Red-Hot Offense Pummels Rockies, 20-5

The Rockies were up 3-0 to start the Memorial Day contest against the Phillies, but then the home team got to hitting: 20 runs, 19 hits. The Phils won 20-5. It was the most runs scored by the Phils in a game since July 3, 1999, and they have scored 35 runs in the past two days.

Everyone did their share tonight, but the star was Chase Utley, who went 3-for-6 with 6 RBI, a career high. He knocked a game-tying homer in the first inning, then drove in a couple more thanks to singles and a sacrifice fly. The bottom of the order was tremendous — Pedro Feliz had four hits and four RBI; Chris Coste had three hits including a three-run smash; and So Taguchi, getting his first start in a while, had three hits (two doubles).

For the second-consecutive game the Phils had two big innings, scoring six in the fourth and six in the sixth. Including a four-run eighth, they batted around three times. They were clutch, they were merciless. They knocked around starter Jorge De La Rosa (6 ER in 3.1 IP), relievers Jason Grilli (3 ER in 1.2 IP), Josh Newman (6 ER in 0.2 IP) and Matt Herges (4 ER in 0.1 IP). Basically, an all-out throttling.

Jamie Moyer gave up four early runs but hung in to strike out seven in seven innings. He was effective at keeping a young, inexperienced Rockies lineup off balance. Credit the offense for keeping Moyer in the game, too. Once they began bashing away at De La Rosa and grabbed a nice lead, Rockies’ hitters became impatient and swung at everything Moyer was throwing. Deception took over and the veteran outpaced the kids.

Kudos to Feliz, who has raised his average from .227 to .271 in one week. His slick hitting has helped the Phils grab more runs at the bottom of the order. Glancing at his gamelogs quickly, it seems when Feliz plates a batter the Phils almost always win. And kudos to Victorino, who has raised his OPS from .630 to above .700 in a week. Glancing at his gamelogs, when Vic scores the Phils almost always win. Two easy recipes for success — tonight was the most delicious of meals.

Associated Press photo