Phillies Aim to End Braves’ 8-Game Winning Streak Behind Nola

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies (38-31) will look to rebound in the second of a three-game set Saturday evenign opposite the Atlanta Braves (41-29) at SunTrust Park, as RHP Aaron Nola takes on southpaw Sean Newcomb.

RELATED | Phillies Fall to Braves as Neris Blows 1st Save

Right-hander Hector Neris failed to convert his 18th straight save — 15th this season —allowing three runs, three hits and one walk in the ninth inning of Friday's heartbreaking 9-8 series opener loss to the Braves. The Phillies had led by as much as 7-2 after the top of the seventh behind Sean Rodriguez's RBI single, Bryce Harper's two-run home run, Scott Kingery's solo home run and Rhys Hoskins' two-run home run.

The Phillies have fallen in nine of their last 14 games; over this stretch, in the National League East, the club has gone from a season-high 3 1/2-game lead to trailing a season-worst 2 1/2 games.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 26

• Career vs. ATL: 8-3, 2.05 ERA, 13 G, 13 GS, 83 1/3 IP, 63 H, 22 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 23 BB, 68 SO, 1.032 WHIP
• Career at SunTrust Park: 1-2, 2.13 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 25 1/3 IP, 16 H, 6 R, 6 ER, HR, 4 BB, 17 SO, 0.789 WHIP

Nola will make his fifth career start at SunTrust Park — and first since suffering a losing decision, despite allowing just two runs, four hits and one walk spanning six innings in a 2-1 Phillies loss last September.

LHP Sean Newcomb, Age: 26

• Career vs. PHI: 1-1, 2.65 ERA, 4 G, 3 GS, 17 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 16 SO, 1.059 WHIP
• Career at SunTrust Park: 8-12, 4.56 ERA, 35 G, 29 GS, 162 IP, 166 H, 86 R, 82 ER, 15 HR, 76 BB, 135 SO, 1.494 WHIP

Three days after his 26th birthday, Newcomb will make his first start since his transition to the bullpen when recalled from Triple-A in early May. The southpaw had allowed just three runs spanning 16 combined appearances and 19 innings as a reliever, coupled with 21 strikeouts. In his three prior starts this season, however, Newcomb allowed six runs through 12 1/3 innings, striking out just five and walking eight.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:20 p.m.
• TV: NBCSP
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Active Hitting Streaks of 5-plus games:
  • Phillies
    • J.T. Realmuto (7): 26 AB, 6 R, 9 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 4 SO, .346/.414/.500
  •  Braves
    • Ronald Acuna (6): 30 AB, 4 R, 10 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 11 SO, .333/.375/.633
    • Ozzie Albies (6): 25 AB, 7 R, 10 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 2 SO, .400/.464/.960
• This month, Phillies utility player Scott Kingery is slashing .318/.348/.795 with four doubles, one triple, five home runs, nine runs scored, nine RBI, two walks and 11 strikeouts spanning 12 games and 46 plate appearances. Meanwhile, second baseman Cesar Hernandez is batting just 5-for-46 in June (.109/.176/.174).

• While Realmuto is just 1-for-15 in his career against Newcomb, Bryce Harper is 3-for-9 with two home runs, five RBI and four walks (click to expand).

What's Next:

• Sunday, June 16, 2019: at Atlanta Braves, 1:20 p.m.
  • SunTrust Park, Atlanta, Ga.
  • TBA vs. RHP Mike Foltynewicz (1-5, 6.02 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP