Rookies Jake Thompson, Steven Brault square off as Phillies look to regain series lead over Pirates

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Rookies RHP Jake Thompson of the Philadelphia Phillies (64-81) and LHP Steven Brault of the Pittsburgh Pirates (70-73) will square off in the continuation of the four-game series Wednesday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

Making his first big league start in last night's 5-3 defeat, catcher Jorge Alfaro went hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts. Right-handed starter Alec Asher surrendered two runs on four hits and three walks over six and one-third innings in the no-decision. The Phillies struck out fifteen times in the loss.

Phillies rookie outfielder Roman Quinn made his home debut in the 6-2 series opener win on Monday. Quinn is batting .571/.667/.857 so far this series with a pair of singles, doubles, walks and RBIs each. He has reached base safely in seven of his first 13 career plate appearances.

The Phillies have just 10 home games and 17 games overall remaining this season, with only four being against non-division opponents (Sept. 14-15 vs. Pirates, Sept. 20-21 vs. White Sox).

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Steven Brault — Age: 24;

• Last Start: Sept. 9, 2016, vs. CIN: ND, 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
• Career vs. PHI: N/A

Through five career starts, Brault has not surrendered more than three runs but has yet to throw more than six innings on the mound. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round of the 2013 amateur draft.

Jake Thompson — Age: 22;

• Last Start: Sept. 9, 2016, at WSN: ND, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 5 SO
• Career vs. PIT: N/A

After posting a 9.78 ERA through his first four career starts, Thompson has a 2.33 ERA in his three starts since.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

• Phillies starting pitchers have not allowed a home run over their last nine games. The last time they accomplished this feat was more than a decade ago, June 3-11, 2006.
• Last night, closer Jeanmar Gomez blew his fifth save of the season by surrendering a three-run home run to pinch hitter Sean Rodriguez in the ninth. Gomez now has a 9.00 ERA through fourteen appearances and twelve innings since August 14.
• Quinn is the first Major League player to start at all three outfield positions in his first three games of his career since outfielder Abraham Almonte with the Seattle Mariners from August 30 to Sept. 2, 2013, according to MLB.com.
• Over their last 12 games, the Phillies bullpen is a MLB-worst 0-5 with a 5.97 ERA (31.2 IP, 21 ER) and three blown saves.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• RHP Chad Kuhl (3-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff (10-13, 3.73 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP