Categories: Gameday

Phillies begin a nine-game road trip seeking revenge in Miami

Vince Velasquez is coming off a five-inning outing, allowing just one run against Miami. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire)

The Philadelphia Phillies (43-38) are fresh off of a four-game sweep of the Mets and now down in Miami looking for revenge on the Marlins (30-49). Prior to their four-game series against New York, the Phils suffered an embarrassing three-game sweep at the hands of the last place Marlins.

With Atlanta losing to the Cubs on Thursday, the Phillies enter play on Friday 4.5 games behind the Braves for first place in the NL East. After their series in Miami, Philadelphia heads to Atlanta for a rematch with the Braves.

Opening the series for the Phillies will be right-hander Vince Velasquez. After a nine-game stint in the bullpen, the Phillies have given Velasquez more shots at the fifth spot in the rotation.

In his first try, on June 16 against the Braves, Velasquez lasted just 2.1 innings in a 15-1 loss in Atlanta. His last time out was significantly better against the Marlins at home. Although he went just five innings, Velasquez gave up only one run on five hits while striking out five in a 5-3 loss.

The Phillies bats came alive in their series against the Mets. The offense scored 31 runs in those four games. In their previous three games against the Marlins, the club managed to push just eight runs across the plate.

The Phillies capped that Mets series off with back-to-back spirited, come-from-behind, walk-off victories. On Wednesday, Jay Bruce doubled to center to score the winning run in the 10th. On Thursday, the Phillies entered the 9th inning up 1-0, but fell behind 3-1 heading into the bottom half. Maikel Franco first hit a two-run shot to tie the game, and then Jean Segura laced a line drive, three-run homer to left to seal the sweep.

Phillies Lineup

Marlins lineup

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Matchup

Vince Velasquez (2-4, 4.40 ERA) vs. Elieser Hernandez (0-2, 4.34 ERA)
Velasquez has started twice against the Marlins this season and performed well in each outing. In 11 combined innings, he’s allowed just two runs on three hits.

Hernandez, 24, will be making his fourth start for Miami. His last game came in a 5-3 win against the Phillies. In five innings, he gave up three runs on four hits in a no-decision.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

The current Marlins roster has just a .150 average in 100 at-bats against Vince Velasquez. Riddle has enjoyed the most success against the Phillies righty, going 3-for-8 with a double, homer and four RBIs.
Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper both have homers against the 24-year-old Hernandez.
The Phillies are 4-0 since veteran utility man Brad Mil ler, better known as Bamboo Brad brought a lucky bamboo plant into the clubhouse. The plant will travel with the team to Miami
Prior to the game, the Phillies announced that reliever Tommy Hunter has been activated from the IL. Having spent the entire season there to this point, hopefully he will inject a productive, veteran arm to the bullpen. Adam Haseley has also been activated from a rehab assignment at Double-A Reading and sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Phillies top prospect Alec Bohm made his home debut for Double-A Reading on Thursday night. The 22-year-old out of Wichita State went 2-3 with a home run, two runs scored, two RBIs and a walk. He’s slashing .217/.357/.522 in his first six games with the Fightin’ Phils.