By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies (54-42) and right-hander Vince Velasquez will aim for their 16th series win in the second of a three-game set opposite the National League-worst San Diego Padres (40-60) Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park. Velasquez will oppose rookie right-hander Luis Perdomo. The Phillies have won five straight home games, and seven of their last eight. The club has a National League-best home winning percentage this season, .660 (31-16).
UPDATE: Rainout: Phillies, Padres to Play Split-Admission Doubleheader on Sunday
The Phillies snapped a two-game skid to kick off the second-half of the season on Friday, defeating former shortstop Freddy Galvis and the Padres, 11-5. After falling behind 4-0 in the first, the Phillies scored seven unanswered runs over two innings, highlighted by first baseman Carlos Santana's three-run home run to center field. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez, center fielder Odubel Herrera and shortstop Scott Kingery each collected two hits, while Hernandez (2), Herrera (2) and Santana (4) produced multiple RBI. Southpaw reliever Austin Davis earned his first career win, while Victor Arano (6), Tommy Hunter (19) and Pat Neshek (1) recorded holds.
Padres center fielder Manuel Margot exited the game with a left wrist injury, suffered while diving for a catch in the eighth inning. Galvis went 3-4 with a double and two RBI in his first appearance against the Phillies since being dealt this past offseason for right-hander Enyel De Los Santos.
Inclement weather is in the Philadelphia forecast throughout most of the day on Saturday, and is not expected to wrap up until early Sunday morning.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| San Diego Padres (40-60) | Philadelphia Phillies (54-42) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Luis Perdomo | RHP | Vince Velasquez | ||
| (1-4, 7.55 ERA) | (5-8, 4.39 ERA) | ||||
RHP Luis Perdomo, Age: 25
- 2018 vs. PHI: N/A
- Career vs. PHI: N/A
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: N/A
Perdomo will make his first career appearance against the Phillies, and his 57th career start overall. The right-hander has a three-decision losing skid, allowing 22 runs — 20 earned — over his last four starts and 20 innings since April 18 (9.00 ERA).
RHP Vince Velasquez, Age: 26
- 2018 vs. SDP: N/A
- Career vs. SDP: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 16 SO, 0.333 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 8-13, 4.74 ERA, 30 G, 30 GS, 153 2/3 IP, 139 H, 86 R, 81 ER, 32 HR, 58 BB, 193 SO, 1.282 WHIP
Velasquez will make his second career start against the Padres, with the first being a three-hit, 16-strikeout shutout in his Phillies home debut on April 14, 2016. Velasquez returned from the disabled list (forearm contusion) and tossed six scoreless innings in his most recent start, July 11 against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Starting Lineups:
| San Diego Padres (40-60) | Philadelphia Phillies (54-42) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBC 10
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies lead the division by a half game, and trail the Chicago Cubs by just two-and-a-half games for the best record in the National League. The Phillies and Cubs will next meet in a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park, August 31-Sept. 2.
- Read: Phillies, Aramark Launch 10-Game 'Brew2You' Pilot Program
- On Thursday, the Padres dealt LHP Brad Hand and RHP Adam Cimber to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for C/OF Francisco Mejia. Right-hander Kirby Yates is also drawing "significant interest." The Phillies were rumored to show interest in Padres' relievers, Hand in particular.
- Current Phillies hitting streaks:
- Cesar Hernandez, 6 games: 27 PA, 23 AB, 3 R, 10 H, 2B, 3B, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 3 SO, .435/.519/.565
- Jorge Alfaro, 5 games: 19 PA, 16 AB, 4 R, 7 H, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB, 5 SO, .438/.526/.750
- Scott Kingery, 5 games: 20 PA, 20 AB, 4 R, 9 H, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 3 SO, .450/.450/.500
- No active Phillies player has previously faced Perdomo. The only two Padres to previously oppose Velasquez are first baseman Eric Hosmer (1-3, .333/.333/.333) and left fielder Wil Myers (0-4, 3 SO, .000/.000/.000).
- After falling in five of six meetings with the Padres last season, the Phillies got 2018 off to a strong start with Friday's 11-5 victory. Since last season, both clubs have scored 30 runs against each other, with the Padres slightly outhitting the Phillies, 56-54.
What's Next:
Sunday, July 22, 2018: vs. San Diego Padres, 1:35 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Tyson Ross (5-8, 4.32 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (6-7, 4.58 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
