Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Howard's three-run homer capped a four-run ninth inning rally, as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Colorado Rockies, 6-3, in the rubber match of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.
Tony Gwynn Jr. started the rally by reaching base when second baseman Josh Rutledge's throw to first was high off the glove of Justin Morneau. Ben Revere then singled off LaTroy Hawkins (2-1). Chase Utley tied the game with a two- out, RBI single to right field.
Howard, who finished with four RBI, smashed a 2-2 fastball over the left- center field wall off Boone Logan to end the game.
"I knew I hit it into the gap in left-center, I really didn't care too much if it was out or not." said Howard. "I knew it was going to be a base hit and the game was going to be over."
Jonathan Papelbon (1-1) pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the win.
DJ LeMahieu broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth after he smacked a full-count slider over the left-field fence off Jake Diekman.
Earlier, Morneau stroked the first pitch of the third inning over the left- field fence to put the Rockies on the board. Wilin Rosario's one-out double to center scored Corey Dickerson, who reached on a walk.
A pair of two-out hits cut the deficit to 2-1 in the home half. Utley doubled to the wall in right and Howard's single to center plated him.
Revere singled to start the fifth and then stole second. Howard was intentionally walked with two outs to face Marlon Byrd, who ripped a single to left to tie the game.
After reliever Antonio Bastardo walked the first three batters of the seventh inning to load the bases, the Rockies used their two stars as pinch-hitters to try to break the tie.
It took Mike Adams just two pitches to get Carlos Gonzalez to ground into a 1-2-3 double play, then Troy Tulowitzki struck out to end the inning.
"We felt like we had quite a few opportunities to put the game away, we didn't do it," said Rockies manager Walt Weiss.
Game Notes
It was Howard's fifth career walk-off home run, and first since July 9, 2010 ... Colorado starter Jordan Lyles yielded two runs on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts over five innings ... Phillies starter Roberto Hernandez surrendered two runs on six hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings ... The Rockies were 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position ... It was Jimmy Rollins' 2,000th game of his illustrious major league career.
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