Roberto Hernandez Leads Phils To Host Braves In First Series of the Year

Yesterday afternoon, the Phillies completed their first series sweep of the season with a 4-3 win over Miami. Backed by home runs from Ryan Howard (2) and Chase Utley (3) and six strong innings from Kyle Kendrick (6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K), the Phils moved their record to 6-6 and bounced back from their sweep by the Brewers last week. Tonight as the Phillies get ready to host an Atlanta Braves team that is fresh off of a series sweep against the Nationals, Roberto Hernandez (1-0, 4.35 ERA) will get the ball. Opposing him on the mound will be Ervin Santana (1-0, 0.00 ERA).

Roberto Hernandez took the no-decision on Wednesday against Milwaukee. Allowing three runs on seven hits through five innings, Hernandez marked a season-high nine strike outs while walking one. Making his third start of the season tonight, Hernandez will look to keep the ball down in the zone and keep the runners he allows on from scoring. In 10 1/3 innings pitched, Hernandez has allowed five earned runs and has walked two to compliment his 14 strikeouts. In one career start against the Braves, Hernandez is 1-0.

Ervin Santana made his Braves debut on Wednesday against the Mets and he was solid. Santana, who previously pitched for the Kansas City Royals, went eight scoreless while allowing three hits and collected six strike outs en route to his first win of the year. Santana set a Major League record on Wednesday as he threw 20 consecutive strikes to begin the game against the Mets. Santana has one career start against the Phillies – a win. 

Game Notes:

• B.J Upton is 3-for-12 with on RBI, three walks and four strikeouts in his career against Hernandez.
• Jayson Nix has two career homeruns in the only two hits he has against Santana in 11 AB.
• Tony Gwynn Jr. will make his fourth straight start tonight in center field.

Today's Lineups:

Phillies lineup:

1. Tony Gwynn Jr. CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Carlos Ruiz C
8. Cody Asche 3B
9. Roberto Hernandez P

Braves lineup:

1. Jason Heyward RF
2. BJ Upton CF
3. Freddie Freeman 1B
4. Justin Upton LF
5. Evan Gattis C
6. Dan Uggla 2B
7. Andrelton Simmons SS 
8. Ramiro Pena 3B
9. Ervin Santana P

First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Weather: 72° – Cloudy/Windy – 0% Precip
TV: TCN, ESPN

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.