Phillies welcome return of Carlos Ruiz in series opener with Mariners

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Former Philadelphia Phillies (13-17) catcher Carlos Ruiz, who hit .266/.352/.393 with 68 home runs and 401 RBIs in 10-plus seasons from 2006 to 2016, will make his long-awaited return to the city of brotherly love.  Yet, it is another former Phillies catcher who gets the start.  Tuffy Gosewisch will be behind the plate for tonight's match up in South Philadelphia .

The Phillies and RHP Jerad Eickhoff will welcome Ruiz and his new team, the Seattle Mariners (15-17), to town Tuesday evening in the first of a two-game Interleague matchup at Citizens Bank Park. Eickhoff will oppose Mariners left-hander Ariel Miranda.

Ruiz, 38, was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 25, 2016 in exchange for veteran catcher A.J. Ellis and two minor leaguers, RHP Tommy Bergjans and outfielder Joey Curletta. The Panama native was then sent to the Mariners this offseason for LHP Vidal Nuño. On March 11, Curletta was traded to Seattle for ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte.

With the Phillies, the 2012 National League All-Star caught four no-hitters — including RHP Roy Halladay's perfect game — tied with perennial Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek for the most in Major League history. Ruiz is batting just .115/.281/.154 this season with a double, two singles and four walks spanning 13 games and 33 plate appearances.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Miranda Career vs. National League: 1-0, 2.13 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, HR, BB, 10 SO, 0.711 WHIP

Miranda, 28, will make his 19th career appearance and his third against a National League opponent, joining the Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers.  

The Cuban native signed to a minor league contract with the Orioles on May 23, 2015. Miranda made just one appearance with the Orioles, his Major League debut on July 3, 2016. Four weeks later, the southpaw was dealt to the Mariners in exchange for left-hander Wade Miley. Miranda finished his rookie season with an overall 5-2 record, 3.88 ERA, 44 strikeouts, 18 walks and 1.121 WHIP ratio over 58 innings.

Miranda was slated to start this season at Triple-A Tacoma, however he filled the rotation spot vacated in late March by injured LHP Drew Smyly, out 6-8 weeks with a flexor strain. In six starts and 33 innings, Miranda has 29 strikeouts while surrendering 13 runs on 32 hits, six home runs and eight walks.

Eickhoff Career vs. American League: 4-1, 3.86 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 35 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 5 HR, 8 BB, 22 SO, 1.143 WHIP

Eickhoff, 26, will make his seventh career interleague start and his first against an American League West opponent. In six starts this season, the right-hander has surrendered 17 runs (16 earned) on 32 hits, 13 walks, three home runs and 33 strikeouts. In two no-decision starts at home, the Evansville, Indiana native has allowed just two runs through 12 innings, while punching out 14 batters.

Eickhoff has gone eight starts since his last winning decision, Sept. 21 against another American League club, the Chicago White Sox.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
• TV: TCN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes

• Prior to the game, the Phillies acquired RHP Casey Fien from the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. The 33-year-old — who has allowed 10 runs this season through six innings — will report to to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
• Phillies right-hander Jeanmar Gomez has been placed on the 10-day disabled list — retroactive to May 6 — with right elbow impingement. The former Phillies closer has a 7.94 ERA and 1.765 WHIP ratio this season. INF/OF Ty Kelly will replace Gomez on the Major League roster.
• Mariners shortstop Jean Segura has an active seven-game hitting streak, besting Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr and second baseman Cesar Hernandez's six and five-game respective streaks. Segura has the second-best batting average among all Major League batters in the month of May (.481). Altherr, meanwhile, has the third-best on-base percentage (.556), trailing just Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Chris Taylor (.789) and Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (.588).
• Segura is 4-5 (.800/.857/.800) lifetime against Eickhoff with two walks.
• The Mariners have experienced injuries woes to their starting rotation. On top of losing Smyly, six-time All-Star RHP Felix Hernandez (right shoulder bursitis) and left-hander James Paxton (left forearm strain) are on the 10-day disabled list.
• Ruiz is currently sharing time behind the plate with another former Phillies organization catcher, Tuffy Gosewisch. Gosewisch recently joined the Mariners and Ruiz upon the May 5 demotion of catcher Mike Zunino.

NL East Standings (entering May 9, 2017)

What's Next:

• Wednesday, May 10, 2017: vs. Seattle Mariners, 1:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
• RHP Yovani Gallardo (1-3, 4.46 ERA) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (0-0, 2.42 ERA)
• TV: CSN, MLBN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP