• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Helton, Rockies gear up for critical game against Phillies

Sep 13, 2007 - 1:20 PM Colorado (76-69) at Philadelphia (76-69) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - The Philadelphia Phillies will look to cool down the hot bat of Todd Helton when they host the Colorado Rockies in the finale of a critical four-game series Thursday.

Both clubs are in a three-way tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers (76-69) for the second spot in the wild card race, 2 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres (78-66).

Helton has a hit in 12 of his last 13 contests, going 24-for-49 (.490) with one home run and eight RBI over that stretch. The 34-year-old first baseman, who became the first player in major league history to have 35 doubles in 10 consecutive seasons, has also scored a run in 11 of those contests.

The Phillies will send spot starter J.D. Durbin (6-5, 6.12 ERA) to the mound in hopes of containing Helton and the rest of the Rockies, who have scored 20 runs in winning the last two games of the series after dropping the opener.

The 25-year-old Durbin is making just his 11th career start. The righthander has lost his last two outings, giving up 12 runs and 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings.

The Rockies will counter with lefthander Jeff Francis (15-7, 4.05), who has won 10 of his previous 12 decisions. The 26-year-old Canadian hurled eight innings, yielding two runs and four hits in Saturday's 3-1 setback to the Padres.

Colorado has won seven of its last 10 contests.