After last night's disgusting loss to the San Francisco Giants, the Phillies are now a season-worst 8 games under .500 as they head into the weekend. Thirteen and a half games out of first in the division, the Phillies have continued to fail at keeping it together in close ball games. Last night after Cole Hamels' brilliant start – Jonathan Papelbon came in to save the game but ended up giving up two runs and costing Hamels AND the Phillies the win. It's a joke at this point. Hopefully the kid that the Phillies have brought up in place of Cliff Lee's spot in the rotation, Ethan Martin (0-0, -.– ERA) will have a nice MLB debut as he takes on the Atlanta Braves in game one of a three-game set. Opposing will be Kris Medlen (7-10, 3.74 ERA).
Ethan Martin was called up yesterday afternoon as the Phillies decided to purchase his contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In 21 starts this season for the IronPigs, Martin has 115.2 innings, a 4.12 ERA, 107 Ks, 67 BBs, and a 1.30 WHIP. Martin, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Shane Victorino deal, has had issues with command but his fastball has zip clocking in at 93-95 as well as hitting 97 some times. It will be fun to see what a prospect can do for a desperate club. In correspondance to the move, the Phillies have put Jonathan Pettibon on the DL with shoulder strain as well as designating JC Ramirez for assignment. In response to Ramirez, the Phillies have selected Zack Miner's contract.
Kris Medlen is coming off of a solid win over St. Louis on Sunday. The right hander was able to keep the Cards in check, holding them to two runs in six innings while striking out four. Medlen has struggled lately, going 2-3 in his last five starts with a 5.50 ERA (16 ER in 26 2/3 IP). One of those losses, came from the Phillies on July 7th – his second loss to the club this season. In two starts against the Phils this year, Medlen has a blown up 6.97 ERA. In his career against the Phillies, Medlen is 1-2 with a 5.82 ERA.
- Ethan Martin will be making his MLB debut tonight as he takes on the Braves.
- Since moving into the leadoff role in the Braves lineup, Jason Heyward is 8-for-24 with two home runs and seven RBIs.
- Domonic Brown is scheduled to return to action some time next week.
Phillies lineup:
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Michael Young 1B
- Chase Utley 2B
- Darin Ruf LF
- Delmon Young RF
- Cody Asche 3B
- John Mayberry Jr. CF
- Erik Kratz C
- Ethan Martin P.
Braves lineup:
- Jason Heyward CF
- Justin Upton RF
- Freddie Freeman 1B
- Brian McCann C
- Chris Johnson 3B
- Dan Uggla 2B
- Joey Terdoslavich LF
- Andrelton Simmons SS
- Kris Medlen P.
First Pitch Forecast: Cloudy – 82° – 0% PoP
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.
