By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHOENIX — The Philadelphia Phillies (24-48) and rookie RHP Ben Lively will oppose southpaw Robbie Ray and Arizona Diamondbacks (46-28) Saturday evening in the second of the four-game series at Chase Field.
The Phillies took the series opener Friday evening behind RHP Mark Leiter Jr.'s strong showing in his Major League starting debut. Leiter Jr. tossed six shutout innings, as the Phillies' offense produced 12 hits and six runs, four of which came in the ninth inning. First baseman Tommy Joseph and third baseman Maikel Franco each went yard, while RHP Pat Neshek extended his scoreless innings streak to 16.
Lively will look to become the first Phillies rookie to throw five straight quality starts to begin his career since 1943.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (24-48) | Arizona Diamondbacks (46-28) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Ben Lively | LHP | Robbie Ray | ||
| (1-1, 3.33 ERA) | (7-3, 2.87 ERA) | ||||
Lively Career vs. ARI: 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, BB, 6 SO, 1.500 WHIP
For the first time in his Major League career, Lively, 25, will face an opponent for a second time in the Diamondbacks. Facing manager Torey Lovullo's club on Sunday, Lively received the no-decision in allowing three runs on eight hits, one walk, two home runs and six strikeouts through six innings and 107 pitches.
The rookie right-hander has pitched at least six innings in each of his four career starts, allowing no more than three runs, three walks and nine hits.
Ray Career vs. PHI: 1-1, 5.19 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 17 1/3 IP, 24 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 21 SO, 1.673 WHIP
Prior to Ray's most recent start, June 18 against the Phillies, Ray pitched to a 0.24 ERA and .115/.182/.164 slash over his previous five starts dating back to May 20. The Diamondbacks have won each of Ray's last six starts.
All-time against the left-hander, infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick is 5-22 with a double, home run, three RBIs, two walks and seven strikeouts. Kendrick currently own's MLB's third-best batting average this season (.355), minimum 130 plate appearances.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (24-48) | Arizona Diamondbacks (46-28) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Cameron Perkins | R | 1 | CF | Gregor Blanco | L |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | RF | David Peralta | L |
| 3 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R | 3 | 1B | Paul Goldschmidt | R |
| 4 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 4 | 3B | Jake Lamb | L |
| 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 5 | SS | Chris Owings | R |
| 6 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S | 6 | 2B | Brandon Drury | R |
| 7 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 7 | LF | Daniel Descalso | L |
| 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 8 | C | Chris Herrmann | L |
| 9 | P | Ben Lively | R | 9 | P | Robbie Ray | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 10:10 p.m.
- TV: TCN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
NL East Standings (entering June 24, 2017):
| W | L | GB | L10 | Streak | Home | Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nationals | 44 | 29 | — | 6-4 | W1 | 19-14 | 25-15 |
| Atlanta Braves | 35 | 38 | 9.0 | 7-3 | W3 | 19-19 | 16-19 |
| Miami Marlins | 33 | 39 | 10.5 | 6-4 | W1 | 19-18 | 14-21 |
| New York Mets | 32 | 41 | 12.0 | 3-7 | W1 | 17-23 | 15-18 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 24 | 48 | 19.5 | 3-7 | W2 | 14-20 | 10-28 |
What's Next:
- Sunday, June 25, 2017: at Arizona Diamondbacks, 4:10 p.m.
- Chase Field
- RHP Jeremy Hellickson (5-5, 4.61 ERA) vs. RHP Randall Delgado (1-1, 3.48 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
