By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Winners of 11 of their last 16 games, the Philadelphia Phillies (46-37) and RHP Aaron Nola will oppose rookie RHP Yefry Ramirez and the Baltimore Orioles (24-60) in an Independence Day matinee at Citizens Bank Park.
Despite being outhit 7-5, the Phillies edged the Orioles, 3-2, in the first of the two-game set on Tuesday. Starter Zach Eflin allowed just two runs in seven innings with six strikeouts and 82 pitches (60 strikes), en route to his seventh victory of 2018. Right-handed relievers Tommy Hunter and Seranthony Dominguez recorded their 15th hold and eighth save, respectively. Catcher Andrew Knapp extended his hitting streak to six games with the game-winning RBI triple in the fourth. Rhys Hoskins produced the other two runs with a third-inning RBI double, his team-leading 20th.
The Phillies are 2-0 against the Orioles this season, outscoring manager Buck Showalter's club 7-3. After their Wednesday finale, the Phillies and Orioles will meet one last time on July 12, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, making up the May 15 rainout.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Baltimore Orioles (24-60) | Philadelphia Phillies (46-37) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Yefry Ramirez | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (0-1, 2.89 ERA) | (10-2, 2.48 ERA) | ||||
RHP Yefry Ramirez, Age: 24
- 2018 vs. PHI: N/A
- Career vs. PHI: N/A
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: N/A
Ramirez will make his third career appearance and second career start. The Orioles recalled the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. In 9 1/3 innings, Ramirez has nine strikeouts while allowing six singles, one home run and two walks.
RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 25
- 2018 vs. BAL: N/A
- Career vs. BAL: N/A
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 21-12, 3.12 ERA, 37 G, 37 GS, 236 2/3 IP, 198 H, 88 R, 82 ER, 29 HR, 58 BB, 271 SO, 1.082 WHIP
The Phillies have won six of Nola's last seven starts since May 26. The right-hander is 3-5 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.416 WHIP through 10 career interleague appearances.
Starting Lineups:
| Baltimore Orioles (24-60) | Philadelphia Phillies (46-37) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 3B | Tim Beckham | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | CF | Adam Jones | R | 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | SS | Manny Machado | R | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | RF | Mark Trumbo | R | 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 5 | 1B | Chris Davis | L | 5 | RF | Nick Williams | L |
| 6 | 2B | Jonathan Schoop | R | 6 | SS | Scott Kingery | R |
| 7 | LF | Trey Mancini | R | 7 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R |
| 8 | C | Chance Sisco | L | 8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 9 | P | Yefry Ramirez | R | 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 4:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP, ESPN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies shrunk their National League East deficit to 2 1/2 games on Tuesday, as the division-leading Atlanta Braves fell to the New York Yankees, 8-5. The Braves will oppose CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.02 ERA) on Wednesday behind Opening Day starter, Julio Teheran (6-5, 4.21 ERA).
- With his win on Tuesday, Eflin became the first Phillies starter since All-Star southpaw Cliff Lee in 2011 to win six consecutive starts.
- Through 12 career plate appearances at Citizens Bank Park, Phillies trade candidate Manny Machado is slashing .273/.333/.636 with two runs scored, one double, one home run, one RBI and one walk.
- Orioles utility player Jace Peterson is 1-10 lifetime against Nola with a single, walk and strikeout (.100/.182/.100). Third baseman Danny Valencia, meanwhile, is 2-3 lifetime against the right-hander with a double and strikeout (.667/.667/1.000).
What's Next:
Thursday, July 5, 2018: Off day
Friday, July 6, 2018: at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.
- PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.
- RHP Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.66 ERA) vs. RHP Trevor Williams (6-6, 4.22 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP, MLBN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
