Phillies, Pivetta aim to even series against Braves

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies (9-6) will aim to avoid their third series defeat of the season Tuesday evening, as RHP Nick Pivetta opposes RHP Mike Foltynewicz and the Atlanta Braves (9-6) at SunTrust Park.

The Braves and Julio Teheran snapped the Phillies' six-game win streak with a 2-1 win in Monday evening's series opener, despite being outhit by Gabe Kapler's squad, 6-4. Teheran tossed six innings and allowed only five hits and one run, a solo shot to Odubel Herrera in the first.

Herrera affected the game more so on defensive miscues, however. MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes:

Herrera ripped a solo home run to center field in the first inning to hand the Phils the lead, but got thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double in the third, then gave Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies an extra step or two to score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth when he didn't call for a fly ball in shallow right-center field.

Rhys Hoskins doubled and walked three times in the loss, raising his on-base percentage to .508. Phillies starter Aaron Nola similarly tossed six innings and allowed a pair of runs on 85 pitches. Victor Arano threw two perfect frames in relief.

The Phillies have dropped seven of their last nine games against the Braves since August 30.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

RHP Nick Pivetta, Age: 25

• Career vs. ATL: 3-0, 3.00 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 21 IP, 19 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 16 SO, 1.238 WHIP
• Career at SunTrust Park: 2-0, 3.60 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 15 IP, 16 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 11 SO, 1.467 WHIP

The Phillies have won each of Pivetta's last seven starts since Sept. 12. Over this stretch, Pivetta is 4-0 with a 3.26 ERA, 42-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.138 WHIP through 38 2/3 innnings. Pivetta surrendered two runs or less in five of the seven outings and has not surrendered a home run in five consecutive starts.

RHP Mike Foltynewicz, Age: 26

• Career vs. PHI: 3-2, 4.39 ERA, 8 G, 7 GS, 41 IP, 41 H, 21 R, 20 ER, 8 HR, 15 BB, 42 SO, 1.366 WHIP
• Career at SunTrust Park: 6-5, 3.78 ERA, 14 G, 14 GS, 78 2/3 IP, 83 H, 35 R, 33 ER, 8 HR, 28 BB, 79 SO, 1.411 WHIP

The Braves have lost nine of Foltynewicz's last 10 starts since August 11. Over this stretch, the right-hander is 1-8 with a 6.33 ERA, 46-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.655 WHIP. Foltynewicz last faced the Phillies on March 30 of this season and received a no-decision, surrendering two home runs through five innings on 92 pitches (57 strikes).

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:35 p.m.
• TV: NBCSP
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• The Phillies and Braves are tied for second place in the division. They trail the New York Mets by three games. The Washington Nationals sit five games back, while the Miami Marlins are in last place, 8 1/2 games behind the division leader.
• Hoskins' three walks on Monday pushed him into a third-place tie for the most walks among all big league batters this season, 14. Hoskins trails only fellow National League East sluggers Bryce Harper (21) and Freddie Freeman (18).
• In the series opener, the Braves denied the Phillies their first seven-game win streak since Sept. 5-12, 2012.
• Arano has retired all 22 batters he has faced this season spanning six appearances and 7 1/3 innings. The right-hander has retired 28 consecutive batters dating back to last season. Just shy of half of those batters, 13, were struck out.
• Four Phillies have previously homered off Foltynewicz: Maikel Franco, Herrera, Hoskins and Carlos Santana. No active Braves hitter has yet to homer against Pivetta, spanning 48 at-bats.

What's Next:

• Wednesday, April 18, 2018: at Atlanta Braves, 7:35 p.m.
  • SunTrust Park, Atlanta, Ga.
  • RHP Vince Velasquez (1-1, 3.52 ERA) vs. RHP Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 3.31 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP