Phillies seek 5th straight win behind Eickhoff, streaking Herrera

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

ATLANTA — After losing 10 straight series to conclude May, the Philadelphia Phillies (21-35) and RHP Jerad Eickhoff will look to capture their second straight series win and fifth straight win overall Wednesday evening in the third of a four-game set against the Atlanta Braves (24-32) at SunTrust Park. Eickhoff will oppose Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz.

The Phillies guaranteed at least a series draw Tuesday evening in their 3-1 victory, as right-hander Aaron Nola became the first Phillie to toss at least eight innings this season. Nola allowed just one run on five hits, a walk and six strikeouts spanning eight innings and 97 pitches. Manager Pete Mackanin's club trailed 1-0 heading to the fourth inning, when recently-returned left fielder Howie Kendrick hit a game-tying home run to left center, his second. Two innings later, center fielder Odubel Herrera hit his seventh double of June — which would turn out to be the game-winning run as second baseman Cesar Hernandez scored from second on the play. Herrera scored the game's final run on a called balk by opposing southpaw Jaime Garcia.

The Phillies are now 5-0 against the Braves this season, outscoring and outhitting their division rivals 27-13 and 52-33, respectively. In addition, the Phillies are 4-1 in the month of June and 14-14 against National League East opponents overall.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Eickhoff Career vs. ATL: 2-1, 1.58 ERA, 7 G, 7 GS, 40 IP, 27 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 3 HR, 9 BB, 31 SO, 0.900 WHIP

Eickhoff, 26, has yet to earn a win this season through 11 starts. The right-hander is coming off of a career-low 2 2/3-inning start on June 2 against the San Francisco Giants, in which he allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and five walks. Two of his five surrendered walks were to opposing left-handed pitcher Ty Blach.

The Evansville, Indiana native fared well in his first 2017 start against the Braves on April 22 at Citizens Bank Park. In five innings, Eickhoff allowed just one run — on a pair of hits and walks — while striking out five in the no-decision.

Foltynewicz Career vs. PHI: 2-1, 4.68 ERA, 5 G, 4 GS, 25 IP, 25 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 5 HR, 9 BB, 28 SO, 1.360 WHIP

Foltynewicz, 25, is coming off of a seven-inning, 10-strikeout shutout performance against the Cincinnati Reds on June 2, in which he later received a no-decision. It was the Sterling, Illinois native's second double-digit strikeout game of his four-year career.

The right-hander has faced the Phillies once this season, a no-decision on April 23 at Citizens Bank Park in which he allowed just one run on four hits and two walks through seven frames and nine strikeouts.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

• In the month of June, Herrera leads all qualified National League batters in doubles (7), slugging percentage (1.294), OPS (1.824) and WAR (0.7). Herrera's batting average has risen from .218 on May 31 to .243 entering June 7.
• The Braves have lost nine of their last 13 games and have dropped four straight at SunTrust Park. Atlanta has won just six of their last 20 home games after sweeping a four-game series from April 14-17 against the San Diego Padres to open the venue.
• Phillies RHP Pat Neshek recorded the final two outs and his first save since 2015 in Tuesday's win. Neshek has the fifth-lowest ERA among all qualified relievers this season, 0.82.

NL East Standings (entering June 7, 2017)

What's Next:

• Thursday, June 8, 2017: at Atlanta Braves, 7:35 p.m.
• SunTrust Park
• RHP Ben Lively (1-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. RHP R.A. Dickey (3-4, 5.10 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP