Philadelphia @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2011 ) Philadelphia 5, Colorado 0

THE STORY: The Colorado Rockies failed to uphold a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Monday's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. The disheartening 10-inning loss set the tone for the series as manager Jim Tracy's club was unceremoniously blanked 5-0 by Kyle Kendrick the following night. The Rockies' mountain will be even harder to climb on Wednesday afternoon as they'll try to salvage the series finale against Denver native Roy Halladay. Colorado has dropped seven of its last 10, while Philadelphia will vie for its sixth victory in a row.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Roy Halladay (13-4, 2.44 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jason Hammel (6-10, 4.65 ERA)

After suffering through a bout of heat exhaustion on July 18, Halladay has sufficiently cooled down the competition. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has won his last two outings - with his most recent start in convincing fashion. Halladay allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings as the Phillies cruised to a 10-3 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. Halladay boasts a 2-0 career mark with a complete game to his credit against the Rockies.

Hammel snapped a two-game skid with a solid outing on Friday. The 28-year-old South Carolina native allowed two runs on five hits in a 3-2 triumph over the San Diego Padres. Hammel has split a pair of career decisions against Philadelphia - although he permitted five runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-4 loss to the Phillies on July 26, 2010.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (70-39): Ryan Howard recorded his 27th career multi-homer game and Hunter Pence added a pair of doubles as the Phillies collected their 70th win of the season. While they enjoyed success on Tuesday, Howard and Pence have struggled against Hammel. Howard is hitless in six career at-bats while Pence is just 2-for-9. With Roy Oswalt (back) expected to return to the rotation against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, Kendrick was spectacular in what was likely his last start. He scattered four hits and struck out a career-high seven in eight scoreless innings.

ABOUT THE ROCKIES (51-59): Troy Tulowitzki entered this series on a 10-for-18 tear in his previous four games. He has cooled considerably after going 0-for-6 in the first two contests versus the Phillies. He left Tuesday's contest with an injury to his pinky finger on his right hand. Tulowitzki, who is expected to play on Wednesday, has never faced Halladay in his career. Carlos Gonzalez, who has been sidelined with a wrist injury, is expected to play seven innings in his first rehab game with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday. Should all go well, Gonzalez will play in three rehab contests before being activated from the disabled list on Saturday. Fellow outfielder Jose Morales will likely return to the Rockies later in the month as he continues to heal from a fractured right thumb.

FINAL PITCH: The National League-East leading Phillies own an impressive eight-game advantage over the second-place Atlanta Braves. No other first-place team currently holds an edge even half that large.