• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Werth helps Phillies rout Rockies

Sep 14, 2007 - 4:59 AM By Vince DiGregorio PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - After being outscored by an 18-run margin in the last two games, the Philadelphia Phillies' offense came alive.

Jayson Werth drove in three runs, while Chase Utley, Aaron Rowand and Wes Helms added two RBI each to lead the Phillies to a 12-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday and a split of their four-game series.

The Phillies (77-69) moved within 1 1/2 games of the San Diego Padres (78-67) in the National League wild card race. The Rockies (76-70) dropped 2 1/2 games behind the Padres.

"To bounce back and not only score a lot of runs against them, but just to beat them after what they did to us the past two games was big for us," Helms said.

Philadelphia embarks on a 10-game road swing through New York, St. Louis and Washington.

"We've got a big road trip," Werth said. "It's (going to) be tough going to New York, into St. Louis and finishing up with Washington. It should be exciting."

Geoff Geary (2-2) tossed three scoreless innings and allowed only one hit with a walk and a strikeout.

"Geary did a heck of a job tonight," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He came in and gave us innings when we needed them."

After both teams experienced an unusual first inning in Wednesday's contest with a triple play and missed chances, the first inning in this one was even more interesting.

Each team batted around in the frame with the Rockies scoring three runs and the Phillies answering with four to lead 4-3. The inning had a combined 85 pitches and took about 45 minutes to play.

Phillies starter J.D. Durbin struck out the side in the first, but good things did not come in threes for the righthander as he walked three, gave up three hits and three runs. He tossed 44 pitches.

"Inexperience shows up with Durbin," Manuel said. "Sometimes, that's what you get when you use young pitchers."

Colorado scored its first run on an error by left fielder Pat Burrell, then RBI singles by Garrett Atkins and Omar Quintanella made it, 3-0.

"The lineup Colorado features is one of the best in the National League," Helms said.

Philadelphia scored all four of its runs with two outs. Chris Iannetta's passed ball scored Utley, Rowand had a RBI single before Helms doubled high off the fence in right-center to plate two more runs to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

Francis allowed four hits, two walks and threw 41 pitches in the inning.

"It's disappointing, especially after we had an early lead," Francis said. "I fell behind on a lot of guys."

Durbin, who gave singles to Cory Sullivan and rookie Troy Tulowitzki to start the second inning, was replaced by Geary. Geary got Matt Holliday to hit into a double play, then retired Todd Helton on a first-pitch flyout to end the threat.

"I got my ground balls and the defense played great behind me," Geary said. "(Facing Holliday) I'm thinking, 'One pitch, two outs.' A lot of times, it doesn't happen that way."

Durbin went only one-plus innings and surrendered three runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. In his last three starts, Durbin has allowed 15 runs on 15 hits in 5 1/3 innings.

"I was really trying to find something positive, (but) I just haven't done it yet," Durbin said. "Geary came in today and did an awesome job. I hugged him and said, 'Thanks for picking me up.'"

Philadelphia batted around again in the fourth and scored four more runs.

Jimmy Rollins led off with a single and Utley followed with his 19th home run of the season to right-center. Werth and Carlos Ruiz added RBI to give the Phillies an 8-3 lead.

Francis (15-8) went 3 1/3 innings and gave up eight runs on eight hits. The lefthander walked four and hit a batter.

"Every ace has a struggle once in a while," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

Atkins cut the deficit to 8-4 in the fifth with his 22nd home run of the year, but the Phillies sent eight batters to the plate in the bottom half and scored three more runs.

Rowand had his second RBI single, Werth was hit by a pitch to force in a run and Greg Dobbs added a sacrifice fly to make it, 11-4.

Werth drove in his third run on a double in the seventh.