632) in 68 games against the Rockies.
- Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is 6-12 lifetime against Velasquez with two doubles, one home run and five RBI.
In the News:
- Long Island Ducks sign former Phillies reliever Colton Murray [Link]
- Phillies 1B/OF Rhys Hoskins designs New Era baseball cap [Link]
- Phillies No. 12 prospect Enyel De Los Santos off to strong start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley [Link]
- Kapler on Positivity: Consistent, Strong Energy Creates Better Outcomes [Link]
- Kapler: ‘Definitely Not Right’ to Make Dominguez Defined Closer [Link]
- Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis became the first player in club history to collect five RBI in consecutive games in their 13-5 win over the Athletics on Wednesday. This is just the 34th such occurrence league-wide since 1908, and the first since the Phillies' Franco as a rookie against the New York Yankees in 2015. (Source: David Schoenfield/ESPN)
What's Next:
Friday, June 15, 2018: at Milwaukee Brewers, 8:10 p.m.
- Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wis.
- RHP Jake Arrieta (5-4, 2.97 ERA) vs. LHP Brent Suter (6-4, 4.61 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
