DENVER -- With an important game in a playoff race the real issue, Rockies right-hander German Marquez got the record-breaking out of the way early Wednesday night at Coors Field.
Marquez fanned the first six Phillies he faced to bring his season strikeout total to 216, the Rockies' single-season record. Ubaldo Jimenez previously set the mark when he struck out 214 in 2010.
Marquez, 23, entered the night tied with Pedro Astacio, who fanned 210 in 1999. In the first, Marquez needed only 11 pitches to fan Cesar Hernandez, Carlos Santana and Odubel Herrera.