Photo: Philliedelphia/Frank Klose
Tyler Cloyd bailed the Phillies out on the game that started Saturday, August 24. In the early hours of Sunday August 25, Cloyd abandoned his original plan to start Sunday's 1:05 game and gave the Phillies five shutout innings and even contributed a double to the offense. So what did that remarkable feat get Cloyd? A demotion to the minors.
The Phillies were stuck and needed another pitcher (two, actually) for the next day, so Cloyd was the tough-luck demotion. After rosters expanded, Cloyd took Ethan Martin's spot in the rotation and this will be his first chance to make a start since returning. In between his extra-inning performance for the big club, Cloyd started on August 30th for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, going six innings and giving up one earned run in an Iron Pigs win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders.
Cloyd's catcher will be Cameron Rupp. The two spent some time together at AAA Lehigh Valley, so Cloyd is the perfect opportunity for Rupp to make his Major League debut. Rupp caught four of Cloyd's starts with the Iron Pigs, so the familiarity with each other's abilities are there. Rupp has not played since being summoned by the Phillies after the AAA season ended.
The Phillies will face Padres (ace?) Andrew Cashner. Cashner is an even 8-8 with a 3.45 ERA, the lowest in the Padres rotation. Cashner began the season in the Padres bullpen, but after five bullpen appearances joined the rotation and has been one of their most consistent starters. Cashner has allowed three earned runs or fewer in every start he has made since July 5. Cashner has gone seven innings in five of his six last starts.
Game Notes:
- Darin Ruf returns to right field after playing mostly left field and first base since Domonic Brown went down with his heel injury.
- Cesar Hernandez has hit .318 with a .432 on base percentage since taking over the leadoff spot for the Phillies. He gets his first day off since.
- Kyle Blanks returns home this weekend. Blanks is from Souderton, PA.
Phillies lineup:
- Roger Bernadina CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Darin Ruf RF
- Kevin Frandsen 1B
- Cody Asche 3B
- Freddy Galvis LF
- Cameron Rupp C
- Tyler Cloyd P
Padres lineup:
- Will Veneble RF
- Chris Denorfia LF
- Jedd Gyorko 2B
- Chase Headley 3B
- Kyle Blanks 1B
- Alexi Amarista CF
- Ronny Cedeno SS
- Rene Rivera C
- Andrew Cashner P
