After last night's tough loss to the Nationals, they head to game two of the three-game series in the Nation's Capital.
Former Phillies prospect Gio Gonzalez will take the mound for the Nationals. The National League All-Star was 7-3 with a 3.03 ERA leading up to the Midsummer Classic. However, in seven starts afterward, Gonzalez went 0-3. However, Gonzalez has won three starts in a row leading up to today. His last start was his best of the year, a one-hit complete game shutout against the New York Mets.
Cole Hamels has the ball tongiht and has been solid the second half of the season. Hamels has not taken a loss in eight starts. In his last start, an eight-inning dominant performance, the team finally took the lead after he departed from the game to give him a win. In his last eight starts, Hamels is 3-2 with a 2.38 ERA after the All-Star Break. But the two losses are not equal. The first loss was a five-inning four run loss to the New York Mets. But the follow-up loss was a seven-inning, two-run loss to the Detroit Tigers. Since that loss, Hamels has gone seven or more innings each start, and allowed three runs just once.
Game Notes:
- Nationals starting first baseman Adam La Roche gets the day off against the left-handed Hamels; right-handed bat Tyler Moore gets a start in his place.
- The Nationals are swapping Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper in the lineup to break up left-handed hitters.
- Cesar Hernandez is hitting .333 in the leadoff spot with a .436 on base percentage.
Phillies lineup:
- Cesar Hernandez CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Darin Ruf 1B
- Cody Asche 3B
- Freddy Galvis LF
- John Mayberry RF
- Cole Hamels
Nationals lineup:
- Denard Span CF
- Ryan Zimmerman 3B
- Jayson Werth RF
- Ian Desmond SS
- Bryce Harper LF
- Wilson Ramos C
- MaryTyler Moore 1B
- Anthony Rendon 2B
- Gio Gonzalez P
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia and a retail employee, so he is busy selling office supplies like rubber bands and staples. Follow him on Twitter at @ErikSeyboldPHI.
