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:

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. CIN: N/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:

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)

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