Phillies take on Nelson, Brewers behind improved Nola

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

MILWAUKEE — The Philadelphia Phillies (29-59) and right-hander Aaron Nola will take on the Milwaukee Brewers (51-41) and right-hander Jimmy Nelson in the second of a three-game set Saturday evening at Miller Park.

After posting a 4.76 ERA through his first nine starts, Nola has a 1.53 ERA over his last four, all quality starts. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native has recorded at least eight strikeouts in each of these outings, throwing no fewer than seven innings.

The Phillies fell 9-6 in the second half opener on Friday. Rookie starter RHP Nick Pivetta struck out his first four batters faced in the contest, but soon after struggled as Milwaukee went on to score eight runs in the second inning behind a three-run blast by shortstop Orlando Arcia and a grand slam by left fielder Ryan Braun. Third baseman Maikel Franco went 4-5 with a pair of doubles and RBIs, while center Odubel Herrera hit a two-run home run, his seventh.

Right fielder Aaron Altherr, who began the game batting in the leadoff position, left in the fifth inning with a mild right hamstring strain after recording his second double of the game and 20th of the season. Altherr is now considered day-to-day.

A loss on Saturday would hand the Phillies their 22nd series defeat through 30 overall sets, having won just six and tied two.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Nola Career vs. MIL: 2-0, 0.69 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 13 IP, 12 H, R, ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 16 SO, 1.231 WHIP

Nola's 0.69 career ERA against Milwaukee is his lowest mark against a Major League club through 46 career starts.

The 24-year-old has 40 strikeouts since June 15, which is tied with Pivetta and the New York Yankees RHP Luis Severino for the 11th-most overall and the sixth-most in the National League over that stretch.

Season Splits, By Month:

• April: 3 GS, 2-0, 4.50 ERA, 16 IP, 15 SO, 6 BB, .317/.377/.413
• May: 3 GS, 0-3, 5.63 ERA, 16 IP, 14 SO, 5 BB, .242/.309/.387
• June: 5 GS, 3-2, 3.24 ERA, 33 1/3 IP, 35 SO, 11 BB, .220/.284/.350
• July: 2 GS, 1-1, 1.20 ERA, 15 IP, 17 SO, 3 BB, .148/.193/.241

Nelson Career vs. PHI: 1-1, 6.89 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 15 2/3 IP, 18 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 10 SO, 1.596 WHIP

Just one season removed from leading the National League in losses (16), Nelson, 28, has won six of his last seven decisions dating back to May 28. Over this nine-start stretch, the right-hander has a 2.56 ERA, 74-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio and has limited opposing batters to a .250/.297/.366 slash.

Season Splits, By Month:

• April: 5 GS, 1-2, 5.34 ERA, 28 2/3 IP, 23 SO, 10 BB, .301/.360/.460
• May: 5 GS, 2-1, 2.28 ERA, 27 2/3 IP, 31 SO, 6 BB, .245/.286/.387
• June: 6 GS, 3-1, 2.88 ERA, 40 2/3 IP, 50 SO, 9 BB, .238/.299/.364
• July: 2 GS, 2-0, 2.25 ERA, 12 IP, 14 SO, 2 BB, .283/.313/.391

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• TV: NBC10, Telemundo
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• In 12 career games against the Brewers, Franco is slashing .373/.407/.765 with eight runs scored, nine singles, five doubles, five home runs, 15 RBIs, three walks and seven strikeouts spanning 54 plate appearances. Through four career games and 18 plate appearances at Miller Park, the Dominican Republic native is slashing .611/.611/1.222 with three runs scored, six singles, two doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs.
• Phillies reliever RHP Luis Garcia has tossed 11 straight scoreless outings (13 2/3 innings pitched) since June 14, limiting his 50 batters faced to a .128/.180/.170 slash. During this hot streak, Garcia has allowed two doubles, four singles and three walks, while striking out 14. Only St. Louis Cardinals' southpaw Brett Cecil has a longer streak among National League relievers, 15 games and 15 2/3 innings.
• No active member of the Brewers has recorded an extra-base hit against Nola spanning 17 combined at-bats. Herrera, meanwhile, is 2-3 with two doubles and three walks lifetime against Nelson.

NL East Standings (entering July 15, 2017):

What's Next:

• Sunday, July 16, 2017: at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:10 p.m.
• Miller Park
• RHP Jeremy Hellickson (5-5, 4.49 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Garza (4-4, 3.98 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP