Phillies look to keep bats hot against Nats
Jul 31, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Marlon Byrd (3) is congratulated by first baseman Darin Ruf (18) after scoring a run against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies had to go to their bullpen early Thursday night, but their offense provided plenty of support in a 10-4 win over Gio Gonzalez and the Nationals.
On Friday Philadelphia will go to bat against Doug Fister (10-2) who won four games in as many starts during July. Fister faced the Phillies on June 5th, going seven innings and allowing two runs while picking up the win. After that start his ERA was 3.19. Since then his ERA has gone down to 2.69 in his last eight starts.
Ben Revere will lead off for the Phillies Thursday. He’s coming off a 4-for-6 game against Washington to cap off a July which he hit .359 with a .781 OPS. At Nationals Park this season he is 6-for-18 with a double.
Grady Sizemore will join Revere in the outfield again after joining in on the dominant offense Thursday night. He went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in. Sizemore also hopes to carry his July success into August, he batted .328 with an .818 OPS.
Right-hander Roberto Hernandez will toe the rubber for the Phillies Friday. In his only start against the Nationals this season Hernandez threw 7.1 shutout innings and gave up only four hits. He’s won two of his last three starts.
The Nationals acquired infielder Asdrubal Cabrera Thursday in a trade with the Cleveland Indians. Cabrera will play second base and bat in the seven hole in his Nationals debut.
Both teams are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but the Nationals lead the division and are 11.5 games above the last-place Phillies.
Starting Lineups 8/1:
Phillies
1. Revere 2. Rollins 3. Utley 4. Howard 5. Byrd 6. Sizemore 7. Ruiz 8. Asche 9. Hernandez
Nationals
1. Span 2. Rendon 3. Werth 4. LaRoche 5. Desmond 6. Harper 7. Cabrera 8. Ramos 9. Fister