Fresh off a 3-2 win at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies head to game two of the three-game series against the Washington Nationals. Taking the mound for the Phillies will be Ethan Martin. The Nationals counter with their ace, former Phillies prospect Gio Gonzalez.
Martin has continued to struggle in recent starts. After the 2/3 inning performance that eventually led to a taxed bullpen and 18 innings, Martin was only mediocre. Martin followed that up with a four-inning, three earned run performance against the New York Mets and took the loss. Martin has gone longer than five innings only once in his six-start career.
Gonzalez has won just once in eight starts dating back to All-Star break. The National League All-Star was 7-3 with a 3.03 ERA leading up to the Midsummer Classic. Since, he is 1-3 with a 4.98 ERA. However, his most recent start was a seven inning, zero-earned runs peformance against the Miami Marlins.
The Phillies lineup is filled with youth once again. In today's lineup are Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis, Cody Asche, and Darin Ruf, all Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs starters most of the season. The lineup also features reserve players John Mayberry, Kevin Frandsen, and Michael Martinez, to be complimented by veteran Carlos Ruiz. The Washington Nationals bring their A-game lineup to the park tonight with all eight usual starting position players.
Game Notes:
- Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are both off tonight
- Denard Span returns to center field for the Nationals tonight after having last night off against the lefty Cole Hamels
- Jayson Werth's .320 average is fourth-best in the league
Phillies Lineup:
- Cesar Hernandez 2B
- Freddy Galvis SS
- Kevin Frandsen 1B
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Darin Ruf LF
- Cody Asche 3B
- John Mayberry RF
- Michael Martinez CF
- Ethan Martin P
Nationals Lineup:
- Denard Span CF
- Ryan Zimmerman 3B
- Bryce Harper LF
- Jayson Werth RF
- Ian Desmond SS
- Adam LaRoche 1B
- Wil Ramos C
- Anthony Rendon 2B
- Gio Gonzalez P
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP; 1210 WPHT
