By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
After losing seven games in a row, the Philadelphia Phillies (43-38) have now won four straight, and will look to carry their momentum into Friday evening's three-game series opener opposite the National League-worst Miami Marlins (30-49) at Marlins Park. Right-hander Vince Velasquez will receive the starting nod opposite RHP Elieser Hernandez, as the Phillies kick off the second half of their 162-game schedule.
The Phillies are coming off of a four-game series sweep of the skidding New York Mets, their first such sweep of their rivals at home since 2007. In Thursday's thrilling 6-3 finale win, Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola tossed seven scoreless innings and allowed only one hit — to the opposing pitcher — and one walk while striking out 10 batters. According to Ryan Spaeder, Nola is the first Phillies pitcher in the live ball era to pitch at least seven one-hit innings, with the only hit allowed being to the opposing pitcher. The Phillies took a 1-0 lead into the ninth thanks to Bryce Harper's sixth inning home run to deep center. Hector Neris blew his second save by allowing three runs, but the Phillies responded with Maikel Franco's two-run home run and Jean Segura's three-run, walkoff home run. J.D. Hammer was credited with his first career win, while Phillies offseason target Edwin Diaz fell to 1-5 with four blown saves.
On Friday, it was announced that Phillies third base prospect Alec Bohm will represent the club at the All-Star Futures Game next month in Cleveland, Ohio. In 68 combined games this season with Lakewood, Clearwater and Reading, the 22-year-old is slashing .331/.406/.535 with 20 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 42 RBI, 34 walks and 41 strikeouts.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (43-38) | Miami Marlins (30-49) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Elieser Hernández | ||
| (2-4, 4.40 ERA) | (0-2, 4.34 ERA) | ||||
RHP Vince Velasquez, Age: 27
- Career vs. MIA: 4-2, 2.90 ERA, 12 G, 12 GS, 62 IP, 43 H, 22 R, 20 ER, 7 HR, 17 BB, 60 SO, 0.968 WHIP
- Career at Marlins Park: 0-2, 3.70 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 24 1/3 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 4 HR, 6 BB, 20 SO, 1.068 WHIP
Velasquez will make his third start since June 16. The right-hander yielded only one hit (a solo home run) and no walks through five innings in his most recent start, home last Saturday against the Marlins. Velasquez went just one over the minimum and struck out five of his 16 batters faced while inducing eight strikes swinging and 14 strikes looking.
RHP Elieser Hernández, Age: 24
- Career vs. PHI: 1-0, 5.40 ERA, 3 G, 1 GS, 6 2/3 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 8 SO, 1.200 WHIP
- Career at Marlins Park: 2-6, 3.55 ERA, 23 G, 5 GS, 50 2/3 IP, 47 H, 20 R, 20 ER, 6 HR, 17 BB, 40 SO, 1.263 WHIP
Hernández will make his 10th career start and 37th career appearance overall. The right-hander opposed Velasquez last Saturday and allowed three runs on four hits, two walks, two home runs and six strikeouts over five innings and 80 pitches. Hernández has a 5.87 ERA at Marlins Park this season, allowing nine hits, five runs and two walks over 7 2/3 innings.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (43-38) | Miami Marlins (30-49) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | TBA | 1 | TBA | ||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | ||||||
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: NBC 10
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies are tied for the National League Wild Card lead and are 4 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.
- The Phillies have split their 10 meetings with the Marlins this season, despite being outhit 98-80.
- Segura and Franco have three home runs over their last four games (the four-game series sweep of the New York Mets). Over this same stretch, Segura has struck out just once spanning 20 plate appearances.
- Spanning six career at-bats opposite Hernández, Harper is 3-for-6 with a home run, two RBI, one walk and twi strikeouts. Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro, meanwhile, is just 1-for-14 in his career against Velasquez with a double and three strikeouts. (click to expand).
What's Next:
- Saturday, June 29, 2019: vs. Miami Marlins, 4:10 p.m.
- Marlins Park, Miami, Fla.
- RHP Zach Eflin (7-7, 3.26 ERA) vs. RHP Jordan Yamamoto (3-0, 0.95 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
