Phillies, Thompson aim for sweep in finale with Marlins

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (56-89) and right-hander Jake Thompson will aim for their sixth series sweep Thursday evening in the finale against RHP Jose Urena and the Miami Marlins (68-77) at Citizens Bank Park. It will be the final meeting between both clubs this season.

Update 3:30 p.m.: Former Phillies right-hander Vance Worley will now start in place of Urena, whose start was bumped back to Friday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Phillies came away with an 8-1 win Wednesday evening, as RHP Aaron Nola struck out a career-best 11 batters, allowing just one run in seven innings. Center fielder Odubel Herrera went 2-5 with a two-run home run, while first baseman Rhys Hoskins went 2-2 with a home run and three RBIs. The victory secured the Phillies' 13th series win this season and their ninth straight non-losing season against the Marlins, dating back to 2009.

Through 33 games, Hoskins is slashing .310/.434/.784 with 17 home runs and 37 RBIs. Hoskins is the fastest ever to 17 blasts, besting the previous record of 42 games to reach that mark set by Boston Braves outfielder Wally Berger in 1930, 87 years ago.

Most recent players with at least 37 RBI through 33 career games:

2017 Rhys Hoskins (37)
1939 Ted Williams (37)
1936 Joe DiMaggio (37)

— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) September 14, 2017

The Phillies have won five of their last six games against the Marlins, outscoring them 34-23.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Miami Marlins (68-77)			Philadelphia Phillies (56-89)
RHP	Jose Urena		RHP	Jake Thompson
RHP	(13-6, 3.61 ERA)		RHP	(1-2, 5.23 ERA)

Urena Career vs. PHI: 1-2, 5.34 ERA, 9 G, 5 GS, 28 2/3 IP, 31 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 8 BB, 24 SO, 1.360 WHIP

Urena, who turned 26 on Sept. 12, is 9-1 with a 4.09 ERA in 70 1/3 innings on the road this season. Conversely, the right-hander is 4-5 with a 3.17 ERA in 76 2/3 innings at Marlins Park.

The Dominican Republic native is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts and 12 innings against the Phillies in 2017.

Season Splits, By Month:

April: 4 G, 0 GS, 0-0, 2.92 ERA, 12 1/3 IP, 6 SO, 1 BB, .320/.333/.520
May: 7 G, 5 GS, 3-2, 3.23 ERA, 30 2/3 IP, 21 SO, 16 BB, .196/.318/.375
June: 6 G, 6 GS, 3-1, 3.78 ERA, 33 1/3 IP, 21 SO, 10 BB, .230/.305/.365
July: 6 G, 6 GS, 3-2, 4.78 ERA, 32 IP, 28 SO, 13 BB, .217/.308/.417
August: 5 G, 5 GS, 3-1, 3.91 ERA, 25 1/3 IP, 17 SO, 8 BB, .260/.327/.440
September: 2 G, 2 GS, 1-0, 1.35 ERA, 13 1/3 IP, 8 SO, 4 BB, .188/.264/.271

Thompson Career vs. MIA: 0-0, 4.91 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 11 SO, 1.273 WHIP

Thompson, 23, is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA through five starts in 2017, allowing 20 runs (13 earned) in 26 innings.

The right-hander has started against the Marlins twice this season and for his career overall — August 24 (5 ER, 5 IP) and Sept. 3 (1 ER, 6 IP); he received no-decisions in both.

Season Splits, By Month:

April: 0 G, 0 GS
May: 3 G, 0 GS, 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 5 IP, 3 SO, 4 BB, .316/.400/.579
June: 0 G, 0 GS
July: 1 G, 1 GS, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, 5 SO, 2 BB, .278/.350/.333
August: 2 G, 2 GS, 0-1, 6.30 ERA, 10 IP, 6 SO, 5 BB, .364/.462/.795
September: 2 G, 2 GS, 0-1, 4.91 ERA, 11 IP, 7 SO, 2 BB, .233/.283/.349

Starting Lineups:

Miami Marlins (68-77)				Philadelphia Phillies (56-89)
	Position	Player	Bats		Position	Player	Bats
1	2B	Dee Gordon	L	1	2B	Cesar Hernandez	S
2	CF	Ichiro Suzuki	L	2	SS	Freddy Galvis	S
3	C	J.T. Realmuto	R	3	CF	Odubel Herrera	L
4	1B	Justin Bour	L	4	LF	Rhys Hoskins	R
5	LF	Derek Dietrich	L	5	RF	Nick Williams	L
6	3B	Brian Anderson	R	6	1B	Maikel Franco	R
7	RF	Tyler Moore	R	7	3B	J.P. Crawford	L
8	SS	Miguel Rojas	R	8	C	Jorge Alfaro	R
9	P	Vance Worley	R	9	P	Jake Thompson	R

Broadcast Information:

First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
TV: CSN
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

Herrera has hit safely in 24 of his last 25 games since July 28. His season batting average stands at .292.
In 26 games at home since the All-Star break, the Phillies are 14-12 (.538), averaging 5.23 runs per game.
Injury Report:
- Marlins
  - SS J.T. Riddle (left shoulder slap tear), 2018 return
  - 3B Martin Prado (arthroscopic right knee surgery), possible late September return
  - LHP Chris O'Grady (right oblique strain), status uncertain
  - RHP Brad Ziegler (back), day-to-day
  - RHP Nick Wittgren (right elbow strain), out indefinitely
  - RHP Edinson Volquez (Tommy John surgery), possible late 2018 return
- Phillies
  - OF Daniel Nava (lower back injury), 2018 return
  - INF/OF Pedro Florimon (right ankle dislocation), 2018 return
  - RHP Jesen Therrien (right elbow strain, ulnar collateral ligament elbow damage), 2018 return
  - RHP Jerad Eickhoff (right hand nerve irritation), 2018 return
  - RHP Zach Eflin (strained right shoulder), 2018 return
  - RHP Vince Velasquez (right middle finger numbness), 2018 return
  - RHP Clay Buchholz (forearm surgery), possible September return
Active Hit Streaks (* indicates player is injured):
- MIA 2B Dee Gordon, 15
- PHI OF Nick Williams, 10
- PHI INF/OF Pedro Florimon*, 7
Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph is slashing .500/.500/1.200 through 10 career at-bats against Urena with three singles, a double, two home runs, a walk and five RBIs. Williams, who is riding a 10-game hit streak, has also previously homered against the Marlins right-hander.