Instant Replay: Phillies 4, Rockies 2

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DENVER – Ryan Howard homered and rookie Severino Gonzalez and four relievers did the job on the mound as the Phillies beat the Colorado Rockies, 4-2, at Coors Field on Wednesday night.

The Phillies have won seven of their last eight games and are 18-24 on the season.

Colorado is 14-23.

Starting pitching report
Gonzalez made his third big-league start and handled himself well in a notoriously difficult ballpark in which to pitch. He went five innings and allowed just one run for his second big-league win. The right-hander was perfect through three innings, but gave up five hits and a run in the fourth and fifth innings and was removed for a pinch hitter after just 65 pitches.

Gonzalez became the first Phillies' starter since Kyle Kendrick in June 2008 to not walk or strike out a batter and still get the win.

Colorado right-hander Eddie Butler lasted just three innings. He gave up six hits and four runs, two of which were unearned.

Bullpen report
Jake Diekman, Luis Garcia, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon protected the lead for four innings. Papelbon earned his 11th save.

At the plate
Howard, Odubel Herrera and Jeff Francoeur drove in runs for the Phillies.

Howard smacked his team-high eighth homer, a mammoth shot to dead center. He also singled and doubled. Over his last 26 games, he is hitting .292 (28 for 96) with eight homers and 18 RBIs.

According to ESPN stats, Howard's homer traveled 454 feet and was his longest since Aug. 2011.

Chase Utley returned to the No. 3 spot in the batting order. He had two singles and a walk. He has seven hits in his last five games.

In the field
Leftfielder Ben Revere and centerfielder Herrera both had important assists to help get the Phillies out of jams. Revere teamed with shortstop Freddy Galvis to cut down a runner at second for his assist in the fourth inning.

Galvis had a strong game at shortstop. He and Utley combined on an important double play to end the eighth.

Pomp and circumstance
First base coach Juan Samuel will be away from the team on Thursday and Friday to attend his daughter’s graduation from law school. Assistant hitting coach John Mizerock will coach first base in Samuel’s absence.

Up next
The series concludes on Thursday afternoon. Jerome Williams (3-3, 5.02) opposes lefty Jorge De La Rosa (1-2, 6.56).

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