Phillies look to avoid 4th straight series defeat behind Velasquez

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Looking to avoid their fourth straight series defeat, the Philadelphia Phillies (17-14) will send RHP Vince Velasquez to the mound opposite six-year veteran RHP Tanner Roark and the Washington Nationals (17-16) Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park

Manager Gabe Kapler's club fell 7-3 in the series opener, with starter RHP Nick Pivetta retiring just three batters and surrendering six runs — including a solo home run to Bryce Harper. Harper homered again an inning later opposite RHP Drew Hutchison, who tossed five relief innings with a 39-minute rain delay inserted in between. Down 7-0 in the sixth, Carlos Santana and Maikel Franco each homered, their third and fifth of the season, respectively. It was the club's first Friday loss of the season, having won each of their four such contests prior.

The Phillies have lost eight of their last 11 games at Nationals Park, outscored 55-46 and outhit 99-91.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

RHP Vince Velasquez, Age: 25

• Career vs. WSN: 1-2, 6.14 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 22 IP, 22 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 4 HR, 9 BB, 27 SO, 1.409 WHIP
• Career at Nationals Park: 1-0, 4.09 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 9 SO, 1.455 WHIP

Velasquez has surrendered just one home run in 15 1/3 innings and three starts on the road this season. The right-hander has lost nine of his last 10 decisions dating back to nearly one year ago — May 6, 2017, which was also a start against the Nationals.

RHP Tanner Roark, Age: 31

• Career vs. PHI: 6-6, 3.96 ERA, 17 G, 15 GS, 91 IP, 84 H, 42 R, 40 ER, 7 HR, 24 BB, 73 SO, 1.187 WHIP
• Career at Nationals Park: 28-20, 3.40 ERA, 77 G, 56 GS, 380 2/3 IP, 346 H, 156 R, 144 ER, 40 HR, 114 BB, 308 SO, 1.208 WHIP

Roark is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA at home this season, allowing nine runs — eight earned — with a 16-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 18 innings. The right-hander last faced the Phillies on Sept. 27, and suffered a losing decision with six runs, seven hits and five walks surrendered in 4 2/3 innings.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 4:05 p.m.
• TV: NBCSP
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Franco has three doubles and three home runs over his last six games and 25 plate appearances. Rhys Hoskins, meanwhile is slashing just .083/.185/.125 with just one single and one double over his last 27 plate appearances and six games.
• The Phillies are in third place in the National League East and trail the New York Mets by a half game and the division-leading Atlanta Braves by two games.
• Scott Kingery returned to the lineup Friday — and went 0-4 with a strikeout — after sitting out Wednesday following a hit-by-pitch to his elbow the evening prior. Kingery is batting just .129/.156/.161 over his last 32 plate appearances (10 games) with two runs scored, three singles, one double, no walks or RBI, and 10 strikeouts.
• Center fielder Odubel Herrera extended his on-base streak to 33 consecutive games in the series opener with an eighth inning leadoff single opposite former Phillies RHP Ryan Madson. Herrera is 13-29 lifetime against Roark (.448/.515/.621) with eight singles, five doubles, four RBI and two walks.

What's Next:

• Sunday, May 6, 2018: at Washington Nationals, 1:35 p.m.
  • Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
  • RHP Jake Arrieta (3-1, 3.49 ERA) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (6-1, 1.79 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP