Phillies’ Eickhoff Eyes 4-Game Series Split in Easter Finale Against Rockies

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

As RHP Jerad Eickhoff makes his first start of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies (12-8) will look to split their four-game series against the Colorado Rockies (8-13) Easter Sunday afternoon at Coors Field. Eickhoff and the Phillies will oppose five-year veteran RHP Jon Gray.

The Phillies snapped their six-game losing skid at Coors Field on Saturday, topping the Rockies, 8-5. Starter RHP Aaron Nola improved to 2-0, striking out a season high nine batters while allowing as many hits, three runs and one walk spanning 5 2/3 innings and 97 pitches. Hector Neris notched his third save, tossing the final 1 2/3 innings, with two strikeouts, on just 18 pitches. Bryce Harper's three-run home run in the seventh extended the Phillies' one-run lead to a much more comfortable four-run lead. Andrew McCutchen also added insurance in the ninth with a solo home run. Bryn Mawr native Phil Gosselin's three-run double in the fourth, however, was the club's most important play of the game on offense, as it turned a Rockies 3-1 lead into a Phillies 4-3 lead. The Rockies never led the rest of the contest.

Eickhoff, riddled with injuries during his Phillies tenure, will make his first start since September 28 of last season, and just his second start since August 30, 2017. Since April 14, the Phillies bullpen has posted a combined MLB-best four saves and 41 strikeouts, a fourth-best 2.30 ERA, and a fifth-best 0.99 WHIP ratio.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

RHP Jerad Eickhoff, Age: 28

• Career vs. COL: 1-2, 8.00 ERA, 4 G, 3 GS, 18 IP, 29 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, 11 SO, 1.833 WHIP
• Career at Coors Field: 0-1, 12.79 ERA, 2 G, 1 GS, 6 1/3 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 9 ER, HR, 2 BB, 4 SO, 1.895 WHIP

Eickhoff shined during his season debut last Tuesday, home during the Phillies' 14-3 rout of the New York Mets. The right-hander tossed four scoreless innings in relief of starter RHP Nick Pivetta, allowing just three hits and no walks while punching out six of his 15 batters faced on 59 pitches and 38 strikes (9 of which were swinging).

Eickhoff pitched so well that not only was he credited with his first career save, but he also earned a spot back in the rotation over Pivetta, who was demoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Rockies catcher Tony Wolters is 5-for-9 in his career against Eickhoff with a triple, home run, four RBI, and walk (.556/.600/1.111). Third baseman Nolan Arenado, meanwhile, is just 1-for-9 with a double and two strikeouts (.111/.111/.222).

RHP Jon Gray, Age: 27

• Career vs. PHI: 2-2, 4.11 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 30 2/3 IP, 22 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 3 HR, 14 BB, 35 SO, 1.174 WHIP
• Career at Coors Field: 19-9, 4.71 ERA, 44 G, 44 GS, 244 1/3 IP, 256 H, 135 R, 128 ER, 30 HR, 67 BB, 254 SO, 1.322 WHIP

Gray has allowed just one run while tossing no fewer than 6 2/3 innings in each of his last two starts, on the road against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. Gray's 1-3 record is deceiving, as in each of his three losing decisions, the Rockies have only supplied him a c combined two runs of support.

First baseman Rhys Hoskins is 1-for-4 lifetime against Gray with a solo home run, two walks and one strikeout (.250/.500/1.000). Harper, meanwhile, is 3-for-7 with a double and strikeout (.429/.429/.571).

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 3:10 p.m.
• TV: NBCSP
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Entering Sunday, the Phillies hold a one-game lead over the New York Mets for first place in the National League East. The Atlanta Braves trail by two games, the Washington Nationals by 2 1/2, and the Miami Marlins by 6 1/2.
• This series, Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon is slashing .500/.563/1.071 with three runs scored, four singles, one triple, two home runs, four RBI, two walks and four strikeouts spanning 16 plate appearances.
• Eickhoff and Nick Williams are the only remaining players from the Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman trade with the Texas Rangers in July 2015. Jorge Alfaro has since been dealt to the Miami Marlins, while Matt Harrison (retired), Jake Thompson (Korean Baseball Organization) and Alec Asher (free agent) are all not active on a MLB roster.
• Prior to Saturday's game, the Phillies recalled southpaw Austin Davis, infielder Mitch Walding and RHP Drew Anderson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. All three promotions were corresponding moves to the club placing RHP Victor Arano (right elbow inflammation), utility player Scott Kingery (right hamstring strain) and shortstop Jean Segura (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day injured list.
• Center fielder Odubel Herrera (hamstring), RHP Tommy Hunter (arm) and RHP David Robertson (elbow) are also on the injured list, with Hunter being the only on the 60-day.
• Harper has reached base in all 20 games this season. In 2018, Herrera reached base in each of the first 41 games. As Philly.com's Matt Breen notes, the only other time the Phillies had two players reach base in the first 20 games in consecutive seasons was 1976 and 1977 (Garry Maddox and Richie Hebner).
• During Friday's game, Harper became the first Phillies player to have five hits in a game since Juan Pierre in 2012. Harper has six hits over his last 12 plate appearances with two doubles, one home run and four RBI.
• Harper's career on Easter:
  • 3 G, 15 PA, 13 AB, 4 R, 6 H
  • 4 HR, 7 RBI, 18 TB, 2 BB, 1 SO
  • .462/.533/1.385

What's Next:

• Monday, April 22, 2019: at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.
  • Citi Field, Queens, NY
  • RHP Jake Arrieta (3-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. LHP Steven Matz (1-1, 4.96 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP, ESPN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP