Writer: Brandon Apter

Phils Look to Sweep NL Best Brewers Behind Buchanan

Brandon Apter Sports Editor

Published10 Jul 2014

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After posting a 1-5 record to start this road trip against the Marlins and Pirates, the Phillies (40-51) are aiming for a sweep today, yes a sweep, of the Brewers (52-40), who hold the best record in the National League. Today's game is a 2:10 matinee. The Phils took game one, 3-2, behind a strong pitching performance from Cole Hamels and the relievers that followed him, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon. Kyle Kendrick gave up seven runs in game two of the series, but the Phillies offense out-slugged the Brewers and won, 9-7. Last night, behind a great outing from Roberto Hernandez and homers from Utley and Rollins, the Phils took game three by a score of 4-1. Today, the Phillies look to break out the brooms against the best team in the NL, but will not have the easiest task going up against Matt Garza.

The Phillies will send David Buchanan (4-5, 4.82) to the mound in the series finale. The right-handed rookie has held opponents to three runs or less in each of his last five starts, most recently against Pittsburgh in a hard luck 3-2 loss. Buchanan threw six innings and gave up three runs in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Pirates. He has shown that he can last deep in games, going six or more innings in five of his nine starts this season. With the Phillies offense as inconsistent as they come, Buchanan has been the victim of poor run support, especially in his last two starts. The Phils scored just four runs for him in his last 11 innings pitched. Buchanan's best outing came against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 19th. He tossed 7.2 stellar innings, surrendering just one run on four hits while striking out four.

As mentioned before, the Brewers will attempt to salvage a game in this four-game set behind Matt Garza (6-5, 3.78), who is coming off of his best outing of the year. Garza went the distance against the Reds his last time out, scattering just two hits in the complete-game effort. He set down nine Reds hitters via the strikeout. Garza has faced the Phillies a number of times, including earlier this season in a 9-4 Brewers win in Philadelphia on April 9th. Garza did not factor into the decision after throwing six innings and giving up three earned runs. The Brewers righty is 2-1 with a 1.77 ERA in his career against Philadelphia. In 40.2 innings, he has given up just eight earned runs. In his last seven starts, Garza is 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA.

Game Notes:

Jimmy Rollins has tseen the most of Garza on the Phillies, gathering just three hits in 20 at-bats. Marlon Byrd has two homers, nine RBI's and seven strikeouts in 19 at-bats.
The Brewers rank sixth best in Major League Baseball when it comes to run scored and slugging percentage.
Though they may have the best record in the National League, Milwaukee has lost seven of their last eight games.
After hitting up in the .340's earlier in the season, Chase Utley has somewhat come back to earth. He has heated up over the last seven days though, going 9-for-24 with two homers and eight RBI's. His average sits at .294 on the season.
Cliff Lee pitched four innings last night for Clearwater and gave up three runs, all in his final inning of work. He is scheduled to pitch again for them on Monday.
Catcher Wil Nieves caught Lee's start and went 1-for-2 at the plate in the Threshers 6-5 comeback win, their fourth consecutive victory. They scored five runs in the top of the ninth.

Phillies Lineup: