Howard’s blast carries Phillies past Rockies

Myers (1-0) picked up the win after shutting down the Rockies over 7 2/3 innings as he scattered seven hits, struck out five and walked one in his third start of the season. Tom Gordon notched his fourth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.

Howard provided the only scoring of the game for the Phillies, who have now won four of their last five.

Aaron Cook (1-2) had his outstanding effort spoiled by a lack of offensive support, working eight innings and allowing just one run on six hits while striking out three and walking one.

Garrett Atkins went 3-for-4 for the Rockies, who outhit Philadelphia 7-6 but could not push across a run.

Philadelphia squandered a golden opportunity to get on the board in the sixth, as it had runners on first and third with no outs.

Cook faked a pick-off attempt to third and threw to first, catching Aaron Rowand in a run-down for the first out of the inning. Following a walk to Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell grounded into a double play to end the threat.

The Phillies finally got on the board in the seventh as Howard took an 0-1 pitch from Cook over the wall in right-center for a solo homer and a 1-0 Philadelphia lead.

With one out in the eighth, Cory Sullivan bunted his way on as he pushed the ball past a diving Myers. The next batter, Clint Barmes, flied out to left and Myers exited the game in favor of Arthur Rhodes, who was brought in to face Todd Helton.

Helton drew a walk, but the next batter, Atkins, lined a shot to right field that Abreu charged and caught on the run, ending the inning.

The Rockies went down in order in the ninth to end the game.

Game Notes

This is just the second 1-0 game in the 14-year history of Coors Field...Myers improves his record to 4-0 lifetime in Colorado...The Phillies still have not hit a triple this season...Matt Holliday had an eight-game hit snapped.