Jesús Luzardo dominant in Phillies’ win over Rockies

After a tough first start of the season, Jesús Luzardo looked much better on Saturday in the Phillies’ 2-1 win over the Rockies at Coors Field. Luzardo, who allowed six runs in six innings last Sunday to the Rangers, allowed one run on five hits to the Rockies in 6 2/3 innings, earning his first win of the year.

Luzardo dominated the Rockies all night. He struck out 11 batters — five in a row at one point — and walked none. It was the eighth time in his career that Luzardo racked up at least 11 strikeouts. He also successfully challenged a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Luzardo relied heavily on his sweeper and four-seam fastball, with his fastball averaging 97.2 mph and touching 98.6 mph. The Rockies struggled to make contact against the Phillies starter. Colorado took 57 swings against Luzardo and missed 23 times for a 40 percent whiff rate.

José Alvarado replaced Luzardo in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs to face the bottom of the Rockies’ lineup. Alvarado walked the first batter he faced to put a pair of runners on base. But the big lefty struck out eight-hole hitter Kyle Karros to get out of the jam. Brad Keller pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Jhoan Duran picked up the save in the ninth.

On offense, Trea Turner’s RBI double in the fifth inning was the game-winning hit; it extended Turner’s hit streak to five games. The Phillies shortstop finished the night 2-for-4 and is now 5-for-8 in the series. Justin Crawford picked up the first stolen base of his career after singling in the seventh.

Taijuan Walker will get the ball for the Phillies on Sunday. He’ll be opposed by right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. First pitched is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET.