Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani
After last night's dropping of the second game of this three-game series against the Reds, Roy Halladay (8-7, 4.02 ERA) will look to take a series win against the NL Central leaders in the series finale. Looking to rebound off of a horrendous outing in Atlanta, Doc will take on Mike Leake (7-8, 4.45 ERA), who is looking to continue his recent string of success on the mound.
On Friday in Atlanta, Roy Halladay took the hill looking to do something he hadn't done all year: beat the Braves. It wouldn't happen. Doc was knocked around for four earned runs on seven hits and couldn't even make it out of the fifth inning. Although he was spared the loss, it was the second rough outing in his last three starts. Over his last three starts, Halladay is 2-0 with a 5.44 ERA. Halladay took on the Reds in one of those starts. Back on August 20th, Halladay was hit for five earned runs on ten hits over seven innings. Halladay got the win after a predicted pitcher's duel became a slugfest.
Mike Leake has won three of his last four games while posting a 4.15 ERA. The Reds' righty is coming off of a winning outing against the Astros in which he allowed two earned runs on seven hits. The two earned runs came off of two solo home runs. Over his last four starts (26 innings), Leake has allowed 31 hits while walking three and striking out 17. Leake last pitched against the Phillies on August 20th, a game where he was slammed for seven earned runs on ten hits over 4 1/3 innings in the losing effort.
At 65-71, the Phillies now sit 8 1/2 games out of the NL Wild Card with 26 games left to play in the season. The Reds lead the NL Central by nine games with an 83-54 record. The Cardinals, who sit nine games back in their divison, hold a Wild Card spot as of today.
Today's lineup at Cincinnati: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Mayberry CF, Brown RF, Kratz C, Martinez 3B P
TV: CSN ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94.1 WIP
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