Major League Baseball

Phillies-Rockies game rained out

Published May. 12, 2010 3:17 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Even with a cold, steady rain drenching Coors Field and puddles overtaking the tarp, the last thing the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies wanted was a night off.

Now they're scheduled for a day-night doubleheader Wednesday - when the forecast calls for snow - to make up for Tuesday night's rainout.

``It's Denver,'' Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook said. ``It could blow through tonight and be 55 degrees and beautiful tomorrow.''

Or it could be 25 degrees with sleet, snow and whipping winds.

``If it wasn't raining, I'd much rather just get the game in,'' Colorado third baseman Ian Stewart said. ``It's not easy, it's not fun to play a double-header. It's not like in the minor leagues where it's two 7s.''

The pitching matchups remain the same with Phillies ace Roy Halladay (6-1) making his first start in his native Colorado since high school in the opener at 1:10 p.m. Mountain Time.

He'll face Cook (1-3).

In the 6:40 p.m. nightcap, it will be Jamie Moyer (4-2) for Philadelphia facing Jason Hammel (0-2), who will be activated from the 15-day disabled list, where he landed with a strained right groin last month, the result of a mechanical flaw in his delivery.

Hammel said the injury isn't an issue anymore, so he doesn't mind pitching a night game rather than a day game in his return.

``Hopefully we'll get to play,'' Hammel said. ``It's supposed to be another nasty one tomorrow.''

The worries about Wednesday spoiled some of the respite Tuesday.

``You still got your work in, you still did everything you do mentally and physically to prepare for a game without having to go through the actual grind of the game,'' Stewart said. ``It will be nice on your body, but you'll be right back to square one after two games tomorrow.

``We may only get one in tomorrow, we may not get any.''

The rainout meant that Rockies RBIs leader Carlos Gonzalez will only have missed two games during his three-day bereavement leave to attend an uncle's funeral in Venezuela. He'll be available for both games Wednesday.

Also, the Rockies had planned to replace lefty Franklin Morales (weak left shoulder) with right-hander Edgmer Escalona on the roster. But Escalona was sent back to Triple-A Colorado Springs once Tuesday night's game was rained out.

Instead, Hammel will replace Morales when he's activated before Wednesday's nightcap.

The rainout also aided Philadelphia's ailing bullpen.

Closer Brad Lidge said he felt some stiffness in his right elbow after picking up his first save of the season Sunday against Atlanta and he wasn't available Monday night in Denver, when Jose Contreras pitched the ninth instead.

Before the game was called off, Manuel said he didn't know who his closer would be Tuesday night but that he certainly wouldn't put Lidge on the mound in any situation.

Lidge had surgery on his right elbow after the World Series and said he was told to expect some setbacks like this. He received a cortisone shot in March and spent last month rehabbing.

``We'll have to monitor him on a day-to-day basis,'' Phillies assistant Scott Proefrock said.

He said Lidge wasn't scheduled for an MRI at this point, however.

Asked if he needed to get another pitcher in quickly with Lidge hurting, Proefrock said: ``I think we have a couple of fresh arms. (David) Herndon threw four pitches last night and when was the last time (Nelson) Figueroa pitched?''

That was May 3 against St. Louis.

``We have an off day on Thursday,'' Proefrock said. ``And who knows if we'll play Wednesday?''

NOTES: LHP Jeff Francis threw 85 pitches in his second rehab start at Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday. He surrendered no runs on six hits with no walks and two strikeouts. His fastball averaged 86 mph and topped out at 89. ``Very Jeff Francis-like,'' Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. ``I think by the results of those numbers, he found his fastball command today.'' Tracy said Francis was on his way back to Denver for re-evaluation.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball