By: Erik Seybold, contributor 
FLUSHING, NY – The Phillies fell to 0-4 for the first time since 2004 in yesterday's 7-2 loss to the Mets thanks to yet another bullpen blow up. Jerad Eickhoff took the loss yesterday after surrendering three runs (two earned) over five innings of work. Although Eickhoff left the game with his team trailing the Mets by three, his relief furthered the Phillies' chances of any sort of come back in the seventh. Mets righty Jacob deGrom picked up his first win of the season, going six frames and holding the Phils to one run on five hits. Tonight, Vince Velasquez will go toe to toe with Bartolo Colon as the Phillies look to garner their first win of the year and avoid their worst start to a season since they went (0-7) in 1934.
Maikel Franco (elbow) will return to the lineup tonight after taking the day off yesterday. Franco was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in Thursday's loss against Cincinnati. Although his elbow was deemed "sore", it was made apparent that this is not a serious injury. The Phillies' third baseman is hitting .300 with a home run in three games.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (0-4) | New York Mets (2-1) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vincent Velasquez | RHP | Bartolo Colon | ||
| 2015: (1-1, 4.37 ERA) | 2015: (14-13, 4.16 ERA) | ||||
Vince Velasquez makes his Phillies debut tonight as he takes on fan-favorite Bartolo Colon. Velasquez, who was acquired in the Ken Giles trade with Houston, made his MLB debut last season with the Astros and certainly made a mark. The 58th overall pick of the 2010 draft came over with Mark Appel, Brett Oberholtzer, Harold Arauz and Thomas Eshelman and made his Phils debut in spring training where he posted a 2.25 ERA in four starts. Earning a spot in the rotation, Velasquez will look to continue his sharp approach on the mound into the regular season. Bartolo Colon, who is in his last year of his contract with the Mets, seeks to tie a Hall of Fame record tonight as he is within one win of tying Pedro Martinez with 219 career wins. Colon pitched out of the bullpen against the Royals on Sunday but will make his first start of the year against the Phillies. In five starts against the Phillies last season, Colon went 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (0-4) | New York Mets (2-1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 1 | RF | Curtis Granderson | L |
| 2 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 2 | SS | Asdrubal Cabrera | S |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | CF | Yoenis Cespedes | R |
| 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 4 | 1B | Lucas Duda | L |
| 5 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 5 | 2B | Neil Walker | S |
| 6 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 6 | LF | Michael Conforto | L |
| 7 | LF | Cedric Hunter | L | 7 | 3B | Wilmer Flores | R |
| 8 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 8 | C | Travis d'Arnaud | R |
| 9 | P | Vince Velasquez | S | 9 | P | Bartolo Colon | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: CSN, MLBN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP, MLB.com
Game Notes:
- The Phillies fell to 0-4 for the first time since 2004 and will look to avoid an 0-5 start which would be their worst start to a season since 1934.
- Bartolo Colon can tie Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez with 219 career wins tonight. He would become the second-most winning pitcher to come out of the Dominican Republic.
- David Wright will sit tonight, his first "scheduled" rest day. The Mets all-star third baseman was diagnosed with spinal stenosis last year.
What's Next:
- Sunday April 10, 2016: at New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.
- Citi Field
- RHP Jeremy Hellickson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Harvey (0-1, 4.76 ERA)
- TV: TCN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP.
