Cozens Optioned, De Los Santos Recalled, Curtis Claimed As Phillies Oppose D-Backs

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Looking to rebound from the series opener loss, the Philadelphia Phillies (63-49) and RHP Nick Pivetta will oppose five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner and 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner RHP Zack Greinke and the Arizona Diamondbacks (63-51) Tuesday evening at Chase Field. 

Prior to the game, the Phillies optioned outfielder Dylan Cozens to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and recalled RHP Enyel De Los Santos. In addition, the Texas Rangers claimed former Phillies LHP Zac Curtis off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Round Rock. Curtis was designated for assignment on July 31 to clear a 40-man roster spot for catcher Wilson Ramos. The 26-year-old posted a 1.86 RA in 9 2/3 innings this season, albeit allowing 10 walks.

Despite starter RHP Jake Arrieta tossing eight scoreless innings, the Phillies were edged 3-2 in Monday evening's 14-inning, three-game set opener. The game remained scoreless until the seventh, when Odubel Herrera hit a one-out triple to deep center, scoring Asdrubal Cabrera from first following his single. Jorge Alfaro hit a sacrifice fly RBI two batters later, giving the Phillies a 2-0 advantage. Unfortunately for the Phillies, Seranthony Dominguez faltered in the ninth with a blown save for the second straight game. Facing southpaw Austin Davis in the 14th, David Peralta hit a first-pitch, one-out home run to left center to win the game. The final 13 Phillies batters failed to reach base in extras.

The Phillies have lost nine of their last 11 meetings against the Diamondbacks, outscored 55-32, and have also dropped four straight games at Chase Field. The Phillies are 31-37 all-time at the venue, which opened in March 1998.


Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (63-49) Arizona Diamondbacks (63-51)
RHP Nick Pivetta RHP Zack Greinke
(6-9, 4.75 ERA) (12-6, 2.96 ERA)

RHP Nick Pivetta, Age: 25

  • 2018 vs. ARI: N/A
  • Career vs. ARI: 0-1, 20.25 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 2.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, HR, 5 BB, 3 SO, 4.500 WHIP
  • Career at Chase Field: 0-1, 20.25 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 2.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, HR, 5 BB, 3 SO, 4.500 WHIP

While Pivetta has struck out 37 batters over his last five starts and 26 2/3 innings, the right-hander has yielded 15 earned runs en route to a 5.06 ERA. Pivetta's first and only career start against the Diamondbacks came on June 26, 2017, in which he and the Phillies fell, 6-1. The right-hander faced just 19 batters in the outing, and allowing seven hits and five walks en route to his fourth-career losing decision.

LastFive

RHP Zack Greinke, Age: 34

  • 2018 vs. PHI: 0-1, 7.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, HR, BB, 9 SO, 1.667 WHIP
  • Career vs. PHI: 8-2, 2.90 ERA, 12 G, 11 GS, 71.1 IP, 55 H, 24 R, 23 ER, 8 HR, 14 BB, 73 SO, 0.967 WHIP
  • Career at Chase Field: 29-10, 3.32 ERA, 53 G, 53 GS, 330.1 IP, 290 H, 125 R, 122 ER, 39 HR, 83 BB, 321 SO, 1.129 WHIP

Among qualified pitchers, Greinke has a MLB sixth-best 1.64 since July 8. The Phillies' Arrieta has a 13th-best 2.01 ERA over this same stretch. Greinke has surrendered two runs or fewer in eight straight starts since June 23.


Starting Lineups:

Philadelphia Phillies (63-49) Arizona Diamondbacks (63-51)
  Position Player Bats   Position Player Bats
1 2B Cesar Hernandez S 1 LF David Peralta L
2 LF Rhys Hoskins R 2 1B Paul Goldschmidt R
3 RF Nick Williams L 3 CF A.J. Pollock R
4 1B Carlos Santana S 4 3B Eduardo Escobar S
5 SS Asdrubal Cabrera S 5 RF Steven Souza Jr. R
6 CF Odubel Herrera L 6 2B Ketel Marte S
7 3B Maikel Franco R 7 SS Nick Ahmed R
8 C Jorge Alfaro R 8 C Jeff Mathis R
9 P Nick Pivetta R 9 P Zack Greinke R


Broadcast Information:

  • First pitch: 9:40 p.m.
  • TV: NBCSP
  • Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

Standings

  • The Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals are playing a doubleheader on Tuesday down in the nation's capital. The Braves fell in the opener, 8-3, increasing the Phillies' lead in the National League East back to 1 1/2 games. (Note: standings accurate as of conclusion of Monday's games).
  • Phillies starting pitching has thrown a National League-best 58 quality starts this season, and ranks second in FIP (3.57), WHIP (1.19), opponent on-base percentage (.299) and opponent slugging percentage (.385), according to MLB.com.
  • In 41 career plate appearances against Greinke, Cabrera is slashing .429/.500/.571 with three doubles, one triple, three RBI, five walks and two strikeouts (click to expand).

CareerVS


What's Next:

Wednesday, August 8, 2018: at Arizona Diamondbacks, 3:40 p.m.

  • Chase Field, Phoenix, Ariz.
  • RHP Vince Velasquez (8-8, 3.80 ERA) vs. LHP Patrick Corbin (8-4, 3.31 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP, MLBN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
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