Cole Hamels, Stephen Strasburg Set To Duel; Both Seek Win in Rubber Match

The Phillies got even last night. Domonic Brown led the offense, hitting a home run in the second inning and driving in another run later in the eighth. The bats weren't the only ones who helped win last night – the bullpen had a good part in it too. The Phillies would use Bastardo and Durbin to escape the seventh and worked out of another jam in the eighth using Durbin and Horst. The Nationals left two runners on in the eighth after the Phillies had taken the lead. The Phillies and Nationals are both looking for the win today. The Phils, who are a game under .500, will send out Cole Hamels (1-7, 4.45 ERA) as the Nationals send out Stephen Strasburg (2-5, 2.66 ERA).

Cole Hamels hasn't not had any luck at all this season. Either he pitches really well and his offense has nothing to show, or he has a bad outing and gets totally shelled. It has been more of the former as Cole has allowed no more than two earned runs in six of his ten starts. The Phillies haven't been scoring runs for Hamels and that's as simple as it gets. In his last outing, a loss against Miami, Hamels was yet again solid. Tossing six innings of two-run ball while striking out 10 batters, Hamels still failed to win the game as his offense could only mount a single run. Hamels has a good track record against the Nationals, owning a 13-5 record and a 2.57 ERA. So with a little luck and offense from the bats, maybe Hamels can get back on the winning track.

Stephen Strasburg has been on fire in his last two starts. Allowing just two earned runs on eight hits over 15 innings in that span, Strasburg has turned on the gears. In his last outing, a no-decision against San Francisco last Tuesday, Strasburg went seven deep scattering five hits and allowing a run while striking out seven. Command has still been an issue for Strasburg as he has walked 8 batters in his past three starts. The Phillies have seen the right-hander only twice and in those two starts, Strasburg has an 0-1 record and a 6.28 ERA.

Game Notes: 

• Domonic Brown is hitting .294 with 6 doubles, a triple, and 7 home runs while knocking in 21 RBI since April 23rd. He also has an .857 OPS in that 28 game span.
• The Phillies can be back at .500 with a win today.
• Cole Hamels has a 3-1 record with a 1.96 ERA at Nationals Park.
• Ryan Howard has the day off 

Phillies lineup:

1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Freddy Galvis 2B
3. Michael Young 3B
4. Delmon Young RF
5. Domonic Brown LF
6. Kevin Frandsen 1B
7. Ben Revere CF
8. Humberto Qunitero C
9. Cole Hamels LHP

Nationals lineup: 

1. Denard Span CF
2. Bryce Harper LF
3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B
4. Adam LaRoche 1B
5. Ian Desmond SS
6. Mary Tyler Moore LF
7. Jhonathan Solano C
8. Steve Lombardozzi 2B
9. Stephen Strasburg RHP

First Pitch Forecast: Sunny – 67° – 0% PoP.

TV: myPHL17

Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT