With Ruiz back Phillies look to avoid series loss

Jun 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (51) and starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) run out of the dugout to start a game against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 5-3 in the bottom of the fourteenth inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Ruiz will be in the Phillies lineup Wednesday night for the first time since June 26th, but it could be the last time he’s in a battery with A.J. Burnett.

It’s likely scouts from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles will once again be on hand.  Burnett gets the ball against the San Francisco Giants, a team he is historically strong against.  He has a 6-3 record with a 2.60 ERA for his career against the current National League West leaders.  This season Burnett is 6-9 and allowed six runs in five innings Friday night against Atlanta.  The Phillies hope he can go deep into the game since the bullpen combined for 8.1 innings in Tuesday night’s 14-inning marathon.

Burnett opposes Madison Bumgarner (11-7) for the Giants.  Bumgarner is 1-2 lifetime against the Phillies, but has never pitched in Citizens Bank Park.  He won his last outing against the Miami Marlins Friday night.  Burnett may want to keep an eye on him at the plate since he has two grand slams and a solo home run this season with a .256 average.

In addition to Ruiz, Darin Ruf is in the Phillies lineup after being sent down and taking time off in Triple-A with a wrist injury.  With the lefty Bumgarner going for the Giants he will start at first base in place of Ryan Howard who is hitting .156 this month.

One bright spot on recent Phillies box scores has been Jimmy Rollins who has homered five times in his last ten games.

The Phillies have lost three straight and six of their last ten.

Starting lineups 7/23:

San Francisco Giants (56-44)

1. Hunter Pence (R) RF
2. Ehire Adrianza (S) 2B
3. Buster Posey (R) C
4. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
5. Michael Morse (R) LF
6. Adam Duvall (R) 1B
7. Tyler Colvin (L) CF
8. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
9. LHP — Madison Bumgarner (11-7, 3.38)

Philadelphia Phillies (43-57)

1. Ben Revere (L) CF
2. Jimmy Rollins (S) SS
3. Chase Utley (L) 2B
4. Marlon Byrd (R) RF
5. Carlos Ruiz (R) C
6. Domonic Brown (L) LF
7. Darin Ruf (R) 1B
8. Andres Blanco (S) 3B
9. RHP — A.J. Burnett (6-9, 4.08)