Phillies Head to Denver to Start a Three Game Set

Last night, the Phillies flew out west to start a ten game road trip starting in Denver against the Rockies for this weekend’s series. The Phillies left Philadelphia on high note, winning game three against the Braves to avoid the sweep. The series against the Braves was a lot closer than one may think. In game one, the Phillies had the lead in the ninth before Jake Diekman blew the save and in game two the Phillies lost 1-0 as they ran into a pitchers duel with Cliff Lee and Julio Teheran. This shows that the Phillies may not be so far off their NL East rivals.

Tonight, the Phillies will send Jonathan Pettibone to mound in what is probably his final start before he returns to Leigh Valley. With Cole Hamels returning from the DL possibly next week against the Dodgers, Pettibone would like to show that he is a reliable spot starter and remain in the running for a spot in the rotation to start next season. In the game Pettibone pitched against the Marlins, he went five innings and gave two runs, one being earned. Pettibone would like to pitch deeper into the game and take more of the strain off the bullpen.

Rockies will counter Pettibone with Tyler Chatwood. In Chatwood’s only start he took the no decision against the Giants.  He went six innings and gave up four runs and one home run. The Rockies ended up losing that game in a tenth inning on a walk off home run by Brandon Crawford.

Game Notes:

• Phillies-Braves game that was rained out is now schedule for a day-night double header on June 28th. The originally scheduled game is now at 2:05 pm and the make up is scheduled to start at 7:35 pm.
• Cole Hamels pitched seven innings in Clearwater last night throwing 81 pitches, striking out two, and giving up three hits one run. One of those hits was solo home run.

Phillies Lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Carlos Ruiz C
8. Cody Asche 3B
9. Jonathan Pettibone P

Rockies Lineup:

1. Charlie Blackman RF
2. Drew Stubbs CF
3. Carlos Gonzalez LF
4. Troy Tulowitzki  SS
5. Justin Morneau 1B
6. Wilin Rosario C
7. Nolan Arenado 3B
8. D.J. LeMahieu 2B
9. Tyler Chatwood P

First Pitch: 8:40 PM ET

Location: Coors Field, Denver, CO

Weather: Party Cloudy 68^oF, Wind: SW 6 mph

TV: CSN

Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP

Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Ashipotofsky