Phillies, Eflin vie for first May series win in finale against Reds

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Behind right-hander Zach Eflin, the Philadelphia Phillies (17-30) will look to capture their fifth series win of the season as they take on right-hander Scott Feldman and the Cincinnati Reds (23-25) in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies took the second of the three-game series Saturday afternoon in walk-off fashion, as first baseman Tommy Joseph delivered a game-winning RBI single that scored left fielder Aaron Altherr from second. Joseph homered earlier in the game — his eighth  — along with second baseman Cesar Hernandez (5) and right fielder Michael Saunders (6).

With the 4-3 victory, the Phillies avoided their seventh straight game of scoring two runs or fewer — which would have been a franchise first since Sept. 8-14, 1999. The Phillies will look to capture their first series win since April 26-27 in Sunday's finale. They have lost eight straight series for the first time since June 8 to July 6, 2006.


Starting Pitching Matchup:

Cincinnati Reds (23-25) Philadelphia Phillies (17-30)
RHP Scott Feldman RHP Zach Eflin
(3-4, 3.99 ERA) (0-2, 5.36 ERA)

Feldman Career vs. PHI: 0-1, 5.79 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 6 SO, 1.929 WHIP

Feldman, 34, has one career appearance against the Phillies, which occurred on Opening Day of this season — April 3 at Great American Ball Park. Two Phillies hit solo home runs off Feldman in their 4-3 victory, Hernandez and shortstop Freddy Galvis. Feldman's other surrendered run came via a first inning RBI double off the bat of Saunders, making his Phillies debut.

The 13-year veteran — who spent his first eight seasons with the Texas Rangers from 2005 to 2012 — is one of five pitchers to have thrown a complete game shutout this season, joining right-handers Ervin Santana (2), Ivan Nova, Tyler Chatwood and Masahiro Tanaka.

Eflin Career vs. CINN/A

Eflin, 23, has yet to face the Reds through 18 career starts.

The right-hander has surrendered a combined 15 runs (all earned) on 21 hits, four walks and three home runs over his most recent two outings — May 17 away against the Texas Rangers and May 23 home against the Colorado Rockies. In the process, Eflin's ERA nearly doubled, rising from 2.81 to 5.36.


Starting Lineups:

Cincinnati Reds (23-25) Philadelphia Phillies (17-30)
  Position Player Bats   Position Player Bats
1 2B Jose Peraza R 1 2B Cesar Hernandez S
2 SS Zack Cozart R 2 CF Odubel Herrera L
3 1B Joey Votto L 3 LF Aaron Altherr R
4 LF Adam Duvall R 4 1B Tommy Joseph R
5 3B Eugenio Suarez R 5 RF Michael Saunders L
6 CF Scott Schebler L 6 3B Maikel Franco R
7 RF Patrick Kivlehan R 7 C Andrew Knapp S
8 C Tucker Barnhart S 8 SS Freddy Galvis S
9 P Scott Feldman L 9 P Zach Eflin R


Broadcast Information:

  • First pitch: 1:35 p.m.
  • TV: CSN
  • Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP




Game Notes:

  • The Phillies bullpen has an active 19 2/3-inning scoreless streak since May 23. This is their longest stretch since tossing 20 consecutive scoreless innings from April 24 to May 1 of last season.
  • In the month of May, Phillies reliever Hector Neris has posted a 0.84 ERA, allowing just one run on six hits and three walks through 10 2/3 innings. Opposing batters are hitting .162/.244/.189 against the Dominican Republic native with 10 strikeouts.
  • Among qualifying National League outfielders, Altherr ranks fourth in OPS (.959), trailing Bryce Harper (1.122), Michael Conforto (1.074) and Charlie Blackmon (.988).

NL East Standings (entering May 28, 2017)

  W L GB L10 Streak Home Road
Washington Nationals 30 18 5-5 W2 16-8 14-10
Atlanta Braves 21 26 8.5 5-5 L1 10-12 11-14
New York Mets 20 27 9.5 4-6 L1 11-15 9-12
Miami Marlins 17 30 12.5 3-7 L1 7-15 10-15
Philadelphia Phillies 17 30 12.5 3-7 W1 10-12 7-18


What's Next:

  • Monday, May 29, 2017: at Miami Marlins, 7:10 p.m.
    • Marlins Park
    • RHP Jeremy Hellickson (5-2, 4.28 ERA) vs. RHP Edinson Volquez (0-7, 4.82 ERA)
    • TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
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