Joseph’s 11th-inning single snaps streak
PHILADELPHIA » The Phillies’ hottest hitter came through twice Thursday.
Tommy Joseph hit a tying home run in the seventh inning and a winning single in the 11th, lifting Philadelphia over Colorado 2-1 and stopping the Rockies from a four-game sweep.
Joseph homered off Tyler Anderson and lined the game-ending hit against Scott Oberg (0-1) after Michael Saunders’ one-out double. Joseph has six homers and 12 extra-base hits in May after getting three extra-base hits in April, when he batted .179.
“A lot of it has to do with timing and a comfort level,” Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin said. “There’s no telling what clicks in a guy. It’s just a matter of making a minor adjustment sometimes.”
Jeanmar Gomez (3-1) pitched a hitless 11th is his return from a disabled list stint caused by an elbow injury. Philadelphia stopped a five-game losing streak, winning for the fifth time in 25 games. Colorado, which has the NL’s best record, had won four in a row.
Trevor Story homered in the fourth off Vince Velasquez, who allowed eight hits in five innings and struck out seven. Three of the strikeouts were by major league hits leader Charlie Blackmon, who went 2 for 5 in the game.
“I was pretty happy that we got to Blackmon,” Mackanin said.
Six Phillies relievers combined to allow two hits in six innings.
Anderson gave up hits in seven innings.
“Tyler was outstanding for us,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. six