The Philadelphia Phillies open a three game series with the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants tonight at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. The Phillies dropped the final game of their three game set with the Reds 6-4 last night. Aaron Harang took the loss in his shortest outing of the season.
However, if you are looking to see former Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence, you will not find him at Citizens Bank Park tonight. Pence jammed his wrist on Wednesday night. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News notes that Pence is not expected to play before Sunday, and even that might be doubtful.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| San Francisco Giants(30-25) | Philadelphia Phillies (21-32) |
|---|
| RHP | Tim Lincecum | RHP | Jerome Williams | ||
| (5-3, 3.00 ERA) | (3-5, 25.49ERA) | ||||
Jerome Williams will get the ball for the Phillies. He will be in search of his first win since May 16th when he defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks. Williams has struggled to pitch deep into ball games all season.
The righthander has pitched six innings just once in his last seven starts. He has yet to seven in any start this year. He has also allowed three or more runs in all but one outing.
Lincecum is looking to rebound after taking the loss in his last outing against the Braves on May 30th. In that start he allowed eight hits and four earned runs in just four and a third innings. It was his first loss since April 27th.
Overall he is 4-2 in his last seven starts with a 3.46 ERA. Lincecum has been better at home though as he has not gone more than five innings in each of his last three road games.
Starting Lineups:
| San Francisco Giants(30-25) | Philadelphia Phillies (21-34) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Gregor Blanco | L | 1 | CF | Ben Revere | L |
| 2 | 2B | Joe Panik | L | 2 | RF | Jeff Francoeur | R |
| 3 | CF | Angel Pagan | S |
3 |
2B | Chase Utley | L |
| 4 | C | Buster Posey | R | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | 1B | Brandon Belt | L | 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 6 | SS | Brandon Crawford | L | 6 | LF | Cody Asche | L |
| 7 | 3B | Matt Duffy | R | 7 | SS | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 8 | RF | Justin Maxwell | R | 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 9 | CF | Tim Lincecum | L | 9 | P | Jerome Williams | P |
Game Notes:
- Williams was originally a first round draft pick of the Giants.
- Following last night's loss, the Phillies optioned LHP Jake Diekman to AAA Lehigh Valley.
- Freddy Galvis is 0 for his last 25 at the plate
- Cody Asche did not record a hit for the first time since being recalled.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN Philly
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
What's Next:
Saturday, June 6, 2015: vs. San Francisco Giants, 3:05 pm
- RHP Chris Heston (5-4, 4.29 ERA) vs. RHP Sean O'Sullivan(1-4, 5.03 ERA)
- TV: NBC10; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Philliedelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
