Ryan Howard earns start against left-hander Robbie Erlin as Phillies, Charlie Morton seek rebound

Matt Rappa

April 12 2016

By: Matt Rappa, managing editor

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (2-5) will look to rebound from losing their fifth consecutive home opener, as they send right-hander Charlie Morton to the mound for his second start of the season against southpaw Robbie Erlin and the San Diego Padres (3-4) Tuesday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

First baseman Ryan Howard will make his seventh start of the season tonight for the Phillies. Darin Ruf, who pinched-hit for the 2006 National League Most Valuable Player with the bases loaded and nobody out during Monday's home opener, is out with a sore left shoulder, according to Jim Salisbury.

Howard, 36, leads the Phillies this season in home runs (2), runs-batted-in (4) and strikeouts (7).

Starting Pitching Matchup:

San Diego Padres (3-4)			Philadelphia Phillies (2-5)
LHP	Robbie Erlin		RHP	Charlie Morton
LHP	(1-0, 0.00 ERA)		RHP	(0-1, 14.73 ERA)

Robbie Erlin — Age: 25;

Last Appearance: April 8, 2016, at COL: W, 3.2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO
Career vs. PHI: (1-0), 2 G, 12.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 11 SO, 0 HR, 2.19 ERA

Erlin was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on April 8 to replace the injured Matt Thornton (left Achilles tendinitis). Because of an additional injury—Padres' Opening Day right-handed starter Tyson Ross (right shoulder inflammation)—Erlin will take the mound on just three days rest despite throwing 41 pitches in relief against the Rockies on Friday.

Two of Erlin's 28 career Major League appearances have come in opposition of the Phillies. In these outings, the Oakland, California, native is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA and a 0.811 WHIP ratio over 12 1/3 innings and 47 faced batters.

Charlie Morton — Age: 32;

Last Start: April 7, 2016, at CIN: L, 3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, HR
Career vs. SD: (4-1), 7 G, 43.1 IP, 28 H, 14 R, 13 ER, 16 BB, 38 SO, HR, 2.70 ERA

Morton has surrendered just one home run over seven games, 43 1/3 innings and 179 faced batters lifetime against the Padres: a two-out, solo home run to outfielder Matt Kemp in the top of the first inning on July 8, 2015, at PNC Park.

The right-hander has surrendered at least five earned runs in four consecutive starts, dating back to Sept. 17 of last season as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Starting Lineups:

San Diego Padres (3-4)				Philadelphia Phillies (2-5)
	Position	Player	Bats		Position	Player	Bats
1	CF	Jon Jay	L	1	2B	Cesar Hernandez	S
2	2B	Cory Spangenberg	L	2	CF	Odubel Herrera	L
3	RF	Matt Kemp	R	3	3B	Maikel Franco	R
4	1B	Brett Wallace	L	4	1B	Ryan Howard	L
5	LF	Melvin Upton Jr.	R	5	C	Carlos Ruiz	R
6	C	Derek Norris	R	6	SS	Freddy Galvis	S
7	SS	Alexei Ramirez	R	7	RF	Peter Bourjos	R
8	3B	Alexi Amarista	L	8	LF	Tyler Goeddel	R
9	P	Robbie Erlin	R	9	P	Charlie Morton	R

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

The Phillies have won 34 of 49 games against the Padres since 2009, losing just one series: 2014 at Petco Park (1-3).
Rule 5 selection Tyler Goeddel will start for the second time in left, taking the field for the first time since Friday's 7-2 defeat to the division-rival New York Mets. Goeddel is hitless so far in four games, striking out in four of his five plate appearances.
Active members of the Padres' roster have hit a combined .293/.384/.400 in their careers against Morton with five extra-base hits, one home run, five walks and seven runs-batted-in over 75 at-bats. Combined in 14 career at-bats against Erlin, however, Phillies batters have hit .143/.188/.286 with just two hits—a double each for Ruf and shortstop Freddy Galvis.
Phillies batting leaders after seven games this season: