By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
PHILADELPHIA — With another strong pitching performance last night, the Phillies have taken the first two games of the four-game series with the San Francisco Giants.
As with the first game in the series, last night’s showcase was won behind another strong start and the long ball. Aaron Altherr, Jorge Alfaro and Carlos Santana each hit solo shots that accounted for more offense than the Giants could muster.
Young ace Aaron Nola turned in his sixth straight quality start. Other than a bit of trouble in the second inning, Nola put together a masterful performance, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings. The biggest story of the night, however, was that Nola struck out 12 batters – a career high – all while not allowing a single walk.
The Phillies will send Nick Pivetta to the mound and look for another masterful pitching performance.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| San Francisco Giants (19-17) | Philadelphia Phillies (20-15) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Chris Stratton | RHP | Nick Pivetta | ||
| (3-2, 3.99 ERA) | (1-2, 4.76 ERA) | ||||
Chris Stratton — Age: 27;
- Last Start: May 4, 2018, at ATL: W, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 6 SO, 2 BB
- Career when Away: (3-4), 14 G, 9 GS, 59.2 IP, 49 H, 21 R, 21 ER, 23 BB, 56 SO, 3.17 ERA
Stratton was drafted by the Giants 20th overall in the 2012 draft. He made his major league debut for the club in 2016. He was primarily a relief pitcher used to close out games that were not high leverage before being transitioned into a starting pitcher in August last season.
Stratton was highly effective as a starter, posting a 2.42 ERA over 44.2 innings after the transition last season. He has carried that success into this season – allowing fewer than three runs in all but one start and completing at least five innings in all but the aforementioned start.
Stratton had a meltdown on April 28 against the Dodgers – giving up six runs on six hits and four walks in only one and a third innings pitched. In his other six starts, however, Stratton is sporting a stunning 2.68 ERA.
The Phillies could take advantage of Stratton’s tendencies to have deep counts. He has thrown 80-110 pitches in nearly every start of his career, but has only thrown seven innings twice. Additionally, players like Rhys Hoskins, César Hernández and Carlos Santana who walk a lot could work counts against Stratton – he has a career 49 walks compared to only 90 strikeouts.
Nick Pivetta — Age: 24;
- Last Start: May 4, 2018, at WSN: L, 1.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 1 SO, 3 BB
- Career at Citizen’s Bank Park: (5-4), 16 G, 88.0 IP, 85 H, 48 R, 46 ER, 25 BB, 105 SO, 4.70 ERA
Originally drafted by the Nationals in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, Pivetta was traded to the Phillies in 2015. The Nationals had a struggling bullpen and decided to give up one of their top pitching prospects for Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Pivetta spent the remainder of the 2015 and the 2016 season between Reading and Lehigh Valley before arriving in the Majors last season. While Pivetta showed flashes of potential, he ended the season 8-10 with a 6.02 ERA across 133 innings (26 starts).
The young right-hander took a step forward to begin this season with the Phillies winning five of the six games he started and posting a 3.27 ERA. Pivetta had a really rough outing last week, however, allowing six runs and being unable to get out of the second inning. Pivetta will hope to put that start behind him tonight.
Starting Lineups:
| San Francisco Giants (19-17) | Philadelphia Phillies (20-15) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Alen Hanson | S | 1 | 2B | César Hernández | S |
| 2 | RF | Andrew McCutchen | R | 2 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 3 | C | Buster Posey | R | 3 | CF | Odúbel Herrera | L |
| 4 | LF | Brandon Belt | L | 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 5 | 3B | Evan Longoria | R | 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 6 | 1B | Pablo Sandoval | L | 6 | LF | Nick Williams | L |
| 7 | SS | Brandon Crawford | L | 7 | SS | Pedro Florimón | S |
| 8 | CF | Gorkys Hernandez | R | 8 | P | Nick Pivetta | R |
| 9 | P | Chris Stratton | R | 9 | C | Andrew Knapp | S |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Center fielder Odúbel Herrera hit two singles in last night’s game and now holds a batting average of .346. With that average, he now leads the National League. He also extended his on base streak to 37 straight games – the third longest streak in Phillies history. Reaching base safely tonight would time him for second place with Jimmy Rollins.
- Phillies closer Hector Neris has converted seven of nine save opportunities this season. He has converted 27 of 29 opportunities dating back to last June.
- Phillies relief pitcher Luis García has stranded all 12 runners he has inherited this season and has not given up a home run since last August (36.1 innings pitched).
What’s Next:
- Thursday, May 10, 2018: vs. San Francisco Giants, 1:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- LHP Ty Blach (3-3, 3.60 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (2-4, 5.14 ERA)
- TV: Facebook; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
