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Pence helps Phils top Rockies

Jul 16, 2012 - 12:21 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer to back eight solid innings from Cole Hamels, as the Philadelphia Phillies took down the Colorado Rockies, 5-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Hamels (11-4) gave up one run on six hits for the Phillies, who have won two in a row since a five-game skid. The left-hander, who struck out seven, may be playing his final few games in a Philadelphia uniform, that is if they can't sign him to a contract extension.

Hamels is due to become a free agent at the end of this season and will command big money on the open market. However, the Phillies have reportedly been in talks with the All-Star about getting an extension done prior to July 31.

Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz each had an RBI for Philadelphia, which picked up its first series win since June 19-21 versus Colorado at Citizens Bank Park.

"This was big for us, to come back after the break and take the series," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We have a winning streak. I don't know if you call two games a winning streak or not, but we do."

Carlos Gonzalez knocked in the lone run for the Rockies, who have lost two straight since a two-game winning streak.

Drew Pomeranz (1-4) allowed five runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked two.

The Phillies got on the board in the first inning. Shane Victorino tripled to right-center field and scored on Ruiz's two-out single to left.

Philadelphia tacked on another run in the fourth. Ruiz led off with a double to right, moved to third on Ty Wigginton's groundout and raced home on Polanco's sacrifice fly.

Pence gave the Phillies some breathing room in the fifth. With two outs, Jimmy Rollins singled and Victorino walked. Pence stepped to the plate and smacked Pomeranz's offering over the wall in left to make it 5-0.

"If I could go back again, I probably would have thrown something different," Pomeranz said.

Colorado finally got to Hamels in the sixth. Marco Scutaro walked and scored on Gonzalez's triple to left-center field. Hamels, though, retired the next two batters to keep it a four-run contest.

Antonio Bastardo pitched a perfect ninth to secure the victory.

Game Notes

The Phillies have not lost a series in Denver since July 6-8, 2007...The Phils had dropped their previous eight Sunday contests...The Rockies went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded five...Philadelphia announced on Sunday that they plan to activate ace Roy Halladay from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. Halladay was placed on the DL on May 29 due to a right latissimus dorsi strain. He will start against the Dodgers on Tuesday.