The Phillies (17-22) look to break their four game losing streak and 20-inning scoreless streak tonight as they continue their series against the Reds (19-21) tonight at 7:05pm. Off to their worst start since 2005, the Phillies looked lifeless last night to say the least. They were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Domonic Brown, who was 0-for-4, dropping his average to .214, said the he thinks the Phillies will come out of this slump. The Phillies lineup does reflect Brown's struggles though.
"It just comes as a team, man. When you struggle, everyone struggles. But we have some professional hitters here. I think things are definitely going to turn around for us. For myself, and for everyone. Right now, it's just not going that way. That's baseball. You just have to keep moving forward. Keep battling. That's it."
Tonight, the Phillies will send Cole Hamels (0-2, 5.32) to the hill. The Phillies lefty has endured a tough start to 2014, but his last outing against the Mets was a good sign that the ace may be getting back into form. He threw seven strong innings, giving up just one run on seven hits while walking three and striking out ten. The Phillies had the lead heading into the ninth, but because of the "unavailability" of Jonathan Papelbon, the Phillies bullpen imploded, resulting in a depressing 11-inning loss. Starting pitching is probably the least worrisome aspect of the Phillies and tonight should be no different. Cole Hamels is 7-0 with a 1.70 ERA against the Reds in 10 career starts.
Opposing Hamels is Reds veteran, Homer Bailey (3-2, 4.72). Bailey, 0-3 in eight career starts vs. Philadelphia with a 3.61 ERA, hasn't gotten off to the best start to 2014, but he pitched very well his last time out against the Rockies in a 4-1 win. He gave up a solo homer over 7.2 innings of work. Bailey struck out six and scattered four hits.
Game Notes:
- In two starts against the Phillies last season, Bailey threw 15 scoreless innings and struck out 13.
- Over the last seven games, second baseman Chase Utley is hitting .421 with three doubles, two triples and four RBI's. He has a career .286 lifetime average against Reds starter, Homer Bailey.
- In 16 at-bats against Homer Bailey, Marlon Byrd is hitting .375 with a double, two home runs and seven RBI's.
- With no Jay Bruce & Joey Votto, Ryan Ludwick is the most successful Red against Hamels with a .300 average, two homers and two RBI. Brandon Phillips has a lifetime .143 average against Cole.
- The Reds are hitting .179 lifetime against Hamels, not including Bruce & Votto
- The Phillies are averaging just 1.9 runs in their last 11 games at home.
- Tony Gwynn Jr. gets the start in center today and Domonic Brown moves to the seven spot in the lineup. He is hitting .133 in May.
Phillies Lineup
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Cody Asche 3B
- Domonic Brown LF
- Tony Gwynn Jr. CF
- Cole Hamels P
Reds Lineup
- Billy Hamilton CF
- Zack Cosart SS
- Brandon Phillips 2B
- Todd Frazier 3B
- Ryan Ludwick LF
- Skip Shumaker RF
- Neftali Soto 1B
- Tucker Barnhart C
- Homer Bailey P
Weather: 64°F – Partly Cloudy – 0% PoP
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
First Pitch: 7:05PM EST on CSN
Brandon Apter is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ApterShock
