Colorado @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2012 ) Colorado 2, Philadelphia 3

The Philadelphia Phillies are hoping Saturday’s unexpected day off doesn’t slow their momentum. After nearly a three-hour rain delay, Saturday’s game against the visiting Colorado Rockies was postponed and rescheduled as a day-night doubleheader on Sunday. The Phillies have used a 10-4 run to move four games under .500 for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 months, and they’re 6 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild card spot in the National League. Philadelphia third baseman Kevin Frandsen will miss the next few games after an MRI on Saturday revealed a stress fracture to his left fibula. Frandsen, who is batting .336 in 34 games with the Phillies, was serving as the team’s regular third baseman even before Placido Polanco was shut down for the season with lower back pain.

The Rockies have managed only two runs during their three-game losing streak skid, but their pitching has shown reason for optimism over the past week. The Rockies had not allowed an earned run in 36 innings before the Phillies rallied for three over the final three innings to win Friday’s series opener 3-2. Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is nearing a return after playing nine innings for Double-A Tulsa on Saturday. Tulowitzki has been out since the end of May with a left groin injury. When Tulowitzki returns, the Rockies are expected to give rookie Josh Rutledge an extended look at second base. Rutledge made his first career start at second base on Friday.

TV: 6:35 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), CSN (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Drew Pomeranz (1-8, 4.93 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Tyler Cloyd (1-1, 2.77)

Pomeranz has a 6.53 ERA since the All-Star break, and he last just three scoreless innings last Tuesday against Atlanta before he was pulled after 72 pitches. In his only career start against Philadelphia, he allowed five runs over five frames on July 15. Pomeranz has pitched better on the road this season, allowing three runs or less in six of his eight road starts.

Cloyd is set to make his third career start after recording his first career victory against the Reds last Monday when he gave up one run over seven innings. The 26-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Aug. 29 after posting a 2.26 ERA and 113-to-41 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 167 innings in 26 starts between Double- and Triple-A this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Phillies have posted a 16-8 record in their last 24 games at Citizens Bank Park

2. The Rockies have a team ERA of 2.73 in seven games in September.

3. Philadelphia is 27-7 against Colorado since the start of the 2008 season.