Phillies eye first sweep, .500 record in finale against Braves

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — For the first time since July 4-6, 2016, the Philadelphia Phillies (8-9) have won three consecutive games. They will look to extend their win streak and reach the .500 mark Sunday afternoon as RHP Zach Eflin takes the mound against RHP Mike Foltynewicz and the Atlanta Braves (6-11) at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies secured their third series win in extra innings Saturday evening, as third baseman Maikel Franco hit a two-run walk-off single to deep right. Southpaw Joely Rodriguez, RHP Luis Garcia and RHP Pat Neshek each tossed a scoreless inning in relief of starter Jerad Eickhoff (no-decision), who allowed just one run through five innings. The Phillies' top four hitters in the lineup — second baseman Cesar Hernandez (.329 batting average), left fielder Aaron Altherr (.379), center fielder Odubel Herrera (.274) and Franco (.182) — each had a pair of hits and accounted for eight of the Phillies' 11 total in the win.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Foltynewicz Career vs. PHI: 2-1, 6.00 ERA, 4 G, 3 GS, 18 IP, 21 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 7 BB, 19 SO, 1.556 WHIP

Foltynewicz, 25, has allowed two runs in each of his three appearances this season, the middle of which occurred in relief of right-handed starter Bartolo Colon on April 11 at Marlins Park.

The right-hander held the division-leading Washington Nationals to just two runs through seven innings in his most recent start on Tuesday. He suffered the losing decision, however, as reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer tossed seven scoreless against the Braves.

In 7 2/3 career innings at Citizens Bank Park, Foltynewicz is 0-1 with a 8.22 ERA, having surrendered seven runs on 12 hits, four home runs and a walk.

Eflin Career vs. ATL: 1-0, 1.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 9.0 IP, 6 H, R, ER, HR, 0 BB, 6 SO, 0.667 WHIP

Eflin, 23, has one start all-time against the Braves that also came in opposition of Foltynewicz — a one-hit complete game performance on July 5, 2016, the first of his career. The right-hander tossed 92 pitches in the outing and surrendered just one run, a home run to former Phillies outfielder Ender Inciarte in the seventh.

The Orlando, Florida native was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on April 18 to replace Clay Buchholz (forearm) in the starting rotation. In his season debut that evening against the New York Mets at Citi Field, Eflin allowed two runs on three hits and as many walks spanning five innings.

Eflin began the season on the disabled list with knee tendinitis, despite undergoing surgery last August.

 Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 1:35 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes

• Altherr (9-21) and shortstop Freddy Galvis (7-25) have hit safely in six consecutive games. Altherr's seven runs scored over that stretch is tied for the sixth-most in baseball and the fourth-most in the National League.

• Former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard went 2-2 with a RBI in his Triple-A Gwinnett Braves debut on Saturday.
• The Phillies have won back-to-back series for the first time since Sept. 16-21 of last season. Saturday evening's walk-off victory also secured consecutive series wins against National League East opponents for the first time since May 10-18, 2016.
• Active members of the Phillies are 11-37 lifetime against Foltynewicz with a double, two home runs, three RBIs, five walks and 10 strikeouts. First baseman Tommy Joseph and Franco both went yard against the right-hander on July 5, 2016.
• Former Phillies southpaw reliever Rheal Cormier (2001-2006) turned 50 years old on Sunday. Cormier went 28-21 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.245 WHIP ratio and a 246-129 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 358 1/3 career innings in red pinstripes.

NL East Standings (entering April 23, 2017)

What's Next:

• Tuesday, April 25, 2017: vs. Miami Marlins, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
• LHP Wei-Yin Chen (2-0, 3.94 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (0-2, 7.20 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP