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PHI@NYM: Lee fans nine, notches first win of 2012

The Rockies and Phillies are both trying to climb up their respective divisions, and they'll have a chance to do so when they face each other in Colorado after the All-Star break.

The Rockies' victory on Sunday against the Nationals gave them two series wins in their last 11 tries. Since taking a June 1-3 series against the Dodgers, they have dropped 23 of 35 games and seen their standing in the National League West slip from 9 1/2 games to 13 1/2. Philadelphia has lost three consecutive series -- most recently a sweep at the hands of the Braves -- and has not won a series outright since June 19-21 against Colorado. Last place in the NL East, the Phillies are in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since 2007

"It seems like I come in here every night and I say, 'Well, we didn't do enough to win, we didn't play good enough to win.' Things like that," Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel said. "I say it every night. Of course, the more we lose, the older it gets."

Both clubs have set their post-break rotation. The Rockies will hand lefty Christian Friedrich the ball on Friday, while Cliff Lee will start for the Phillies.

Friedrich has lost five of his last six starts, allowing an average of four runs an outing in that time span. The rookie has yet to face the Phillies in his career. His last start, July 5 at St. Louis, saw him yield six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

"Tonight had nothing to do with mechanics or control," Friedrich said. "It was purely mentally letting the game get ahead of me."

Lee notched his first win on July 4 against the Mets. It was one of eight quality starts he has this season.

"I think you guys made a bigger deal about it than I did," Lee told reporters afterward. "I keep things simple. I try to give the team a chance to win every time. I would have loved to have had a win a long time ago, but to me, it wasn't as big a deal as you guys wanted it to be for me."

In one prior series this year, the Phillies took two games from the Rockies at home.

Phillies: Not selling -- yet
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. insists his club will not become sellers before the July 31 Trade Deadline.

Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jonathan Papelbon, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and Hunter Pence are all under contract next season. Amaro plans on keeping left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels, too. If Hamels doesn't agree to a contract extension, he'll hit the offseason as a free agent.

"Our goal will always be the same: It is to be a contender this year and beyond, and to keep Cole Hamels in our uniform as long as he possibly can after 2012," Amaro said. "I think our best chance to continue to be a contender is with him and not without him."

Rockies: Tulowitzki could be back after break
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki underwent successful surgery on June 21 to remove scar tissue that was built up over a nerve in his left groin area, with the estimated time of recovery at that time being eight weeks.

When the Rockies return from their All-Star break, those eight weeks will have turned to four, meaning Tulowitzki could return by the middle of August.

Worth noting
• Vance Worley and Cole Hamels will start Saturday and Sunday for the Phillies.

• Jeremy Guthrie and Drew Pomeranz will start Saturday and Sunday for the Rockies.

• Tyler Colvin has hit five homers in his last 10 games, with 11 RBIs and a .286 batting average.

• Antonio Bastardo will keep the job as the Phillies' setup man, despite owning a 5.34 ERA. "I'm leery to just kind of give up on him," manager Charlie Manuel said.

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