Troy Johnston delivered a pinch-hit RBI double in the 11th inning, lifting the visiting Colorado Rockies to a 9-7 series-opening victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.
Johnston brought in automatic runner Willi Castro with the go-ahead hit off Brad Keller (1-1) and later scored on a Jake McCarthy RBI single. In the bottom of the inning, Juan Mejia induced a groundout from Bryce Harper with two runners on base to end the game, securing his second save.
Victor Vodnik (1-2) pitched two scoreless innings in the ninth and 10th for the Rockies, who secured the win despite squandering an early 6-0 lead.
Trailing 7-2 in the eighth inning, the Phillies exploded for five runs against the Colorado bullpen to tie the game. After Brandon Marsh’s RBI single and Bryson Stott’s two-run double, Justin Crawford made his first career home run a memorable one, knotting the score with a two-run blast to right-center off Jimmy Herget.
A five-run fourth inning had put the Rockies firmly in control. All the damage came with no outs, as Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo was pulled after allowing the first seven batters of the inning to reach base.
TJ Rumfield started the rally with a single, scoring one at-bat later when Hunter Goodman launched his 10th home run. Brenton Doyle and Willi Castro then scored on Kyle Karros’ two-run double, and Ezequiel Tovar added an RBI single to cap the explosive frame.
An RBI groundout by Rumfield opened the scoring in the first inning. It was an inauspicious start for Luzardo, who walked Jordan Beck to begin the game and later allowed him to advance to third on a wild pitch.
Luzardo, who had allowed just three total runs over his previous three starts, surrendered six runs on six hits across three innings, striking out six and walking three.
Philadelphia’s hitters struggled against Chase Dollander, who did not allow a hit through the first three innings.
The Phillies finally broke through when Kyle Schwarber led off the sixth with his 200th home run with the team. J.T. Realmuto’s RBI double with two outs in the inning chased Dollander, who allowed two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking five.
Tyler Freeman’s solo home run in the seventh off Tim Mayza was the only blemish for the Phillies’ bullpen until the final frame, as they otherwise worked seven consecutive scoreless innings after Luzardo’s early exit.
