The Phillies were very impressive in last night's 6-2 win over the Indians. Jonathan Pettibone went 6 2/3 innings, his longest outing yet. Allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three, Pettibone was also backed up by his offense – something that needs to show this afternoon for Cole Hamels (1-5, 4.18 ERA). The Phillies are eyeing a sweep over the Indians in this two-game series and it is pivitol to get run support for Hamels, who has received just nine runs in support in his last six starts. The Indians will send out Corey Kluber (2-2, 5.64 ERA) in an effort to split the series.
Cole Hamels may have the numbers of a struggling starting pitcher with a 1-5 record and a 4.18 ERA, but in reality he has only had to struggle with no run support of late. The lefty has allowed just 11 ER in his last 41 innings of work (2.41 ERA) after combining 13 ER in his first two starts. In his last outing, a tough luck loss against Arizona, Hamels surrendered just two runs through six innings. The Phillies scored just one run that game – after Hamels exited. Hamels has one career start against Cleveland and it was not pretty. He gave up six earned in five innings in that start.
Corey Kluber is looking to rebound after his worst start of the season. Last Friday, Kluber was clobbered for eight runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings against Detroit. After being switched to a starter in Aprilm Kluber had been solid in his two previous starts before Friday, owning a 3.68 ERA (5 ER in 12 2/3 IP) with two wins. Kluber is looking to turn it around against Philadelphia, a team he has never faced in his career before. He has, however, faced Ben Revere (3-for-8, 1 RBI) and Delmon Young (3-for-6, 2 RBI) before.
Game Notes
- SCORE RUNS FOR COLE HAMELS!
- The Phillies are 14-4 in games where they score at least four runs. When they don't meet that threshold, they are 5-17.
- Michael Bourn, .296 (8-for-27) against Hamels, is not in the Indian's starting lineup this afternoon.
Phillies lineup:
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Michael Young 3B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Delmon Young RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Carlos Ruiz C
- John Mayberry Jr.
- Cole Hamels P.
Indians lineup:
- Drew Stubbs CF
- Jason Kipnis 2B
- Asdrubal Cabrera SS
- Nick Swisher RF
- Mark Reynolds 1B
- Carlos Santana C
- Ryan Raburn LF
- Mike Avilles 3B
- Corey Kluber P.
First Pitch Forecast: Cloudy – 71° – 0% PoP
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Go Phillies!
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.
