The Phillies have had little trouble with the Miami Marlins thus far this series, scoring 12 runs and six runs, respectively. Depite Jonathan Papelbon's interesting ninth inning last night, the series has been all Phillies thus far. The Phillies hope to continue their winning ways tonight at Citizens Bank Park. With Kyle Kendrick on the shelf with shoulder soreness, Zach Miner will take Kendrick's turn tonight. The Marlins will send to the mound Nathan Eovaldi.
Eovaldi joined the Marlins last season as the centerpiece in the Hanley Ramirez trade. After going 4-13 with a 4.30 ERA last season, Eovaldi began 2013 in the minors. After re-joining the Marlins rotation in June, Eovaldi is 3-6 with a 3.80 ERA. Three of the losses were clearly earned, giving up six, nine, and five earned runs in those starts. Eovaldi's other three losses featured two earned runs, one earned run, and two earned runs, thanks to little to no run support. Eovaldi's most recent win included eight shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves on September 1.
However, his most recent start on September 8 against the Nationals was just three innings, after giving up five earned runs. Since then, Eovaldi has not pitched due to soreness in his back. Eovaldi reportedly feels better, but the Marlins will be watching him carefully tonight in South Philadelphia.
Zach Miner will make his first Phillies start tonight after 13 bullpen appearances for the Phillies. Signed as a minor league free agent, Miner was summoned from AAA Lehigh Valley on August 1 after J.C. Ramirez's early success hit a brick wall. Miner was in and out of the Iron Pigs rotation, including a start like tonight's. On June 1 Miner made an emergency start for the Iron Pigs after Jonathan Pettibone was called up to the Phillies. Miner went five shutout innings in that start, en route to an Iron Pigs win. Miner ended up starting 12 games for the Iron Pigs. As a starter he was 2-4 with a 3.66 ERA.
Game Notes:
- Cesar Hernandez continues to have a dominant September. He reached base two more times yesterday. He now has a .349 average in September with a .451 on base percentage and a .870 OPS.
- Roger Bernadina will start in right field, so Darin Ruf will play first base today.
- The Phillies are now 17-13 under Interim Manager Ryne Sandberg
- Marlins outfielder Juan Pierre doubled last night . That double tied him with Joe DiMaggio on the all-time hits list with 2215 hits.
Phillies Lineup:
- Cesar Hernandez CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Domonic Brown LF
- Darin Ruf 1B
- Cody Asche 3B
- Roger Bernadina RF
- Zach Miner P
Marlins Lineup:
- Donovan Solano 2B
- Ed Lucas 3B
- Christian Yelich LF
- Giancarlo Stanton RF
- Justin Ruggiano CF
- Logan Morrison 1B
- Adeiny Hechavarria SS
- Jeff Mathis C
- Nathan Eovaldi P
First Pitch: 7:05 p.m.
TV: CSN Philly
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
