Phillies, Aaron Nola look to snap 7-game skid against Brewers in series opener

Matt Rappa

April 22 2016

By: Matt Rappa, managing editor

MILWAUKEE — The Philadelphia Phillies (7-9) will look to snap a seven-game skid against the Milwaukee Brewers (7-9) — as well as a five-game skid in games started by right-hander Aaron Nola — in Friday evening's series opener at Miller Park.

The contest will be the first of a 19-game stretch in which the Phillies will play 16 away from Citizens Bank Park. Right-hander Zach Davies — who was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on April 17 to replace the injured Matt Garza (right lat strain) — will make his second start of the season and the eighth overall of his career for the Brewers.

The Phillies have provided Nola just eight runs of support during their losing streak in games he has started (1.6 runs per game average). In these appearances, he has a 3.77 ERA and 1.097 WHIP ratio, striking out 32 batters over 31 innings of work.

Two ex-Phillies prospects will face their former organization tonight — right fielder Domingo Santana and shortstop Jonathan Villar — who are batting at the tail ends of the Brewers' starting lineup. Santana, 23, was dealt to the Houston Astros in 2011 as the "player to be named later" in the acquisition of Hunter Pence. Villar, 24, was dealt to the same team a year prior as part of the trade that landed the Phillies three-time All-Star RHP Roy Oswalt.

For the second consecutive game, manager Pete Mackanin has placed the starting pitcher in the eighth position of the batting order. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez will become just the fifth non-pitcher to bat last in Phillies history. Right fielder Peter Bourjos delivered a pair of key RBIs in the position on Wednesday that secured the Phillies a 5-4, 11-inning victory over the New York Mets.

Friday's series opener will be the first game in Phillies history in which both starting pitchers are batting in the eighth position, according to Jayson Stark.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (7-9)			Milwaukee Brewers (7-9)
RHP	Aaron Nola		RHP	Zach Davies
RHP	(0-2, 5.68 ERA)		RHP	(0-1, 19.29 ERA)

Aaron Nola — Age: 22;

Last Start: April 16, 2016, vs. WSN: L, 5.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, HR
Career vs. MIL: N/A

Zach Davies — Age: 23;

Last Start: April 17, 2016, at PIT: L, 2.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB
Career vs. PHI: N/A

Starting Lineups:

Philadelphia Phillies (7-9)				Milwaukee Brewers (7-9)
	Position	Player	Bats		Position	Player	Bats
1	CF	Odubel Herrera	L	1	RF	Domingo Santana	R
2	SS	Freddy Galvis	S	2	2B	Scooter Gennett	L
3	3B	Maikel Franco	R	3	LF	Ryan Braun	R
4	1B	Ryan Howard	L	4	C	Jonathan Lucroy	R
5	C	Cameron Rupp	R	5	1B	Chris Carter	R
6	RF	David Lough	L	6	3B	Aaron Hill	R
7	LF	Darin Ruf	R	7	CF	Ramon Flores	L
8	P	Aaron Nola	R	8	P	Zach Davies	R
9	2B	Cesar Hernandez	S	9	SS	Jonathan Villar	S

Broadcast Information:

First pitch: 8:10 p.m.
TV: TCN
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera has walked in seven consecutive games (10 walks total). Herrera will lead off in the batting order for just the second time this season and the 29th time of his career overall. A walk tonight would make Herrera the first Phillie with an eight-game walk streak since outfielder Ben Francisco in 2011, April 29 to May 7. He is tied for the Major League lead in the category with 15 overall this season.
Phillies first base coach Mickey Morandini turns 50 years old today. Morandini hit .267/.334/.360 with 20 home runs and 254 runs-batted-in in nine seasons as their second baseman from 1990-1997 and 2000.
In losing each of their seven games against the Brewers in 2015, the Phillies were out-scored and out-hit 41-23 and 81-66, respectively.