MLB: Philadelphia 7, Colorado 0

Philadelphia, Aug. 5: J.A. Happ threw his second shutout of the season Wednesday and was supported by three home runs in carrying Philadelphia to a 7-0 decision over Colorado.

The victory allowed Happ (8-2) to tie for the lead in victories among major league rookies. He struck out a career-high 10 and gave up four hits.

With Pedro Martinez making his final tune-up start in the minor leagues Wednesday, Happ's place in the Philadelphia rotation is in question and he made a major statement in his bid to keep his current job.

Happ, who threw a five-hit shutout June 27 at Toronto, also had his first career extra base hit when he delivered an eighth-inning double.

The Phillies ended a three-game skid and Colorado had a five-game winning streak snapped. The Rockies also slipped a half game behind San Francisco at the top of the National League wild-card race.

Philadelphia's home runs were a solo shot by Pedro Feliz and a two-run blast by Jimmy Rollins, both coming in the second inning, and a three-run blast in the fifth by Jayson Werth.

All of the home runs came off Jorge De La Rosa (9-8), who had won his previous seven decisions. De La Rosa went seven innings, giving up 10 hits.

Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki had a 10-game hitting streak come to an end.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.

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