By: Brandon Apter, contributor 
Atlanta, GA – Looking to finish off their 10-game road trip on a high note, the Phillies (19-15) aim to take the rubber match of their three-game set with the Braves (8-24) tonight at Turner Field.
Last night, the Phillies offense only mustered one run as the Braves took game two of the series, 5-1. Jerad Eickhoff fell to 1-5 on the year after allowing three earned runs in just 4.1 innings of work. Freddie Freeman homered for the second straught game and last-minute call-up Williams Perez allowed just one run on two hits in eight innings.
Tonight, the Phillies will send Vince Velasquez to the mound to oppose 23-year-old right-hander Aaron Blair of the Braves.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (19-15) | Atlanta Braves (8-24) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Aaron Blair | ||
| (4-1, 2.17 ERA) | (0-2, 3.31 ERA) | ||||
In his last start, Vince Velasquez earned a no-decision in Miami after pitching six innings and allowing a season-high four earned runs while striking out five. He has struck out 44 batters this season and walked just 11 in 37.1 innings. His 0.96 WHIP and .188 average against ranks eighth in Major League Baseball.
The Braves will give the ball to rookie right-hander Aaron Blair, who posted a 3-0 record and a 1.42 ERA with Triple-A Gwinnett before getting the call to the big leagues. Although he has yet to notch his first career win, Blair has been solid over his three starts with the Braves, allowing six earned runs in 16.1 innings.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (19-15) | Atlanta Braves (8-24) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 1 | RF | Nick Markakis | L |
| 2 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S | 2 | CF | Ender Inciarte | L |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | 2B | Kelly Johnson | R |
| 5 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 5 | C | A.J. Pierzynski | R |
| 6 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 6 | 3B | Gordon Beckham | R |
| 7 | LF | David Lough | L | 7 | 2B | Erick Aybar | R |
| 8 | P | Vince Velasquez | R | 8 | P | Aaron Blair | S |
| 9 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 9 | CF | Mallex Smith | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Each of the Phillies last seven wins have been by one run. They lead the Major Leagues with a 15-3 record in one-run games this season.
- The Braves win over the Phillies on Wednesday marked just their second victory in 18 games at Turner Field this season. Their 1-16 home start was the worst opening home stretch since 1913 when the Yankees went 0-17-1.
- Freddie Freeman is hitting .419 with five homers and 17 RBI in his last 16 games against the Phillies.
- Philadelphia has been outscored 40-26 over their last nine games during the road trip, posting a 4-5 record.
- Eight of Ryan Howard's 18 hits this season have gone for home runs. He's 3-for-22 on this road trip. All three hits were homers.
- CSNPhilly points out that Maikel Franco has been held hitless in seven of his last 12 games and that he has the same number of homers (7), RBI (18) and walks (7) through 32 games this season as he had in 2015 through 32 games.
What's Next:
- Friday, May 12th, 2016: vs. Cincinnatti Reds, 7:05 p.m.
- Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Jeremy Hellickson (2-2, 4.91 ERA) vs. LHP Brandon Finnegan (1-1, 4.15 ERA)
- TV: CSN, MLB.TV; Radio: 94 WIP
