By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (12-17) and RHP Jeremy Hellickson will look to avoid being swept for the third time this season — as well as end their current five-game losing streak — in a Sunday series finale matinee against the Major League Baseball-best Washington Nationals (21-9) and RHP Tanner Roark at Citizens Bank Park.
Catcher Cameron Rupp provided the Phillies' only offense in their 6-2 defeat on Saturday, hitting a RBI single in the second and solo home run in the seventh. Right-handed starter Vince Velasquez suffered his third losing decision, allowing six runs (all earned) on seven hits and no walks through seven innings. Velasquez struck out eight batters, raising his season total to 34 through 33 1/3 innings. Phillies RHP Mark Leiter Jr. threw scoreless eighth and ninth innings on 42 pitches in relief. For the Nationals, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and third baseman Anthony Rendon supplied three RBIs each to power the Nationals to their 21st victory through 30 games.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Washington Nationals (21-9) | Philadelphia Phillies (12-17) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Tanner Roark | RHP | Jeremy Hellickson | ||
| (3-1, 4.04 ERA) | (4-1, 3.18 ERA) | ||||
Roark Career vs. PHI: 5-5, 3.49 ERA, 13 G, 11 GS, 69 2/3 IP, 62 H, 27 R, 27 ER, 5 HR, 12 BB, 54 SO, 1.062 WHIP
Roark, 30, is coming off of throwing a career-high 125 pitches in his most recent start on May 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The right-hander received his first losing decision of the season, where in six innings he surrendered four runs on six hits, two walks and two home runs while striking out eight batters.
The Wilmington, Illinois native last faced the Phillies on April 15 at Citizens Bank Park in a seven-inning no-decision outing, allowing a pair of runs on four hits and no walks. Hellickson received his second of four wins thus far in the Phillies' 4-2 victory. In 34 2/3 career innings at the venue, Roark is 3-4 with a 5.45 ERA and 1.269 WHIP ratio.
Hellickson Career vs. WSN: 2-3, 4.57 ERA, 8 G, 8 GS, 45 1/3 IP, 35 H, 24 R, 23 ER, 8 HR, 17 BB, 31 SO, 1.147 WHIP
Hellickson, 30, is coming off of his worst start through 38 career outings in a Phillies' uniform, according to Bill James' game score. Lasting just four innings against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 2, the eight-year veteran gave up six runs on eight hits, two walks and three home runs.
The Des Moines, Iowa native has struck out two batters or less in five of his six starts. His 13 strikeouts this season spanning 34 innings are the fewest among all qualified Major League pitchers. Former Phillies southpaw Cole Hamels is the second-worst in the category, with only 15 strikeouts through 32 2/3 innings and five starts. Hamels, 33, is currently out for at least 8 weeks, however, with a strained right oblique. The Texas Rangers placed him on the 10-day disabled list on May 3.
Starting Lineups:
| Washington Nationals (21-9) | Philadelphia Phillies (12-17) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | Trea Turner | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | LF | Jayson Werth | R | 2 | LF | Daniel Nava | S |
| 3 | 2B | Daniel Murphy | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | R | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | 1B | Adam Lind | L | 5 | RF | Michael Saunders | L |
| 6 | RF | Chris Heisey | R | 6 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 7 | CF | Michael Taylor | R | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | C | Jose Lobaton | S | 8 | C | Andrew Knapp | S |
| 9 | P | Tanner Roark | R | 9 | P | Jeremy Hellickson | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 2:35 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
NL East Standings (entering May 7, 2017)
| W | L | GB | L10 | Streak | Home | Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nationals | 21 | 9 | — | 7-3 | W4 | 9-6 | 12-3 |
| New York Mets | 14 | 15 | 6.5 | 6-4 | W3 | 6-10 | 8-5 |
| Miami Marlins | 12 | 17 | 8.5 | 2-8 | L3 | 5-6 | 7-11 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 12 | 17 | 8.5 | 2-8 | L5 | 7-6 | 5-11 |
| Atlanta Braves | 11 | 17 | 9.0 | 5-5 | L3 | 5-7 | 6-10 |
What's Next:
- Tuesday, May 9, 2017: vs. Seattle Mariners, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- LHP Ariel Miranda (3-2, 3.55 ERA) vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff (0-3, 4.00 ERA)
- TV: TCN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
