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Philadelphia – As the Rockies attempt to dig themselves out of a canyon, a single moment Thursday reflected the chasm between failure and mediocrity.

In the sixth inning, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber stood uncomfortably in the on-deck circle. He had thrown 84 pitches, and when Tomas Perez singled with two outs, Lieber peeked over his shoulder for a pinch hitter. There was no one on the stairs, as manager Charlie Manuel was content to sit on his hands with a one-run lead.

Any chance of the Rockies’ winning was tied to Lieber leaving. He stayed, rewarded for his pitch efficiency and propped up by two clutch hits, gnawing problems in Rockies losses this season.

Lieber worked two more innings in the Phillies’ 6-3 victory at Citizens Bank Park, tucking away the Rockies in his rolled-up sleeves.

“If we had added one run or two when we had the chance, that could have been the difference, because he would have been out of there,’ said Rockies third baseman Desi Relaford, who homered. “It shows why when you have someone on the ropes, you’ve got to knock them down.’

Measured against Lieber’s quick start this season, the Rockies weren’t expected to win. He’s arguably the National League’s best pitcher right now, the first Phillie to post victories in his first four starts in 15 years.

And yet he stuck his chin out in the first two innings, practically begging to get thumped, and the Rockies’ couldn’t deliver the haymaker.

ROCKIES WRAP

– – – – – – – THEFTS NAGGING ROX: Nobody wants to know the reason. They see the statistic – 0-for-14 – and assume the same old problem is dogging Rockies catchers. They have yet to throw out a runner this season, a year after erasing a major-league worst 14 percent, but veteran Todd Greene insists progress has been made. “The pitchers are making a conscious effort to hold guys,’ Greene said. “And JD (Closser) and me continue working hard to get better.’ Still, Greene couldn’t hide his frustration in the seventh after air-mailing a throw into center field on Jimmy Rollins’ stolen base. “I don’t know if it was confidence or stupidity,’ Greene said. “My arm feels better than it has in years, and I wanted to throw him out. But I have to eat the ball there. I had no play.’ STEWART IMPROVING: Super prospect Ian Stewart, out with a strained hamstring, will get about 30 more at-bats in extended spring training before beginning his season with Single-A Modesto. NO PLACE LIKE THOME: The only thing more popular in Philadelphia than the Eagles are boo birds. They flew down on slugger Jim Thome during the series. Thome swayed the crowd with his first home run this season in his 54th at-bat. <!– Postgame audio – xxxxx – xxxxx –> Today LA: Jeff Weaver at COL: Jason Jennings 6:30 p.m. TV: FSN Radio: 850 AM Stats: Matchup An early-season casualty of the porous bullpen, (0-2, 5.94 ERA) is looking for his first victory in eight months. “It’s been a long time,’ he said. A win would tie Jennings with Pedro Astacio for the most (24) at Coors Field. Jennings is trapped in a vicious cycle. Although he has pitched effectively, he has issued too many walks (13). His wildness has elevated his pitch count and left him relying on the relievers to pick up nine outs – a tall order – to preserve his work. Jeff Kent (10-for-23 against Jennings) must be neutralized, having feasted on the right-hander in the past. Jeff Weaver (2-0, 3.60) has rebounded nicely from his meltdown in the home opener, shutting out the Padres on a five-hitter last week. Petco Park and Coors Field, however, are as different as Beethoven and Led Zeppelin. This will be Weaver’s first game in Denver. Troy Renck’s Rockies Mailbag – –

The game’s first two batters – and – reached, and were promptly stranded. In the second inning, catcher Todd Greene was thrown out trying to score on a shallow flyball to left field, leaving Lieber perfectly flawed.

“I am a big boy. I went on my own because I thought I could make it,’ Greene said. “I wanted (Pat Burrell) to have to throw me out, and he made a good play.’

Having squandered opportunities, the Rockies’ eventual 3-0 lead had the feel of an amusement park ride: safe, but not totally secure. In a blink, the advantage vanished in the fourth inning as starter ‘s fastball command briefly deserted him.

What the announced crowd of 21,749 will remember are the two home runs, most notably slugger Jim Thome’s first of the season. What manager Clint Hurdle had trouble forgetting were the free passes that preceded the blasts.

“Joe battled and pitched a real professional game,’ Hurdle said, “but he really paid for those walks.’

The damage influenced the decision to pinch hit for him after six innings, with the Rockies trailing 4-3 and desperate to scratch a run off Lieber. Kennedy was a mix of disappointment and disbelief afterward.

“This place isn’t even close to Coors Field. You get more home runs here,’ Kennedy (1-2) said. “I thought Thome’s was a pop fly.’

Given the rewards of getting the ball in the air, Lieber’s outing acted as a taunt. He brushed corners with his sinker and created awkward swings with his changeup, leaving comfortable 0-fers in his wake.

“I don’t think of myself as an ace,’ said Lieber, who worked as if late for dinner, the main catalyst behind the 2-hour, 15-minute game. “It’s not like every game is going to be like this.’

The Phillies, nonetheless, did the little things well, a fundamental part of the game that continues giving the Rockies big problems.

“It’s frustrating,’ Miles said, “because it’s one of those games where you feel like you beat yourself.’

Staff writer Troy Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.