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Posts Tagged ‘Ryan Howard’

Ben Revere can’t make the catch on Adam LaRoche’s RBI triple in the fifth inning of the Phillies’ 5-2 loss to the Nationals. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

From start to finish, it was a disaster. The approach at the plate against tough righty Jordan Zimmermann wasn’t great. The pitching was less than stellar. The defense was horrendous.

A four-run fourth inning filled with miscues sank the Phillies as the Nationals piled on the runs off one mistake after another.

In the end, it spelled a 5-2 loss for the Phillies in their first game against the Nationals this season on Friday night at Nationals Park.

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Kyle Kendrick is 4-2 with a 2.82 ERA on the season entering Friday night’s series opener against the Nationals. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

There is only one division foe the Phillies have not faced as of yet. That team is the Washington Nationals.

Coming off a series win against the Marlins to open an eight-game road trip, the Phillies (23-24) have a chance to return to .500. To do that, they need to win the series opener against the Nationals (24-23).

Kyle Kendrick (4-2, 2.82 ERA) will start for the Phillies. Kendrick suffered the loss in his last start, a 10-0 Phillies’ loss to the Reds, despite allowing only four of the runs in seven innings. Kendrick was 2-2 against the Nationals with a 2.89 ERA in 2012. In his career against the Nationals, Kendrick is 4-5 with a 4.68 ERA. At Nationals Park, he is 2-1 with a 4.36 ERA.

The Phillies will face right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (7-2, 1.62 ERA). Zimmermann lost his last start to the Padres, allowing only two runs – one earned – in eight innings. Zimmemann was 1-2 with a 3.71 ERA against the Phillies in 2012. In his career against the Phillies, Zimmermann is 1-4 with a 5.06 ERA. At Nationals Park, Zimmermann is 16-13 with a 3.46 ERA.

Game notes and lineups are available after the jump.

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Chase Utley could be out for some time after suffering a ribcage injury on Tuesday in batting practice. (Kevin Durso/Phillies Network)

On the same day they suffered an embarrassing 5-1 loss to the Marlins, the Phillies learned they would be without Carlos Ruiz for a month and possibly be adding Ryan Howard to that list. Howard returned the next night, but Chase Utley was scratched from the lineup.

The injury bug has come along and bit the Phillies big time this week. Ruiz, Howard, Utley and Mike Adams all have missed games this week.

But the Phillies also did what they had to. They put the tough loss behind them, buckled down and got two wins in Miami.

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Ryan Howard is greeted by Tyler Cloyd after exiting in the eighth inning. Howard had three hits and three RBI in the Phillies’ 7-3 win over the Marlins. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The lineup card featured a familiar face on Tuesday night. But moments before the start of the game, it lost another.

Chase Utley was absent from the lineup as a late scratch after suffering soreness in his ribcage during batting practice. But Ryan Howard made up for his absence in the lineup Monday night in a big way.

Howard returned to the lineup with three hits and three RBI, leading the Phillies’ offense in a 7-3 win over the Marlins on Tuesday night at Marlins Park.

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Tyler Cloyd took a no-decision in his only start of 2013, allowing two runs to the Diamondbacks in 6 1/3 innings. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

There is no other word for it. Losing for the fourth time in games against the Marlins is downright embarrassing. Not to mention this lowly team can boast three straight wins against the Phillies.

Now, the Marlins (13-32) send a promising young arm to the mound with a chance to claim the series while the Phillies (21-24) turn to a rookie of their own.

Tyler Cloyd (0-0, 2.84 ERA) gets the start for the Phillies. Cloyd’s only start in the majors this season came against the Diamondbacks. He allowed two runs on two hits in 6 1/3 innings as the Phillies would eventually lose to the D’Backs, 3-2. Cloyd is making his first career start against the Marlins and at Marlins Park.

The Phillies will face right-hander Jose Fernandez (2-2, 3.48 ERA). Fernandez took a no-decision in his last start, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings to the Reds. Fernandez has faced the Phillies twice this season, including getting his first major-league win in his last start, allowing just one hit in seven shutout innings. At Marlins Park, Fernandez is 0-0 with a 2.12 ERA.

Game notes and lineups are available after the jump.

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Freddy Galvis rounds third after hitting a walk-off home run against the Reds on Sunday. (Kevin Durso/Phillies Network)

When you look at the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, there are certain people you expect to be heroes. Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis are not usual suspects.

Aroldis Chapman is one of the best closers in baseball. There aren’t many pitchers that can consistently fire pitches at triple-digit speeds.

Chapman had pitched 153 2/3 innings in 157 games. He was a career 14-9. He had allowed 40 earned runs, 80 hits, struck out 242 and allowed seven home runs. In all 157 games, Chapman had never allowed two home runs in the same outing.

The two hitters left to face Chapman after Cliff Lee’s caught stealing for the first out had a total of 16 home runs.

Then the Sunday afternoon magic happened.

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Freddy Galvis leaps into the celebration at home plate after hitting a walk-off home run in the ninth inning of the Phillies’ 3-2 win over the Reds. (Kevin Durso/Phillies Network)

There are two words that are usually associated with Aroldis Chapman. They are not walk-off win. They are game over.

But like every closer, Chapman is subject to mortality. The pitcher who usually dazzles with triple-digit speeds was very hittable, topping off at 98 mph on the afternoon. The 98 mph fastball that was Chapman’s fastest ran into the bat of Erik Kratz. Kratz had 11 career home runs entering the game. In his book already was another dangerous and well-established closer: Craig Kimbrel. Add Chapman to the list.

Kratz’ game-tying home run negated a baserunning blunder that appeared to cost the Phillies a chance to at the very least tie the game. After Kratz showed the heroics to tie the game, Freddy Galvis ended it with a blast of his own, giving the Phillies a dramatic 3-2 win over the Reds on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

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Kyle Kendrick starts as the Phillies bid for the series win against the Reds. (AP Photo/Matt York)

A little drama highlighted the Phillies 5-3 win over the Reds on Friday. The series against the Reds has started the same way the series against the Indians did: with a win.

But the Phillies flopped in the series finale against the Indians on Wednesday. Saturday marks the second of three games against the Reds.

The Phillies (20-22) attempt to creep to within a game of the .500 mark against the Reds (25-17).

Kyle Kendrick (4-1, 2.47 ERA) gets the start for the Phillies. Kendrick took a no-decision in the Phillies’ 4-2 win over the D’Backs on Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits in seven hits. Kendrick faced the Reds on April 16, pitching seven shutout innings allowing two hits. In his career against the Reds, Kendrick is 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA. At Citizens Bank Park, he is 29-26 with a 4.34 ERA.

The Phillies will face right-hander Bronson Arroyo (3-4, 3.76 ERA). Arroyo shut out the Brewers through 6 2/3 innings in getting the win. Arroyo faced the Phillies on April 15, allowing two runs in eight innings and getting the win. Arroyo is 3-7 with a 6.00 ERA in his career against the Phillies. At Citizens Bank Park, he is 1-2 with a 9.60 ERA.

Game notes and lineups are available after the jump.

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Ryan Howard scores on a sacrifice fly by Carlos Ruiz in the eighth inning of the Phillies’ 5-3 win over the Reds. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

The biggest hit of the game for the Phillies might have gone 45 feet. Ryan Howard finally found a new way to beat the dreaded shift.

After Antonio Bastardo gave up a game-tying home run in the top of the eighth, the Phillies managed two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on some very little plays.

With another save from Jonathan Papelbon, the Phillies held on for a 5-3 win over the Reds in the series opener on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.

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Cliff Lee bids for his fifth win of the season in the series opener against the Reds on Friday. (AP Photo/Matt York)

After another series split, this time in two games with the Indians, the Phillies close out the homestand against more stiff competition.

It was a week and a half ago that the Phillies traveled to San Francisco fresh off a loss having to face a red-hot Giants team, currently on a six-game winning streak. The Phillies took two of three games in the series.

The Phillies (19-22) are facing the Cincinnati Reds (25-16) also currently on a six-game winning streak. They will bid for a similar result this weekend.

Cliff Lee (4-2, 2.86 ERA) will start for the Phillies. Lee pitched seven shutout innings allowing just three hits against the D’Backs in a 3-1 win on Saturday. Lee allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings in a no-decision against the Reds on April 15. The Phillies would go on to lose that game 4-2. In his career against the Reds, Lee is 6-2 with a 3.79 ERA. At Citizens Bank Park, he is 17-12 with a 2.72 ERA.

The Phillies will face Tony Cingrani (2-0, 2.89 ERA). Cingrani allowed two runs in four innings in his last start against the Brewers. Cingrani is making his first career start against the Phillies and at Citizens Bank Park. Cingrani appeared in three games as a reliever in 2012 and has made five starts this season.

Game notes and lineups are available after the jump.

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