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Rockies close set with Phils aiming for first sweep in Philly

May 31, 2015 - 12:30 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Rockies have already won their first series in Philadelphia since 2004. Now, Colorado is out to sweep the three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

The Rockies have never swept a set in Philadelphia. Their last regular season whitewash of the Phillies came April 26-28, 2002 at Coors Field.

If Colorado is to sweep the series, it will likely have to a get a strong effort from Jordan Lyles, who has gone 0-4 over his last five starts. The right-hander hasn't won since April 23 against San Diego, and he's departed two of his last three appearances due to injury.

In his most recent outing, in the opener of a doubleheader against San Francisco on May 23, Lyles allowed seven hits and six runs -- five earned -- over four-plus frames. He departed with a sprained toe on his left foot.

This has been a particularly tough month for Lyles, who has a 6.50 ERA in May. He's 1-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five career starts versus the Phillies. Lyles lost at Coors Field to the Phils on May 18.

Jerome Williams, Sunday's starter for the Phillies, has also struggled in May as evidenced by a 1-3 mark and a 6.53 ERA. The righty didn't get a decision against the Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday despite yielding only three runs in six innings. He's 1-1 with a 4.68 ERA in five games (4 starts) versus Colorado.

On Saturday, Nolan Arenado homered among his two hits and drove in two, as Colorado claimed a 5-2 victory. Michael McKenry and Ben Paulsen also went deep with Rafael Ynoa also driving in a run for the Rockies, who have won six of their last seven.

Eddie Butler (3-5) gave up a run on four hits with three strikeouts over his six-inning outing. John Axford recorded the final three outs to snag his ninth save.

Butler started in place of Jorge De La Rosa, who was out because of a cut on his left middle finger.

"The starting pitchers have done a real nice job over the last couple of weeks," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "It's no coincidence we're winning more games. We've got some young guys growing up on the job and some guys that have stepped in and performed really well."

Cesar Hernandez homered and Jeff Francoeur added two hits for the Phillies, who have dropped six in a row. Ryan Howard picked up an RBI double in defeat.

Aaron Harang (4-5) fanned seven over six frames, but allowed four hits and a pair of runs.

"The defense has been playing well, but we're just kind of off right now with the bats," Harang said.

The Phillies are 99-72 all-time against the Rockies. With one more win, the Phillies will become just the second team outside of the NL West to collect 100 wins against the Rockies, joining the Atlanta Braves. The Rockies and Phillies split a four-game set May 18-21 at Coors Field. Despite Saturday's win, the Rockies have lost 21 of their past 28 games in Philadelphia.