The first meeting of the season between the Phils and Nats didn't go exactly as planned last night. Kyle Kendrick didn't have his stuff and was all over the place and thanks to a Ben Revere goof, the Nationals gained a lead in the fifth inning and ran away with it, 5-2. Taking the first game of this three-game weekend series, the Phillies are looking to even things up to get to .500 for the first time in over a month. At 23-25, the Phils will send out Jonathan Pettibone (3-0, 3.00 ERA) to face the Nationals, who will be lead by Dan Haren (4-5, 5.54 ERA) in game two this evening.
Jonathan Pettibone has a perfect record so far this season and he intends to keep it that way for as long as possible. Coming off of his longest start of his career on Sunday, Pettibone allowed an earned run over seven innings while scattering seven hits. The right-hander walked three and struck out four, but took the no-decision. Pettibone hasn't given up more than three runs in all six of his starts this season. Tonight will be his first career against the rival Nationals.
Dan Haren is far from the pitcher he was two years ago in 2011. In seven of his nine starts this season, Haren has allowed at least seven hits in a single game. He has also allowed four or more runs in three of those starts, including his last outing. On Sunday against San Diego, Haren was tagged for seven runs on nine hits through five innings. He walked two and struck out five to take his fifth loss of the year. Haren is 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA at home this season, but owns a 1-4 record and a 6.04 ERA on the road. Haren will look to improve on that home record as he takes on Philadelphia, a team he has an 0-3 record and a 6.14 ERA (15 ER in 22 IP) against in three career starts.
Game Notes:
- Jonathan Pettibone hasn't given up more than three runs in all of his six starts.
- Mike Adams will be back with the team in time for Sunday's game.
- Dan Haren does not have a good track record against the Phils, owning an 0-3 record in three starts.
Phillies lineup:
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Freddy Galvis 2B
- Michael Young 3B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Delmon Young RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Erik Kratz C
- Ben Revere CF
- Jonathan Pettibone P.
Nationals lineup:
- Denard Span CF
- Bryce Harper RF
- Ryan Zimmerman 3B
- Adam LaRoche 1B
- Ian Desmond SS
- Kurt Suzuki C
- Tyler Moore LF
- Steve Lombardozzi 2B
- Dan Haren P.
First Pitch Forecast: Sunny/Windy – 65° – 0% PoP – NW 20 MPH
TV: FOX
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
