By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PITTSBURGH — The Philadelphia Phillies (45-54) will vie for their first series victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates (50-47) since July 2-4, 2013, as RHP Vince Velasquez opposes rookie RHP Jameson Taillon for his 17th start of the season Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.
During Saturday's 7-4 defeat in the middle game of the series, the Phillies' five stolen bases — second baseman Cesar Hernandez (2), center fielder Odubel Herrera (2) and shortstop Freddy Galvis — were their most in a single game since July 11, 2009, also five at PNC Park. This accounted for 10.4 percent of their season total, 48, which ranks ninth in the National League.
The Phillies have left a combined 25 men on base so far this series with just six hits over 30 at-bats (.233).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (45-54) | Pittsburgh Pirates (50-47) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Jameson Taillon | ||
| (8-2, 3.15 ERA) | (2-1, 3.44 ERA) | ||||
Vince Velasquez — Age: 24;
- Last Start: July 19, 2016, vs. MIA: ND, 7.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 5 SO, HR
- Career vs. PIT: N/A
In four starts since his activation from the disabled list on June 27 (right biceps strain), Velasquez has allowed just five earned runs over 24 innings (1.88 ERA).
Jameson Taillon — Age: 24;
- Last Start: July 19, 2016, vs. MIL: ND, 6.0 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 3 SO
- Career vs. PHI: N/A
Taillon will take the mound for his seventh career start and his first against the Phillies. The Lakeland, Florida, native was placed in concussion protocol after taking a line drive to his head on July 19 against the Brewers. He missed nearly the first three weeks of July on the disabled list with right shoulder fatigue.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (45-54) | Pittsburgh Pirates (50-47) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | 1B | John Jaso | L |
| 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 2 | LF | Gregory Polanco | L |
| 3 | 3B | Andres Blanco | S | 3 | 3B | David Freese | R |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | CF | Starling Marte | R |
| 5 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | 5 | RF | Matt Joyce | L |
| 6 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 6 | 2B | Josh Harrison | R |
| 7 | LF | Cody Asche | L | 7 | C | Elias Diaz | R |
| 8 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 8 | SS | Sean Rodriguez | R |
| 9 | P | Vince Velasquez | R | 9 | P | Jameson Taillon | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:35 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Standings:
| Updated: Jul 24, 2016 | |||||
| NL EAST | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Nationals | 58 | 40 | — | 455 | 342 |
| Marlins | 53 | 44 | 4.5 | 409 | 401 |
| Mets | 51 | 45 | 6.0 | 359 | 344 |
| Phillies | 45 | 54 | 13.5 | 353 | 449 |
| Braves | 33 | 65 | 25.0 | 333 | 466 |
| NL WILD CARD | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Dodgers | 55 | 44 | +1.0 | 426 | 365 |
| Marlins | 53 | 44 | — | 409 | 401 |
| Cardinals | 52 | 45 | 1.0 | 498 | 400 |
| Mets | 51 | 45 | 1.5 | 359 | 344 |
| Pirates | 50 | 47 | 3.0 | 446 | 450 |
| Rockies | 46 | 51 | 7.0 | 499 | 509 |
| Phillies | 45 | 54 | 9.0 | 353 | 449 |
What's Next:
- Monday, July 25, 2016: at Miami Marlins, 7:10 p.m.
- Marlins Park
- RHP Jeremy Hellickson (7-7, 3.84 ERA) vs. TBA
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
