The Phillies (25-35) look to close out their series against the Reds (28-32) on a high note today at 1:10pm. After erupting for eight runs on Friday night, the Phillies suffered a disappointing loss yesterday, 6-5, after some costly outs at home plate. Once the Phils finish their game against Cincy, they will head back home to host the Padres and Cubs in the coming week.
Looking to rebound from the worst start of his young career, Phillies rookie David Buchanan (1-2, 6.11), will get the call in the series finale. His last outing was one he needs to forget, that's for sure. Buchanan gave up seven runs on ten hits against the Nationals in a 7-0 Phillies shutout loss. Before then, he was sporting a 3.86 ERA through his first two career starts. After the routing he suffered against Washington, the young right-hander knew exactly what went wrong. (via Phillies.com)
"That's what happens," Buchanan said. "You get into hitters counts, leave the ball up and they started hitting it. So I tried to continue to battle. Unfortunately, the ball stayed up in the zone and we got hit around."
The Reds will send veteran, Homer Bailey (6-3, 4.99), to the hill today. After surrendering six runs in just 3.2 innings of work on May 17th in Philadelphia, Bailey has settled down and had some nice starts since then. Over his last three starts, he has held opposing teams to three runs or less. Those teams he faced were no easy task either, facing the Dodgers, Giants and Cardinals. On May 28th, the Reds righty outdueled stud Dodgers pitcher, Clayton Kershaw, en route to a 3-2 Reds victory. He will look to carry some of that momentum into his start today. In his latest outing, against the Giants, the Reds got an early lead for him and Bailey was able to settle in nicely for the win. (via ESPN.com)
"We scored early," Bailey said. "They hit some balls and got some men on base, but I was able to limit the damage and I found a groove."
Game Notes:
- Marlon Byrd is hitting .389 with two doubles, two homers and seven RBI's against Homer Bailey in his career.
- Jimmy Rollins is six hits away from breaking Mike Schmidt's all-time franchise record for hits.
- Reds starter, Homer Bailey is 2-1 with a 2.55 ERA in day games this season.
- Don't look now, but Domonic Brown is heating up. Through the first seven games of June, the Phils left fielder is hitting .348. His average has gone up 16 points this month.
- After being posted in the original lineups, Wil Nieves was scratched and Ruiz will hit seventh. Why Nieves was removed is unknown.
Phillies Lineup
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Cesar Hernandez 3B
- David Buchanan P
Reds Lineup
- Billy Hamilton CF
- Skip Schumaker LF
- Brandon Phillips 2B
- Jay Bruce RF
- Devin Mesoraco C
- Todd Frzier 3B
- Donald Lutz 1B
- Zack Cozart SS
- Homer Bailey P
First Pitch: 1:10 PM ET
Location: Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, Ohio
Weather: 70° – Drizzle – 45% Precip
TV: CSN
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com.
