Adam Morgan returns to rotation as Phillies look for sweep of Rockies

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Southpaw Adam Morgan and the Philadelphia Phillies (55-63) will look for their fifth series sweep of the season as they face RHP Tyler Chatwood and the Colorado Rockies (56-61) Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Morgan rejoins the Phillies for his first start since July 7 — also against the Rockies — as he takes the place in the rotation for injured rookie RHP Zach Eflin (right and left knee patellar tendinopathy, right foot stress fracture).

The Phillies are 8-1-4 in 13 series all-time against the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Additionally, the Phillies have eight winning seasons in the last nine years against manager Walt Weiss' club.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Tyler Chatwood — Age: 26;

• Last Start: August 9, 2016, vs. TEX: ND, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 8 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (2-1), 4 G, 22.0 IP, 20 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 11 BB, 11 SO, 3.27 ERA

Chatwood will make his fifth career start against the Phillies, with the most recent one occurring on July 10 where he surrendered four runs on eight hits and three walks en route to a losing decision. He is undefeated with a 6-0 record and a 1.30 ERA in nine starts on the road this season.

Adam Morgan — Age: 26;

• Last Start: July 7, 2016, at COL: L, 5.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 SO, 3 HR
• Career vs. COL: (0-1), 1 G, 5.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 SO, 3 HR, 10.80 ERA

Morgan has dropped 10 of his last 11 decisions dating back to Sept. 4 of last season. During this stretch he has allowed 61 earned runs over 83 2/3 innings for a 6.19 ERA.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 1:35 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez has reached base safely in 20 consecutive games, a career high. He is the the third Phillie to accomplish this feat this season, joining outfielders Peter Bourjos (22 games) and Odubel Herrera (21). The last time the Phillies had three or more players with such streak in a season was 2008: second baseman Chase Utley (33, 23), left fielder Pat Burrell (30), first baseman Ryan Howard (22) and center fielder Shane Victorino (20).
• The Phillies have scored the second-most runs among National League teams in the month of August (67), trailing only the Rockies (76).
• In Saturday's 6-3 victory, closer Jeanmar Gomez became the 11th Phillies closer to reach 30 saves in a season and the first since Jonathan Papelbon in 2014, notes Meghan Montemurro.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Tuesday, August 16, 2016: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• RHP Kenta Maeda (11-7, 3.31 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (8-4, 3.94 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP