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Chacin tries to pitch Rockies to a rare win in Philly

May 19, 2011 - 2:49 PM (Sports Network) - Colorado Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin has never won more than nine games in a season. He can get more than half-way there with a win tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies in the finale of a two-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Chacin, who went a career-best 9-11 in 28 games (21 starts) a year ago, is 4-2 with a 2.89 earned run average in eight starts so far this season. With Ubaldo Jimenez struggling for a win, Chacin and Jorge De La Rosa have been co-aces for the Rockies, who are 5-3 when Chacin takes the mound this season. Chacin has recorded back-to-back no-decisions and previously took center stage in Saturday's 9-7 loss versus San Diego.

The Venezuelan right-hander was reached for a season-high tying five runs, three of which were earned, and five hits with six strikeouts over six innings against the Padres. Chacin is 2-1 in three road starts in 2011 and will face the Phillies for the fourth time in his career. He is 0-0 with a 1.13 ERA in three games (1 start) in this series.

De La Rosa suffered a tough-luck loss in Wednesday's 2-1 decision to the Phillies and lasted eight innings on the hill, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks. He did uncork a wild pitch in the decisive eighth inning that allowed Philadelphia to take the lead for good. Wilson Valdez singled off of De La Rosa to start the inning and moved to second when pinch-hitter Shane Victorino laid down a sacrifice bunt.

Valdez then scrambled to third on the left-hander's wild pitch and scored on Jimmy Rollins' fly out to right field. Carlos Gonzalez had a pair of hits and scored the lone run for the Rockies, who were coming off two home wins against San Francisco and lost for the third time in five tries. Todd Helton drove in Gonzalez with a double in the seventh inning.

"Obviously, especially on the road, we need to win these games," Helton said on the club's site. "We have to put this one behind us and head forward."

After tonight's game in south Philly the Rockies will head to Milwaukee for a three-game set at Miller Park.

Philadelphia was able to end a season-long four-game losing streak in which it scored a total of seven runs. The offense was still anemic in the 2-1 win over Colorado, as Valdez singled home Raul Ibanez in the fifth and came across the plate in the eighth for the final margin. Cole Hamels was brilliant in improving to 5-2 this season and hurled eight innings of one-run ball with eight K's and one walk.

"I know Colorado is a great-hitting team," said Hamels. "I knew I needed to go deep into the ball game."

Ryan Madson gave up a double to Rockies pinch-hitter Seth Smith to lead off the ninth inning, but came back strong to strike out Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Jason Giambi in succession for his seventh save.

The Phillies won for the third time in eight tries and will also host Texas and Cincinnati on their current nine-game homestand.

Had it not been for back-to-back homers by Braves sluggers Martin Prado and Nate McLouth in Saturday's 5-3 loss in Atlanta, Phillies starter Joe Blanton may have escaped Turner Field with a victory. Blanton gets another shot tonight against the Rockies to improve upon his 1-2 mark and a 5.50 ERA.

After giving up the consecutive blasts, Blanton settled down and lasted five innings, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk. The right-hander hasn't walked more than two batters in any of his starts this season and is still trying for his first win at home as evidenced by his 0-0 mark in two starts to go along with a less than desirable 7.15 ERA.

Blanton will face Colorado for the third time in his career, going 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA in the initial two starts.

Philadelphia won six of seven meetings with Colorado a year ago, including a 4-0 mark at Citizens Bank Park. The Rockies have dropped seven in a row on the road in this series.