Gonzalez continues to rake in NLDS

DENVER -- Carlos Gonzalez speaks softly and, apparently, carries an awfully big stick.

From the looks of it, he might be one of the few that is.

Gonzalez spoke in hushed tones after the Phillies topped the Rockies, 6-5, in Game 3 of the NLDS at Coors Field, ever mindful that this wasn't the day or place to laud his own success at the plate.

Rockies at a glance 2009 record: 92-70 2008 record: 74-88 Clinched NL Wild Card NLDS matchup: Rockies at Phillies Postseason tix: Information WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Gonzalez: Bat on fire • Bullpen: Hitting stride • Gonzalez: Rewarding Rox • Giambi: Impact beyond bat • Tulowitzki: Ready for return • Cook: Returns right on time • Barmes: Credit to Tracy • Marquis: Living in moment • Ubaldo: Big-game pitcher • Helton/Giambi: Leaders • Stewart: Emerging star • Tracy: Quiet leader • Street: Mutual admiration • De La Rosa: Earning trust • Ubaldo: Sending a message • Helton: Resurgent slugger • Morales: On the attack • Tulowitzki: Vigorous finish More Rockies coverage • Rockies fall to brink of elimination Timely hits in short supply for Rockies Snow could shake up Rockies' plans Winter-like weather forces Game 3 postponement Postponements a postseason tradition Patience to play into Game 3 lineup De La Rosa could return for NLCS Rockies' run coincided with 'pen hitting stride Hammel takes unusual route to playoffs Extra off-day alters both clubs' options Resilient Rockies hold on to win Game 2 Torrealba provides rare gift Injury might be blessing for Cook Rockies put faith in Hammel Phillies can expect chilly reception Seeking spark, Tracy juggles lineup Bats silent against Lee in opener Ubaldo hits wall after fourth inning Rockies, Phillies filling familiar roles Colorado set to Cook up gem in Game 2 Wind makes for wild adventure in Philly Top of lineup is taste of future Beimel expects to draw tough tasks Injured De La Rosa to miss NLDS Rockies learned from run in 2007 Atkins embraces opportunity in NLDS Rockies not to be underestimated De La Rosa to test groin in 'pen session NLDS awaits after loss in finale Rockies fall in LA, finish with Wild Card Surging Rox trim deficit to one Playoff-bound Rox look to build on '07 Rockies clinch playoff spot, eye division Wild Card magic number trimmed to one Iannetta's walk-off homer lifts Rox Barmes' fantastic catch in question Rockies know focus can't diminish Rockies take rubber game from Cards Loss to Cards trims Wild Card lead Torrealba's sac fly gives Rox big win Gonzalez returns to Rockies' lineup Rox drop chance to extend lead Cook returns in heat of race

But how can you ignore what the 23-year-old left fielder -- Gonzalez turns 24 on Oct. 17 -- has done in the first three games of the NLDS against the Phillies.

Gonzalez will carry a .615 batting average into Monday's Game 4 of the series, one that the Phillies lead 2-1. One more Phillies victory and Gonzalez, his bat and the rest of the Rockies are done for the season.

"He's jump-started our team," Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler said. "He's swinging the bat well."

Gonzalez had three more hits on Sunday, giving him eight in three games. Better still, he hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and fell a triple short of the cycle. All told, he reached base four times, walking in the ninth inning.

"I really don't think about this being the playoffs," Gonzalez said. "I'm just going up there and playing it like it's any other game."

If the Rockies are to push the series to a Game 5 back in Philadelphia on Tuesday, they will need more than Gonzalez to help get them there. The Rockies were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position in Sunday's loss.

And now they'll get Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee in Game 4. It was Lee who held the Rockies scoreless for eight innings in Game 1 before allowing a ninth-inning run.

"Everyone should remember how [Lee] pitched them. Hopefully he's not as on as he was the last time," Colorado third baseman Garrett Atkins said. "It's not easy, but I like our chances."

Gonzalez has been one of the few bright spots for the Rockies' offense. The team is hitting .255 in three games, but just .200 if you take away the eight hits in 13 at-bats that its leadoff hitter has.

"I'm just trying to be patient at the plate, that's the whole key," Gonzalez said. "I'm up there concentrating, waiting for my pitch. When I get it, that's when I want to do some damage to it."

In some ways, Gonzalez's hot stretch at the plate is an extension of what he's done since the All-Star break, when he hit .320 with 12 home runs and 24 RBI in 62 games.

Better still, in the playoffs, the left-handed hitting Gonzalez has done most of his damage against three lefty starters for the Phillies, Lee, Cole Hamels and on Sunday, J.A. Happ.

"I just feel really focused at the plate, that if they throw me something away, I'll just go with it [to the opposite field] and if they come inside, I'll turn on it," Gonzalez said.