By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHOENIX — Behind right-hander Mark Leiter Jr.'s first Major League start, the Philadelphia Phillies (23-48) will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (46-27) and southpaw Patrick Corbin Friday evening in the first of four games at Chase Field.
Leiter Jr. receives the call-up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley as the rotation fill-in for injured RHP Jerad Eickhoff (lower back strain). Leiter Jr. will start in the first of the Phillies' nine-game road trip, which will also make stops in Seattle, Washington (Mariners) and Queens, New York (Mets).
The Diamondbacks have won nine of their last 10 games and have the third-best winning percentage (.630) and run differential (+106). The Phillies, meanwhile, have lost eight of their last 10 and possess the worst winning percentage (.324) and the second-worst run differential (-94) — a 200-run difference between the two clubs.
Prior to the game, the Phillies placed RHP Casey Fien placed on 10-day disabled list with right rotator cuff strain. Fien has allowed seven runs on 14 hits, two walks and two home runs through four games and six innings in Phillies pinstripes this season. Outfielder Michael Saunders and RHP Jeanmar Gomez were also given their outright releases, just a few days after being designated for assignment by the club.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (23-48) | Arizona Diamondbacks (46-27) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Mark Leiter Jr. | LHP | Patrick Corbin | ||
| (0-0, 4.74 ERA) | (6-6, 5.19 ERA) | ||||
Leiter Jr. Career vs. ARI: N/A
Leiter Jr., 26, has appeared in 12 games out of the bullpen thus far in his rookie season, the first being a 1-2-3 seventh inning on April 28 at Dodger Stadium.
The right-hander has had varying success at home and on the road. In 9 2/3 innings and five appearances at Citizens Bank Park, Leiter Jr. has a 0.93 ERA, 1.034 WHIP and 7-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. On the road spanning seven games and 9 1/3 innings, however, Leiter Jr. has posted an 8.63 ERA, 1.607 WHIP and 5-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Corbin Career vs. PHI: 2-1, 5.60 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 17 2/3 IP, 16 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 13 SO, 1.189 WHIP
Corbin, 27, is 5-1 with a 3.45 ERA in eight starts this season at Chase Field.
The 27-year-old's most recent start was also against the Phillies, last Friday at Citizens Bank Park. In receiving the winning decision through six innings and 84 pitches, Corbin allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits, no walks and five strikeouts. Catcher Cameron Rupp went yard off the left-hander in the Phillies' 5-4 defeat.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (23-48) | Arizona Diamondbacks (46-27) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Cameron Perkins | R | 1 | LF | Daniel Descalso | L |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | RF | David Peralta | L |
| 3 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R | 3 | 1B | Paul Goldschmidt | R |
| 4 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 4 | 3B | Jake Lamb | L |
| 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 5 | SS | Chris Owings | R |
| 6 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 6 | 2B | Brandon Drury | R |
| 7 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S | 7 | C | Chris Ianetta | R |
| 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 8 | CF | Rey Fuentes | L |
| 9 | P | Mark Leiter Jr. | R | 9 | P | Patrick Corbin | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 9:40 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
NL East Standings (entering June 23, 2017):
| W | L | GB | L10 | Streak | Home | Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nationals | 43 | 29 | — | 5-5 | L1 | 18-14 | 25-15 |
| Atlanta Braves | 34 | 38 | 9.0 | 7-3 | W2 | 18-19 | 16-19 |
| Miami Marlins | 32 | 39 | 10.5 | 5-5 | L1 | 18-18 | 14-21 |
| New York Mets | 31 | 41 | 12.0 | 2-8 | L4 | 17-23 | 14-18 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 23 | 48 | 19.5 | 2-8 | W1 | 14-20 | 9-28 |
Game Notes:
- Since June 17, Phillies starting pitchers have recorded a quality start in a season-long five straight games. Over this stretch, they have allowed just nine earned runs in 32 1/3 innings (2.51 ERA).
- All-time against Corbin, Phillies INF/OF Howie Kendrick is 6-19 with five RBIs and four strikeouts (.316/.350/.316). Kendrick, 33, has the fourth-highest batting average this season (.350, 132 PA), minimum 130 plate appearances. He trails infielders Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers (.387, 210 PA) and Eric Sogard of the Milwaukee Brewers (.366, 133 PA), as well as outfielder Ben Gamel of the Seattle Mariners (.352, 225 PA). Over his last four games, Kendrick is batting .526/.571/.526 with 10 singles, two runs scored, two walks and four strikeouts.
- Leiter Jr.'s father, RHP Mark Leiter Sr., started 31 games for the Phillies in 1997 and finished 10-17 with a 5.67 ERA. The 17 losses lead the Major Leagues that season, perhaps warranting the Joliet, Illinois native to appear in 69 games out of the bullpen the following season.
- The Phillies have won each of their last four games at Chase Field since August 12, 2015. Their offense produced 11-plus hits in each of the four contests, and scored at least seven runs in three. The Diamondbacks are 3-0 against the Phillies this season, with their weekend series sweep June 16-18 at Citizens Bank Park.
- The Phillies are 3-10 against National League West opponents, 2-8 on Fridays and 11-32 in night contests.
What's Next:
- Saturday, June 24, 2017: at Arizona Diamondbacks, 10:10 p.m.
- Chase Field
- RHP Ben Lively (1-1, 3.33 ERA) vs. LHP Robbie Ray (7-3, 2.87 ERA)
- TV: TCN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
