Howard leads offense, Phils down Rockies 4-2
The Phils got on the scoreboard early, when they plated two runs in the first frame. Maikel Franco reached on pitcher Eddie Butler‘s throwing error, which led to Chase Utley scoring. The next batter, Jeff Francoeur, slapped a single to center, bringing home Ryan Howard, to put the visitors ahead 2-0.
The veteran slugger Howard, who laced three hits on the night, added another run in the 3rd inning, mashing a deep home run to left-center. A run-scoring single by Odubel Herrera later in the inning put the Phils up 4-0.
Rookie hurler Severino Gonzalez got the victory with five solid innings. The 22-year-old righty allowed just one earned run to record his second big league win after being recalled this week to replace the injured Chad Billingsley.
The Rockies’ runs came on a Carlos Gonzalez RBI single in the 4th inning and a RBI ground out by Nick Hundley in the 7th.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon recorded the final three outs of the contest, successfully notching his eleventh save in eleven chances this season.
The Phils return to action on Thursday, when they close out the four-game set in Colorado at 3:10 EASTERN time.
Bonus nuggets-
Howard has boosted his batting average 46 points in the last seven games and has four multi-hit games during that stretch.
RHP Ken Giles has a 1.96 ERA in 20 games this season. Giles, who tossed a scoreless inning on Wednesday, has a 1.17 ERA in 29 career road games at the big league level.
