Jerome Williams looks to get back on track against Padres

Sep 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerome Williams (31) pitches during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

In his last two starts Jerome Williams has shown glimpses of the player he was this season with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.

In six starts as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, Williams has a 3-1 record and he hopes to win his fourth in Monday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres.  His last two starts, however, have been a no-decision and a loss as he went just five innings in each.  In the three games with the Phillies Williams has not earned the win he has allowed at least one home run and he allowed two in his last start.

With 94.1 innings under his belt in 2014, Williams has thrown 41.2 on the road and just 26 on the road.  The right-hander has faced the Padres six times, mostly recently in 2005.  At PetCo Park he owns a 1-1 record in two career starts there.

The Padres will send Andrew Cashner to the mound with a very misleading 3-7.  In 101.1 innings this season Cashner has given up just 34 runs, but only 27 of them have been earned.  He owns a 2.40 ERA and has given up two runs or fewer in nine of his last ten games.  In that span he has only won once, that came in his most recent start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in which he went seven innings and allowed two earned runs.

Cashner has pitched against the Phillies seven times, starting against them just once.   He last faced Philadelphia in 2013, earning the win at Citizen’s Bank Park though he allowed a solo home run to Cody Asche.

Phillies’ closer Jonathan Papelbon is coming off an ejection after a gesture caused him to be tossed from Sunday’s series finale against the Miami Marlins.  Papelbon blew his fourth save of the season in the 5-4 Phillies’ loss and seemingly grabbed his groin area in response to boos from his home crowd.  He’s undoubtedly looking to put the incident behind him and it’s not likely he’ll be used at all Monday seeing as he pitched in the last three games.

Philadelphia’s 69-80 record is quite similar to San Diego’s 68-80 record, although the Phillies are 5-5 in their last ten games and the Padres are just 2-8.

The Padres have a 40-31 record at home this season.