Phillies catcher Jorge Alfaro set for first major league start opposite RHP Ivan Nova, Pirates

Frank Klose/Sports Talk Philly

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Another prospect acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies (64-80) in last July's trade with the Texas Rangers is set to make their first major league start in red pinstripes — Colombian native catcher Jorge Alfaro — in the second of a four-game set opposite RHP Ivan Nova and the Pittsburgh Pirates (69-73) Tuesday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

Alfaro, 23, joins right-handers Jerad Eickhoff, Jake Thompson and tonight's Phillies starter Alec Asher as active members on the roster acquired in exchange for 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player Cole Hamels and LHP Jake Diekman a little more than 400 days ago. Making his major league debut during the 6-2 series opener victory on Monday as a pinch hitter in the eighth, Alfaro successfully reached on an infield single down the third-base line.

Phillies starting pitching has had late success, having gone a season-high 10 straight starts allowing three earned runs or fewer. Despite posting a MLB-best 1.90 ERA (13 ER, 61 2/3 IP) during this stretch which dates back to Sept. 3, the team has won just four of their 10 contests. Phillies starters have additionally thrown eight consecutive starts without allowing a home run for the first time since May 4-12, 2010.

Asher contributed to both streaks, throwing six shutout innings during his season debut at Nationals Park on Thursday.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Ivan Nova — Age: 29;

• Last Start: Sept. 8, 2016, vs. CIN: W, 9.0 IP, 6 H, R, ER, 4 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (1-0), 1 G, 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, SO, 0.00 ERA

Nova was acquired from the New York Yankees on August 1 in exchange for two players named on August 30 to be minor leaguers OF Tito Polo and LHP Stephen Tarpley. In six-plus seasons with the Yankees franchise, the Dominican Republic native went 53-39 with a 4.41 ERA over 729 innings and 131 games. He allowed four earned runs in 8 1/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers in the 2011 ALDS.

In seven starts as a Pirate, Nova has yet to be solved by his opposition, going 5-0 with a 2.53 ERA and 0.928 WHIP ratio with two complete games (August 23 vs. HOU, Sept. 8 vs. CIN).

Alec Asher — Age: 24;

• Last Start: Sept. 8, 2016, at WSN: W, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB
• Career vs. PIT: N/A

Asher is coming off of his first big league win after posting a 0-6 record and 9.31 ERA in his previous seven career starts last season. He was recalled from Double-A Reading on Sept. 8 following the conclusion of his rehab assignment and 80-game suspension after testing positive for a testosterone-related PED in June.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• In 550 career minor league games within the Rangers and Phillies system, Alfaro hit .266/.326/.437 with 556 hits, 122 doubles, 18 triples, 67 home runs, 117 walks and 317 RBIs.
• Nova's only career appearance against the Phillies came in his 2015 season debut, June 24 at Yankee Stadium, as New York went on to defeat the Phillies 10-2 behind his 6 2/3 shutout innings. He struck out just one Phillies batter that Wednesday afternoon: then-first baseman Maikel Franco.
• In making his Citizens Bank Park debut on Monday, 23-year-old outfielder Roman Quinn went 2-4 with two doubles, two RBIs, one walk and a stolen base.
• The Phillies have won three straight games against the Pirates at home dating back to May 13 of last season. In these games, their starting pitchers — Hamels, RHP Aaron Harang and RHP Jeremy Hellickson — have posted a combined 3-0 record with a 0.84 ERA and 0.844 WHIP ratio with 21 strikeouts and three runs allowed (two earned) over 21 1/3 innings.
• Phillies outfielder Peter Bourjos is 5-11 with one home run and two RBIs spanning 11 career plate appearances against Nova. First baseman Ryan Howard is the only other active Phillie to have recorded an extra-base hit while facing the right-hander, a double.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• LHP Steven Brault (0-2, 3.38 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Thompson (1-5, 6.05 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP