The Philadelphia Phillies will continue their three game series with the Cincinnati Reds tonight at Citizens Bank Park. Last night the Phillies used some late inning heroics to take game one of the series by a score of 5-4. Darin Ruf drove in the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Game time tonight is 7:05.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Cincinnati Reds(22-28) | Philadelphia Phillies (20-33) |
|---|
| RHP | Mike Leake | LHP | Cole Hamels | ||
| (2-4, 4.66ERA) | (5-4, 2.91 ERA) | ||||
Cole Hamels will get the call for the Phillies tonight. Hamels lost his last start against Colorado despite giving up just two runs over eight innings. Hamels has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last five starts.
The Phillies ace went 4-2 in the month of May. He gave up more than two runs just once and pitched at least seven innings in all but one start. He allowed just one run in three of his starts for the month. The lefty has walked just one batter in each of the last four games while striking out 30.
Hamels is 10-0 in 13 career starts against the Reds.
Mike Leake has lost his last three starts for the Reds. The right hander hasn't gotten out of the fifth inning since a no decision against Atlanta back on May 11th. In that time he has seen his ERA go from 2.36 to 4.66.
One thing the Reds can hope is that Leake stays true to form. His numbers have been better on the road than at home this season. In four of his five road starts Leake has pitched at least seven innings, three times going eight.
Starting Lineups:
| Cincinnati Reds(22-28) | Philadelphia Phillies (20-33) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Brandon Phillips | R | 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 2 | 1B | Joey Votto | L | 2 | RF | Jeff Francoeur | R |
| 3 | 3B | Todd Frazier | R |
3 |
2B | Chase Utley | L |
| 4 | RF | Jay Bruce | L | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | SS | Zack Cozart | R | 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 6 | LF | Kris Negron | R | 6 | LF | Cody Asche | L |
| 7 | C | Tucker Barnhart | S | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | P | Mike Leake | R | 8 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R |
| 9 | CF | Billy Hamilton | S | 9 | P | Cole Hamels | L |
Game Notes:
- This is the second of nine straight games for the Phillies
- The Phillies can win their first series since sweeping the Diamondbacks back in mid May.
- Tonight's game is the last scheduled dollar dog night of the season. It is also Mentoring Program Appreciation Night.
- Cody Asche has hit safely in six straight games dating back to May 10th. He is 5 for 15 since rejoining the big club.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN Philly
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
What's Next:
Thursday, June 4, 2015: vs. Cincinatti Reds, 7:05 pm
- RHP Anthony DeSclafani (3-4, 3.41 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Harang(4-5, 2.02 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Philliedelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
