By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHILADELPHIA — Seeking to snap their four-game losing streak, RHP Vince Velasquez and the Philadelphia Phillies (12-16) will face RHP A.J. Cole and the division-leading Washington Nationals (20-9) in the second of a three-game series Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies fell 4-2 in the series opener on Friday, as RHP Nick Pivetta — who made his first start against the team that drafted him and his second career start overall — allowed four runs on nine hits through five innings on the mound. Pivetta surrendered three solo home runs in the defeat to opposing pitcher Stephen Strasburg, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Strasburg improved to 3-1 on the season, tossing 5 2/3 shutout innings on a career-high 119 pitches. The Phillies' two runs came via seventh inning RBI doubles by center fielder Odubel Herrera and first baseman Tommy Joseph. Right-hander Jake Thompson, who was recalled prior to the game from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, made his season debut and threw a shutout inning in relief of Pivetta with two strikeouts.
Manager Pete Mackanin's club has lost 16 of their last 20 games against the Nationals since May 30 of last season. Over this stretch, the Phillies have been outscored 87-68.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Washington Nationals (20-9) | Philadelphia Phillies (12-16) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | A.J. Cole | RHP | Vince Velasquez | ||
| (Triple-A: 1-1, 6.63 ERA) | (2-2, 5.47 ERA) | ||||
Cole Career vs. PHI: 0-1, 5.79 ERA, 2 G, 1 GS, 9 1/3 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 HR, 0 BB, 15 SO, 0.964 WHIP
The Nationals recalled Cole from Triple-A Syracuse on May 2 to replace the since-optioned RHP Joe Ross on the 25-man roster. While RHP Jacob Turner was Ross' supposed replacement in the rotation, Cole will fill in on Saturday and make his season debut, given Turner's four inning shutout relief appearance on May 3 making him unavailable.
Ross struggled in three starts, allowing 13 runs on 20 hits and four walks en route to a 7.47 ERA and 1.53 WHIP ratio. The 23-year-old lasted fewer than five innings in two of the three outings, or 15 2/3 innings total. In four starts and 19 innings at Triple-A Syracuse, Cole surrendered 15 runs (14 earned) on 24 hits and 10 walks, yielding a 6.63 ERA and 1.79 WHIP ratio.
Given his May 2 recall, Cole, 25, has served the remaining three games of his five-game suspension delivered on Sept. 27 for throwing at Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang. Cole's errant throw was in response to Kang applying a fake tag while outfielder Bryce Harper was sliding into third base and subsequently suffered a left thumb injury.
The Winter Springs, Florida native is 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA through 47 2/3 career innings — nine starts and two relief appearances dating back to his April 28, 2015 Major League debut. Cole has never faced the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, but is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in two games against them at Nationals Park.
Velasquez Career vs. WSN: 1-1, 6.30 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 10 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 14 SO, 1.600 WHIP
Velasquez, 24, has won each of his last two starts, home against the Miami Marlins on April 26 and away against the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs on May 1. In his season debut against Washington on April 7, the right-hander surrendered four runs in as many innings on five hits and three walks, striking out 10 batters in the losing decision.
The Montclair, California native has lasted more than six innings in just one of his five starts this season.
Starting Lineups:
| Washington Nationals (20-9) | Philadelphia Phillies (12-16) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | Trea Turner | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | LF | Jayson Werth | R | 2 | LF | Brock Stassi | L |
| 3 | 2B | Daniel Murphy | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Zimmerman | R | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | R | 5 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 6 | C | Matt Wieters | S | 6 | RF | Michael Saunders | L |
| 7 | CF | Michael Taylor | R | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | RF | Rafael Bautista | R | 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 9 | P | A.J. Cole | R | 9 | P | Vince Velasquez | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes
- Over his last five games, Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr is batting .400/.520/.700 with one home run, five RBIs and five walks.
There could be an isolated shower during the first few innings of the Phillies game. Otherwise, expect partly cloudy skies, light breeze.
— Chris Sowers (@chris_sowers) May 6, 2017
- Herrera is hitless in five career at-bats against Cole with two strikeouts. Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, meanwhile, is 2-5 lifetime against Velasquez with a double, home run and two RBIs.
NL East Standings (entering May 6, 2017)
| W | L | GB | L10 | Streak | Home | Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nationals | 20 | 9 | — | 7-3 | W3 | 9-6 | 11-3 |
| New York Mets | 13 | 15 | 6.5 | 5-5 | W2 | 5-10 | 8-5 |
| Miami Marlins | 12 | 16 | 7.5 | 2-8 | L2 | 5-6 | 7-10 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 12 | 16 | 7.5 | 3-7 | L4 | 7-5 | 5-11 |
| Atlanta Braves | 11 | 16 | 8.0 | 5-5 | L2 | 5-6 | 6-10 |
What's Next:
- Sunday, May 7, 2017: vs. Washington Nationals, 2:35 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Tanner Roark (3-1, 4.04 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 3.18 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
