Philadelphia Phillies (16-20) at Arizona Diamondbacks (20-15)
Tyler Cloyd (0-0, 0.00 ERA) v. Ian Kennedy (1-3, 5.19)
TIME: 9:40, Chase Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Weather: Arizona
Media: Twitter and Facebook
After seemingly finding their stride in San Francisco, the Phillies once again stumbled, dropping the series opener to Arizona by a score of 2-1. Consistency has eluded the Phils so far. Whenever they seem like they’re about to get rolling, they find a way to lose a few games in a row, usually because the offense disappears again.
Tonight’s matchup will feature the 2013 debut of Tyler Cloyd, pitching in place of the inactive Roy Halladay. Cloyd made waves in the organization last season when he had a superb season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. However, he was underwhelming when he was called up in late August, starting six games and going 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA and a 5.25 FIP. The decision to give Cloyd the start was a curious one, as many with knowledge of the organization thought Adam Morgan would get the call. In six starts at Lehigh Valley this season, Cloyd has gone 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA. He did notch ten strikeouts in his last start, however.
Countering Cloyd will be Ian Kennedy. 2013 has been no picnic for Kennedy so far, and he seems like he may never rediscover the form that made him so dominant in 2011 when he won 21 games and finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting. He has quite a bit of success against the Phils in his lifetime, going 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts.
Charlie Manuel has once again tinkered with his lineup, benching Delmon Young in lieu of John Mayberry and batting the struggling Carlos Ruiz fifth.
Lineup: Rollins SS, Utley 2B, M. Young 3B, Howard 1B, Ruiz C, Brown LF, Mayberry RF, Revere CF, Cloyd P
GAMEDAY BEER: Kona Brewing Co’s Longboard Island Lager
It’s a steamy one in Arizona, and a warm and humid day here in Philly. What better time to bust out a summertime beer. Tonight’s selection comes from the Kona Brewing Co., based in Hawaii. The Longboard Island Lager is a smooth beer with no abrasive tastes at all and an absence of hoppiness. It is slightly sweet with a hint of vanilla. Fire up some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill and crack open one of these delightful brews. – RD
GO PHILLIES
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