Jonathan Pettibone Aims To Halt Tigers From Sweeping Series

Last night was a terrible loss, 10-0 if you will. Raul Valdes was creamed and Max Scherzer cruised his way to his 15th victory of the year. Losing their 7th straight game, the Phillies are now six games under .500 with three days left until the trade deadline. Losing the first two games of this series in Detroit was pretty much foreseeable. Today the Phillies and Tigers will play the series finale and Jonathan Pettibone (5-4, 3.97 ERA) will take on Rick Porcello (7-6, 4.49 ERA).

Jonathan Pettibone allowed three earned runs over five innings on Tuesday in St. Louis. While walking three and striking out four, Pettibone was handed his fourth loss on the year after his team scored just one run. Pettibone has had shortened outings of late, collecting a total of 16 1/3 innings over three starts. In that stretch the right hander owns a 3.68 ERA and a 1-1 record. Pettibone will take on the Tigers for the first time in his career.

Rick Porcello threw seven shutout innings last Tuesday against the ChiSox, allowing just four hits. The right hander had gotten off to a shakey start, throwing 25 pitches in the first inning, but managed to settle down and take control of the game. In his last three starts, Porcello is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in 20 innings. In that stretch Porcello has struck out 13 batters, walked five and has received a total of 21 runs in offensive support. This will be Porcello's first career start against the Phillies.

Game Notes: 

• Delmon Young (.364 in 22 AB), Michael Young (.385 in 15 AB), and John McDonald (.333 in 3 AB) are the only Phillies who have faced Porcello.
• Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a home run in yesterday's win. Cabrera had not played for four-straight games.
• Steve Susdorf will be making his first career start in LF today.

Phillies lineup:

1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Michael Young 3B
3. Chase Utley DH
4. Darin Ruf 1B
5. Kevin Frandsen 2B
6. John Mayberry Jr. CF
7. Laynce Nix RF
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Steve Susdorf LF 

Tigers lineup:

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Don Kelly RF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder DH
5. Victor Martinez 1B
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Andy Dirks LF
8. Alex Avila C
9. Ramon Santiago 2B

First Pitch Forecast: Partly Cloudy – 65° – 0% PoP (Showers expected around 5 PM CST)

TV: myPHL17
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.