Philadelphia Phillies go for series win against Arizona Diamondbacks behind Roberto Hernandez

Roberto Hernandez. Image Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Diamondbacks (45-59) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (45-59)

Game time: 1:35 PM at Citizens Bank Park

TV: CSN

Pitching Matchup: Vidal Nuno (2-6) vs. Roberto Hernandez (4-8)

The Philadelphia Phillies will look for a series win on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in the final game of a three-game series. The Phillies won Friday’s game by a score of 9-5, while Arizona took Saturday’s extra inning affair 10-6 in ten innings.

The Phillies will send Roberto Hernandez to the mound on Sunday. This will be Hernandez’s second start against the Diamondbacks in 2014. When he faced them in April, he took the loss, after giving four earned runs in six innings. Aaron Hill was Hernandez’s chief tormentor in that game, as he went 2-4 and hit a two-run home run.

Vidal Nuno. Image Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks will counter with lefthander Vidal Nuno who was acquired from the Yankees in a trade earlier this month. After dazzling in his National League debut (seven scoreless innings), he has struggled in his two most recent starts, giving up a combined 7 earned runs in 9.2 innings pitched.

The Phillies have jumped all over the Diamondbacks starters in both games of the series. It would be beneficial if they could do the same against Nuno, since Hernandez has had some trouble in the early innings recently.

With a lefthander on the mound, it is expected that Ryan Howard will once again be on the bench in favor of Darin Ruf. After two consecutive games off, Howard returned to the lineup on Saturday, recording two hits and a walk in six plate appearances.