By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Final: Phillies 5, Rockies 3 ❖ Attendance: 42,335
DENVER — On the nine-year anniversary of the "tarp game," where members of the Philadelphia Phillies (41-47) helped the Colorado Rockies (39-47) grounds crew secure a tarp under torrential rain and wind conditions, a go-ahead three-run blast by pinch-hitter Tommy Joseph in the seventh and a game-saving diving catch by rookie left fielder Tyler Goeddel for the final out in the eighth contributed to a 5-3 victory for the Phillies Friday evening at Coors Field.
With the victory, the Phillies ended their five-game skid against the Rockies and became just the third non-National League West team to collect 100 wins against them in franchise history.
Making his 15th start of the season, Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez surrendered two runs on eight hits and two walks, striking six batters out through six innings of work on 98 pitches. Both the runs were two-out RBI doubles by right fielder Carlos Gonzalez and shortstop Trevor Story in the bottom of the third and fifth innings, respectively.
Heading into the seventh, it appeared as though Velasquez was on the hook for what would be just his third losing decision of the season. Rockies RHP Jon Gray had limited the Phillies offense to just four baserunners over six shutout innings: a leadoff infield single and double by shortstop Freddy Galvis and right fielder Peter Bourjos in the third and fourth innings, respectively, a two-out hit-by-pitch of catcher Cameron Rupp in the fourth, and a two-out walk by left fielder Cody Asche in the sixth.
Things would soon change for the benefit of the Phillies. After a Rupp walk and Galvis single, putting runners on the corners, Gray was pulled with one out in favor of southpaw Jake McGee. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez then came through for the Phillies' first run, a RBI single to left. Pinch-hitting for Velasquez, Phillies rookie Tommy Joseph delivered with a three-run towering shot to left field calculated to a traveled distance of 455 feet. It gave the Phillies a 4-2 advantage.
Joseph's 10th career home run — the Phillies' first pinch-hit blast of the season — provided his team its first lead of the series. It also raised his RBI total to 20, making him just the second National League East rookie to accomplish such feat in 2016, joining Atlanta Braves center fielder Mallex Smith.
Tommy Joseph's 455-foot pinch-hit, three-run homer was the Phillies' longest homer of the season. Left his bat at 104 mph.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 9, 2016
Phillies RHP Andrew Bailey (left hamstring strain) entered in the seventh for his first appearance since June 22. With second baseman DJ LeMahieu on first via a walk and two outs, Bailey allowed a single to Gonzalez to advance a runner into scoring position. Story then delivered with a RBI single to left field, his second hit and RBI of the contest.
With the Phillies' once two-run lead cut in half, 4-3, manager Pete Mackanin brought in right-hander Hector Neris, looking to escape further damage. He allowed a walk to left fielder Brandon Barnes to load the bases and nearly walked-in the tying run the next batter with the count reaching 3-0. Yet, the lead was preserved as first baseman Mark Reynolds grounded out to short for the final out of the seventh.
The Phillies added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, increasing their lead to 5-3, via a throwing error by catcher Nick Hundley. The added run followed a game-saving diving catch by rookie left fielder Tyler Goeddel for the final out in the previous half-inning, preserving both Velasquez's win and Gomez's save opportunity.
Neris and closer Jeanmar Gomez combined to throw a scoreless eighth and ninth inning. It was Gomez's second save this season when tossing more than one inning and his 24th save overall.
The Phillies' second-to-last game before the All-Star break on Saturday will feature a battle of two 26-year-old 2011 amateur draft picks: right-hander Jerad Eickhoff (6-9, 3.30 ERA), selected in the 15th round, and Rockies southpaw Tyler Anderson (0-3, 3.03 ERA), selected 20th overall. (Time: 8:40 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP).
