Philadelphia – At just past 4 p.m., with drizzle splashing on the tarp at Citizens Bank Park, the Rockies stepped out of the clubhouse for the first day of the rest of their nine lives.
If they lost Tuesday, they would have been fitted with sports’ worst label: spoiler. Never mind their road issues or common sense that suggests, because of pitching injuries, they should need a telescope to see the division leaders at this point.
One night after grousing over a controversial home run lost, the Rockies outmuscled the Phillies 8-2 in a victory that was part power, part anger.
The win kept the Rockies 3 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres in the wild-card race and came with an accompanying glare.
“We need to play with an edge the rest of the season, like every out could make or break us,” said Matt Holliday, who clubbed two of the Rockies’ season high-tying four home runs. “That has to be our mentality.”
There was no getting around the Rockies’ bad mood. Manager Clint Hurdle, still stinging from Monday’s defeat, spent part of pregame interviews stumping for Major League Baseball to consider instant replay on home run calls. He wondered if it will take an umpire’s safety getting jeopardized before the movement gains momentum. Hurdle had some time to think about it, getting tossed in the ninth inning along with bench coach Jamie Quirk after disagreeing with a third strike on Todd Helton.
“I have nothing to say about it,” Quirk said.
Truth is, the Rockies’ bats spoke eloquently, providing an early cushion as 21-year-old Franklin Morales posted his first major- league win. Troy Tulowitzki extended his NL rookie record for shortstops with his 21st home run. And Helton ended a 68-at-bat drought, belting his 13th home run. For all the hand-wringing over the Rockies’ splits, which ignores the humidor’s dramatic impact since 2002, it’s obvious that Citizens Bank Park is a great place to hit.
It’s what Coors Field used to be.
“You can only imagine how many home runs that Matt would have if he played here,” Tulowitzki said.
It was a perfect storm after the rain, the Rockies’ lineup against Adam Eaton. Eaton has been tagged for six home runs in his past two starts, his 9-9 record defying a 6.31 ERA. Helton raised his lifetime average to .401 against the Phillies.
“We have shown we can bounce back,” Helton said. “Obviously, we needed this.”
As much as the show of force overpowered the box score, Morales provided an encouraging glimpse into the future. Relying more on location than velocity, he held the Phillies scoreless for five innings. He planned to call his grandma and mom to tell them the good news.
Hurdle, meanwhile, will be receiving a call from the league office. Another fine for another ejection. Still, venting felt much better in celebration.
“It just started to get dicey out there,” Hurdle said. “Everybody is a little passionate about what they do and how they do it. I just know it was a big, comeback win for us.”
Bouncing back
The Rockies have shown a knack for rebounding like Marcus Camby. Their recent victories after disappointing losses have kept them in the wild-card race:
Aug. 24, Washington: 6-5 win triggers sweep after a poor series vs. Pittsburgh.
Aug. 29, at San Francisco: Jeff Francis delivers season-best outing (8-0) to avoid sweep.
Sept. 2, at Arizona: Josh Fogg battles through shoulder pain to beat Brandon Webb as Rockies win 4-3.
Sunday, San Diego: Rockies beat Chris Young, 4-2, for first time at Coors Field.
Tuesday, at Philadelphia: After Monday fiasco, Franklin Morales posts first big-league win, 8-2.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
