Nation Notes: Marlins vs. Phillies

Miami Marlins (38-52) at Philadelphia Phillies (30-62)

Starting Pitchers:
PHI: Chad Billingsley, RHP (1-3, 6.75)
vs.
MIA: Tom Koehler, RHP (7-5, 3.40)

Time: 7:05 EST, Citizens Bank Park
TV: NBC 10
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 86 degrees
Media: Twitter and Facebook

A Note for Today:

After a clutch win last night in the bottom of the 8th inning, the Phillies offense will look to keep momentum going against the proven, Tom Koehler who has allowed only one earned run in his last two starts.

Odubel Herrera came in to pinch hit for Ken Giles to lead off the half inning in the 8th and got on base with a single to left. After Ben Revere was able to bunt Herrera to second, and Cesar Hernandez worked a walk, Maikel Franco came in to hit a fly ball to left field that bounced off the outside of the fielders glove, allowing the go ahead run to score on the error.  After a Ryan Howard strikeout, Jeff Francouer was brought in to pinch hit for Cody Asche against Mike Dunn, who in turn allowed a 3-run, home run to Francouer to put the Phillies ahead 6-2.  Final score finished up 6-3 for the Phillies in the first game back from the all-star break.

Tonight the Phillies will have Chad Billingsley back on the mound who has pitched three straight games since going on the DL in May.  Billinglsey has been fighting for a spot in a starting rotation after being plagued with injuries through the last of his career.  He has pitched 16 innings since returning to the rotation, giving up 12 earned runs, and 2 homeruns, while only collecting 6 strikeouts.

Even with the extra help they spent for the Phillies last night, Herrera and Francouer are both not found in the lineup tonight, while Carlos Ruiz moves up into the 5-spot, perhaps in an attempt to get his bat back.

Lineup:

Revere CF, Hernandez 2B, Franco 3B, Howard 1B, Ruiz C, Brown RF, Galvis SS, Asche LF, Billingsley RHP