The Phillies may have traded two-thirds of their outfield yesterday after a dismal first-half of the season, resulting in a fire sale in the Phillie's front office, but they came right out of the gates last night and pounced on Stephen Strasburg to take game one of this three game set. After an 8-0 victory in game one, the Phils are looking to take the series away from the Nats as early as game two. Tonight Vance Worley (5-6, 3.88 ERA) will take on Edwin Jackson (6-6, 3.52 ERA) in an effort to take this series early from their first-place division rivals.
In Worley's last start, against the Brewers on Wednesday, he tossed 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball. The righthander allowed 10 hits while walking one and striking out six. Worley managed into the no-decision aftrer he left the game with the lead. Things turned bad in the 8th when the bullpen allowed the game to tie. The Phils mounted a come back to win the game in extra innings, their third "comeback win" in a row against the Brewers. Worley is looking for consistency in his outings. Struggling in his last five starts, Worley is 1-2 with a 6.43 ERA in that span. Opponents are hitting .353 with a .954 OBPS against him. Worley pitched against the Nats once before this season, a loss where he allowed five earned runs through six innings. In his career against the Nats, Worley is 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA.
In Edwin Jackson's last start on Thursday, also against the Brewers, he tossed seven scoreless innings to get the win, his sixth of the year. Jackson allowed eight hits, a walk and struck out four Brewers. Jackson has faced the Phillies this season, back on May 23. In that game, Jackson allowed three earned runs on seven hits through seven innings to receive the loss. In his career against the Phillies, Jackson is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA.
The Phillies sit 11 games under .500 and remain 15 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East and sit 13 games back in the NL Wild Card. The Nationals (61-41) sit 2 1/2 games ahead of the Braves in the division.
Nate Schierholtz, who the Phillies acquired from the Giants yesterday in the Hunter Pence trade, will make his Phillies debut tonight in the two hole at right field. Schierholtz is batting .257 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI in 77 games this season.
Tonight's lineup @ Washington:
- Rollins SS
- Schierholtz RF
- Utley 2B
- Howard 1B
- Mayberry CF
- Brown LF
- Frandsen 3B
- Kratz C
- Worley P.
TV: CSN ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
