McMahon, Hilliard homer in 9th, rally Rockies over Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pinch-hitter Ryan McMahon and Sam Hilliard hit back-to-back home runs with two outs in the ninth inning, rallying the Colorado Rockies over the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Thursday night.

Bryce Harper hit his 30th home run of the season to bolster his MVP candidacy, and the Phillies looked as if they were going to start a pivotal home stretch with a victory before the bullpen blew their 30th save of the season.

The Phillies fell 3 ½ games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East with a soft home schedule in front of them. They play 13 of their next 16 contests at home against the Rockies, Cubs, Orioles and Pirates, who began Thursday a combined 113 games under .500.

With a 2-1 lead, closer Ian Kennedy (1-1) retired the first two Colorado batters in the ninth.

After Colton Welker singled, McMahon drove an 0-2, 80-mph curveball over the wall in right to put Colorado ahead 3-2. Hilliard followed with a long drive to right.

“We’re trying to play spoiler,” McMahon said. “That’s going to be our gig. It was a lot of fun spoiling tonight.”

It was Kennedy’s third blown save of the season and second since the Phillies got him from Texas in a trade on July 30.

“Just bad execution,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said.

“It hurts a lot,” he said. “We can’t change it. We have to come out and play better tomorrow and find a way to put a streak together.”

Welker, a highly touted prospect, had a pair of singles, including his first career hit and RBI. Colorado snapped a four-game losing streak.

“That was a good win,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “Our guys have done a really good job of playing the entire game. To come here against a team that’s biting at the heels of the Braves in a playoff spot and our guys...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/McMahon-Hilliard-homer-in-9th-rally-Rockies-16447863.php