Blackmon piles on with 2 home runs

PHILADELPHIA » Charlie Blackmon has given the Colorado Rockies a cleanup hitter’s production out of the leadoff spot.

Blackmon hit a pair of two-run homers, German Marquez tossed six effective innings and the Rockies beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-2 Tuesday night.

Gerardo Parra also went deep to help the NL leading-Rockies win their major league-best 17th road game.

Blackmon has 11 homers and leads the majors with 40 RBIs.

“It’s all those guys who hit in front of me,” Blackmon said. “Our lineup is deep. There are no easy outs.”

First-year Rockies manager Bud Black isn’t surprised by Blackmon’s success because he sees the work he puts in. Blackmon even worked out lifting weights after a big game.

“He’s been swinging good all year and he’s really consistent,” Black said.

Blackmon gave Colorado a 2-0 lead in the third inning when he hit a long homer off the advertising sign on the facing of the second deck in right-center. He connected again in the fourth to make it 7-1.

Blackmon has hit seven homers in his last five games in Philadelphia since Aug. 12, 2016. He has more home runs in his last five games against the Phillies than he has against 25 other teams in his career.

“I just see the ball good here and I like playing here,” Blackmon said after his third multihomer game in Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies are 4-19 since an 11-9 start.

“We’re in a big rut right now,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. “I know we’re better than this.”

Zach Eflin (0-2) was roughed up by Blackmon and the Rockies. He gave up eight runs and 10 hits in six innings.

“I got behind in the count too much,” Eflin said.

The Phillies got their first run when Andres Blanco walked with the bases loaded in the third. Odubel Herrera followed with a double-play grounder to end the potential rally.

Andrew Knapp hit a homer in the ninth off Chad Qualls.

Zach Eflin couldn’t keep pitches down ...

... and Bob McClure’s mound advice didn’t help.