A.J. Burnett Looks To Give Phils Split In Anaheim

The Phillies dropped the first game of this two-game series with the Angels with last night's 7-2 loss. Jerome Williams allowed two earned runs through 5 1/3 innings in his Phillies debut last night. The 32-year-old, who was claimed off waivers earlier this week, took the no-decision as he struck out three and walked one. At 53-67, the Phillies are just looking to win to save themselves from complete humilation and will look for a win tonight as A.J. Burnett (6-12, 4.29 ERA) takes on Jered Weaver (12-7, 3.68 ERA) in the series finale.

A.J. Burnett hasn't won a decision since July 11th and has a 6.79 ERA in five starts since. His last time out, against the Mets, Burnett was hit 11 times for five earned over six innings. Taking his 12th loss of the year his last time out, Burnett surpassed his total of last season (11). Although he was a favorite to get traded last month, Burnett stayed put and will continue the 2014 season in red pinstripes and he will attempt to give his team a win tonight against the Angels. In his career against the Angels, Burnett is 2-3 with a 4.81 ERA.

Jared Weaver took his first loss since June 16th his last time out. On Friday against the Red Sox, Weaver allowed four earned runs on seven hits in six frames. In his last 10 starts, Weaver is 5-1 with a 3.71 ERA and has 45 strikeouts against 18 walks in that stretch. As the Angels are leading the AL Wild Card and looking to keep it tight with the AL West-leading A's, Weaver will look to give his team a sweep over the Phillies. In one career start against Philadelphia, Weaver is 1-0.

Game Notes: 

• Darin Ruf has off tonight as Marlon Byrd DH's and Ryan Howard plays 1B.
• In his last 30 games, Ben Revere is hitting .351 (34/97) with two doubles, a triple and twelve runs scored. 
• In the past week, Angels OF Mike Trout has struggled as he is hitting .160 (4/25) with 2 HR in that stretch.

Tonight's Lineups:

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlon Byrd DH
6. Grady Sizemore RF
7. Domonic Brown LF
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Cody Asche 3B.

Angels lineup:

1. Kole Calhoun RF
2. Mike Trout CF
3. Albert Pujols 1B
4. Josh Hamilton LF
5. Erick Aybar SS
6. Howie Kendrick 2B
7. Brennan Boesch DH
8. David Freese 3B
9. Hank Conger C

First Pitch: 10:05 PM ET
Location: Angel Stadium
Weather: 77° – Sunny – 0% Precip
TV: CSN

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.