PHILADELPHIA, PA - Per the famous words of Queen, Colorado was signin' "We will, we will rock you."
In football, defense wins championships. In baseball, it's pitching.
To be more exact, its starting pitching.
As detailed in Thursday's game against the A's and Friday's against the Rockies, the Phillies' starter failed to make a positive impact on the game.
Instead, both Andrew Painter and Luzardo bottomed out.
If the Phillies are going to continue to fight their way back into the postseason hunt, they will need their staring staff to be much imrpoved. We have seen a glimpse of this over the past week, but the consistency needs to remain a constant.
After going down quietly early, the Phillies found offense found the spark it needed.
Kyle Schwarber, who hit his 13th home run of the season Friday night, got the scoring started. His solo blast was his 200th as a member of the Phillies.
Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh continue to swing the bat at an impressive clip.
Harper reached base all four times at the plate. Earning two hits and two walks, Harper continues to produce at the plate.
Marsh also contributed once more. An RBI single in the eighth gave the Phillies their third run of the ballgame. Another hit off a lefty extended Marsh's hitting streak to 10 games.
With two men on, Bryson Stott tacked on two more runs with to make it a 7-5 ballgame. While the game was within reach, the team needed to keep battling.
With two outs and Stott on second, Justin Crawford found the perfect time for his first career home run.
Tying the game at seven, the Phillies had flipped the script.
Jose Alvarado took the mound for the Phillies in the top of the ninth to try and keep the ballgame tied.
After striking out the leadoff batter, Alvarado would hit Rockies' designated hitter Brett Sullivan with a pitch. The Phillies challenged but were unsuccessful in getting it overturned.
Jake McCarthy would pinch run, swiping second base in the process.
Alvarado would get the second out on a weak pop up to shallow right, caught by Harper.
Tyler Freeman would go down on strikes, sending the Phillies to the bottom of the ninth.
In their half of the ninth, the Phillies would go down in order. A pair of strikeouts on Schwarber and Garcia would force the game into extra innings.
Orion Kerkering entered the ballgame in the 10th trying to keep the game tied at seven.
Former Phillie Mickey Moniak would pinch hit, skying one to left field for the second out of the inning. With two outs, Willi Castro, a switch hitter, stepped up. Kerkering would get Castro to go down swinging, ending the threat.
The Phillies failed to score in their half of the inning, leading to Brad Keller entering for the 11th.
Keller immediately allowed an RBI double, giving Colorado the lead and their first run since the seventh. Keller would allow another run in relief, giving the Rockies a two run cushion.
In their half of the 11th, Crawford out add on his third hit. However, the top of the Phillies order was unsuccessful in bringing home the tying run.
Despite a great effort, the Phillies fell 9-7.
