Phillies open 6-game homestand against Roark, Nationals

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (60-70) will begin a six-game homestand against RHP Tanner Roark and the division-leading Washington Nationals (75-55) starting Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillies rookie RHP Jake Thompson will take the mound for his fifth career start as the Phillies continue their stretch of 16 straight games against National League East opponents. Eighteen of their final 32 games will be played at home, where they are 30-33 (.476) this season.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Tanner Roark — Age: 29;

• Last Start: August 24, 2016, vs. BAL: L, 5.0 IP, 7  H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, HR
• Last Five Starts: (3-1), 31.2 IP, 28 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 13 BB, 21 SO, 5 HR, 3.13 ERA
• Career vs. PHI: (4-5), 10 G, 8 GS, 49.2 IP, 48 H, 24 R, 24 ER, 9 BB, 38 SO, 5 HR, 4.35 ERA
• Career at CBP: (2-4), 6 G, 5 GS, 27.2 IP, 34 H, 21 R, 21 ER, 5 BB, 17 SO, 4 HR, 6.83 ERA
• 2016 vs. PHI: (2-0), 3 G, 3 GS, 21.0 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 17 SO, HR, 0.86 ERA

Roark ranks fifth among National League starters in innings pitched (166), sixth in wins (13), HR/9 ratio (0.76) and total batters faced (681), as well as 10th in ERA (3.04).

Jake Thompson — Age: 22;

• Last Start: August 23, 2016, at CHW: L, 5.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO, 2 HR
• Career vs. WSN: N/A

Thompson is tied with RHP Alec Asher — also acquired from the Texas Rangers in the July 2015 trade of southpaws Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman — for the second-highest ERA in franchise history for a starting pitcher after their first four big league starts, 9.78. RHP Mike Maddux went 0-3 with a 9.98 ERA over his first four starts in 1986.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

• In 36 games starting in the leadoff position in the order this season, Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez is batting .296/.384/.451 with seven doubles, three triples, three home runs, 11 RBIs, 21 walks and 33 strikeouts.
• Phillies RHP Hector Neris has allowed just one earned run over his last 19 appearances (19 1/3 IP, 0.47 ERA), limiting opposing batters to a .134/.159/.209 slash with 27 strikeouts. His 11.40 K/9 ratio this season ranks eighth among National League relievers.
• The Phillies have lost eight of their last 10 games against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park, outscored and outhit 64-28 (-36) and 105-65 (-40), respectively.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Tuesday, August 30, 2016: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• RHP Max Scherzer (14-7, 2.92 ERA) vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff (9-12, 3.87 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP