Phillies look to avoid sweep, snap 8-game skid to Nationals behind Adam Morgan

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (60-72) will look to avoid being swept for the seventh time this season, as well snap their eight-game losing streak to the division-leading Washington Nationals (77-55) as southpaws Adam Morgan and Gio Gonzalez face off Wednesday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

In their franchise record-tying eight straight defeats to the Nationals — five being at home — the Phillies have been respectively outscored and outhit 45-18 and 73-43.

Morgan has lost 11 of his last 12 decisions, while Gonzalez, a former Phillies prospect, has won five of his last six en route to a 3.20 ERA over 50 2/3 innings dating back to July 10 at Citi Field.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Gio Gonzalez — Age: 30;

• Last Start: August 26, 2016, vs. COL: W, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB 5 SO
• Last Five Starts: (3-0), 26.2 IP, 23 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 6 BB, 27 SO, 3 HR, 4.05 ERA
• Career vs. PHI: (8-6), 18 G, 111.2 IP, 95 H, 41 R, 35 ER, 36 BB, 111 SO, 8 HR, 2.82 ERA
• 2016 vs. PHI: (0-1), 2 G, 13.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 13 SO, HR, 1.35 ERA
• Career at CBP: (5-3), 11 G, 71.1 IP, 51 H, 24 R, 20 ER, 26 BB, 79 SO, 7 HR, 2.52 ERA

Adam Morgan — Age: 26;

• Last Start: August 26, 2016, at NYM: L, 5.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, 3 HR
• Last Five Starts: (0-2), 24.0 IP, 38 H, 20 R, 19 ER, 6 BB, 18 SO, 7 HR, 7.13 ERA
• Career vs. WSN: (0-1), 12.2 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 3 BB, 14 SO, 3 HR, 6.39 ERA
• 2016 vs. WSN: (0-1), 2 G, 12.2 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 3 BB, 14 SO, 3 HR, 6.39 ERA
• Career at CBP: (3-7), 17 G, 86.0 IP, 106 H, 55 R, 50 ER, 19 BB, 61 SO, 17 HR, 5.23 ERA

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

• The Phillies are 23-29 this season against National League East opponents. They have not finished with a winning record against them since 2011, 43-29. Of their final 30 games this season, 24 will be against division opponents, while the other six will be home games against the Pittsburgh Pirates (Sept. 12-15) and Chicago White Sox (Sept. 20-21).
• Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp is hitless over his last five starts and 17 plate appearances with two walks and six strikeouts (.000/.118/.000).
• Combined in their careers against Gonzalez, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and third baseman Maikel Franco are batting a combined 1-21 (.048) with two walks and 10 strikeouts.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Friday, Sept. 2, 2016: vs. Atlanta Braves, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• RHP Joel De La Cruz (0-7, 4.66 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (10-8, 3.80 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP