Phillies Open Homestand Tonight Behind Jake Thompson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies open a nine-game homestand tonight with the first of three against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phils are back home after going 3-3 on a six-game California road trip that took them to San Diego and Los Angeles.

Tonight in the series opener, the Phillies give the ball to rookie right-hander Jake Thompson. This will be his second Major League start. His big league debut was a rough one last week in San Diego as he allowed six runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings in a 9-7 loss to the Padres.

Colorado will counter on the mound with right-hander Jon Gray. He is 8-5 and his ERA is 4.26. He made one other start against the Phillies this season, out in Denver. Back on July 8th, he allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings, getting a no decision in a game the Phillies won, 5-3. The Phillies and Rockies split that four-game series right before the MLB All-Star Break.

The Phillies are 53-63 on the season heading into tonight while Colorado comes to town 56-59.

KYW's Matt Leon spoke with Kevin Cooney of the Bucks County Courier Times about the Phils.