Feltner, Cron help Rockies snap 8-game skid, top Phils 5-0

By AARON BRACY Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Feltner tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings, C.J. Cron homered and the Colorado Rockies snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 5-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night.
Justin Lawrence struck out four in 2 1/3 strong relief innings and Pierce Johnson tossed a scoreless ninth to complete the shutout.
“Big for us, for sure,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “The effort’s been there, the preparation, the focus, the energy,” Black said. “We just haven’t done it between the lines.”
Mike Moustakas had an RBI double for the Rockies, who rebounded from getting shelled in a three-game sweep by the Pirates at home in which Pittsburgh outscored the Rockies 33-9 while accumulating 43 hits.
The Rockies had no such trouble against the defending National League champs.
Feltner (1-2) allowed just three hits and only two Phillies got as far as second base against him.
“Tonight was an indication of what he can do,” Black said. “We were scuffling and he stepped up.”
Control has been one problem for the 26-year-old right-hander this season, having walked 11 in 13 1/3 innings entering the game. But he walked three with six strikeouts in this one. He entered having surrendered 13 runs before blanking Philadelphia.
“That’s something I’m going to try to build on,” Feltner said.
Trea Turner doubled for the Phillies, who had six hits. Philadelphia has lost three of its last six games, with all the defeats coming by shutout.
“Little bit on us and sometimes you have to tip your hat to the pitcher,” Turner said.
Cron gave Feltner a cushion with a two-run shot to left in the first off Matt Strahm (1-2).
“Runs in the first really set the tone,” Feltner said.
The Rockies didn’t do much else against Strahm, who fanned a career-high 11 batters in 5 1/3 innings.
The Rockies tacked on a run in the sixth on Elias Díaz’s RBI single off Andrew Bellatti.
Turner led off the eighth with a double, and the Phillies had runners on first and third with two outs. But Lawrence struck out J.T. Realmuto for the final out.
HURRY, HURRY
Rockies leadoff hitter Jurickson Profar was called out on strikes for a pitch clock violation in the seventh. Profar didn’t get set to hit with the required 8 seconds left on the clock. Rather, he was ready with 7 seconds remaining.
BRYCE BACK?
Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper again took live batting practice before the game. The two-time MVP likely won’t go on a rehab assignment before his return from offseason Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, manager Rob Thomson said. Harper needs to be cleared to slide before he can see game action. He’s scheduled to follow up with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles early next month when the Phillies visit the Dodgers.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rockies: RHP Germán Márquez (right forearm inflammation) threw a bullpen session without pain before the game. He’ll throw again Sunday before a plan for his return is made. Márquez hasn’t pitched since departing early from a start on April 10.
Phillies: INF Edmundo Sosa was not in the starting lineup, but was available. Sosa hasn’t played since leaving Saturday’s game against the Reds with low back discomfort.
UP NEXT
Rockies RHP Noah Davis (0-0, 0.00) opposes Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (1-2, 5.91) in the second contest of the four-game series on Friday night. ___