Chase Utley Returns As Cole Hamels, Phillies Set Out Against Mets In Series Opener

After a long day off following a series win over the Nationals, the Phillies are ready to kick it in to gear again for another 10 straight games. On Wednesday the Phillies failed to sweep the Nationals, but still came away with a series win. Sitting three games under .500 and 7 1/2 games out of first, the Phillies will look to turn around from Wednesday's loss as they open up a three-game set with the New York Mets. Cole Hamels (2-10, 4.40 ERA) will take on Jeremy Hefner (1-6, 3.96 ERA) in the series opener this evening.

Cole Hamels lost yet again his last time out despite allowing three earned runs in seven innings. Hamels allowed six hits, two walks, and struck out seven en route to his 10th loss of the year. Jhoulys Chacin held the Phillies scoreless until two outs in the ninth in that game, so blame it on the offense again. Hamels is 1-1 with 2.70 ERA in his last three starts and has struck out 23 hitters opposite three walks. Hamels' first win of the season, which came back on April 28th, was against the Mets. The lefthander held the Mets to one run on two hits through six innings. In his career against New York, Hamels is 6-10 with a 4.20 ERA. 

Jeremy Hefner was the recipient of a tough-luck outing on Sunday against the Cubs, but was able to escape without a loss. The right hander pitched five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out five. Hefner has allowed just three earned runs over his last three starts (18 IP), giving him a 1.50 ERA in that stretch. The only bad side of that stretch is that Hefner is 0-1, having received no run support. He will hope for the better tonight when he pitches against Philadelphia for the second time this season. Back on April 10, Hefner was rocked for five earned runs in three innings. In three career starts against the Phils, Hefner is 1-2 with a 15.86 ERA.

The Man Returns

Chase Utley is back in the lineup tonight after spending nearly a month on the DL with a strained oblique muscle. In response to Utley returning, the Phillies optioned Michael Martinez to Triple-A. In the 44 games he has played this season, Utley is hitting .272 with 7 HR and 25 RBI.

Game Notes:

• Chase Utley is back in the lineup after spending nearly a month on the DL.
• Numerous hitters are batting a combined 11-for-21 with four walks against Hefner. Jimmy Rollins is 3-for-7, and Domonic Brown and Ryan Howard have each reached base in all three of their plate appearances.
• The Mets have defeated the Phillies in three of their past four at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillies lineup:

1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Chase Utley 2B
3. Michael Young 3B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Domonic Brown LF
6. Delmon Young RF
7. Ben Revere CF
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Cole Hamels P

Mets lineup:

1. Eric Young Jr. LF
2. Daniel Murphy 2B
3. David Wright 3B
4. Marlon Byrd RF
5. Lucas Duda 1B
6. Anthony Recker C
7. Juan Lagares CF
8. Omar Quintanilla SS
9. Jeremy Hefner P

First Pitch Forecast: Sunny – 79° – 0% PoP

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Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

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