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Wild card hopefuls face off as Phillies host Rockies

Sep 11, 2007 - 1:06 PM Colorado (74-69) at Philadelphia (76-67) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - A pair wild card hopefuls meet as the Philadelphia Phillies continue a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.

Pat Burrell hit a game-tying three-run homer in the seventh inning and Ryan Howard hit a go-ahead double in the 10th as the Phillies posted a 6-5 win in Monday's opener.

Philadelphia, which trails the San Diego Padres (77-65) by 1 1/2 games in the wild card race, has won three straight. With 19 games left, the Phillies trail the New York Mets (82-61) by six games in the National League East.

The Phillies, who have won three straight, get to strengthen their chances by knocking off a Rockies team that is 3 1/2 games behind the wild-card leading Padres.

However, in order to do so, they need Adam Eaton to pitch better. Eaton (9-8, 6.28 ERA) makes his third start since coming of the disabled list. The righthander last started on September 2 and allowed five runs and six hits in six innings, but did not factor into the decision in a 7-6 loss to Florida.

Meanwhile, the Rockies have rotation issues of their own.

With starters Aaron Cook and Jason Hirsh out, rookie Franklin Morales has assumed a permanent spot in the rotation. Morales (0-2, 6.23) allowed five runs and five hits in three innings, but did not receive a decision in a 6-5 win over San Francisco on Tuesday.