Roberto Hernandez Takes On Alfredo Simon, Reds As Phils Look to Surge In Cincinnati

Let's just say that when it comes to Cole Hamels and the Reds, the Reds are always on the short end of the stick. Last night, for the tenth time in his career, Cole Hamels defeated the Reds. With strong offensive support from his teammates at the plate, Hamels manned the hill for 7 2/3 scoreless innings before being pulled at 125 pitches. He allowed five hits, two walks and struck out seven as the Phillies snapped their 6-game losing streak. Today the Phillies will send out Roberto Hernandez (2-3, 4.03 ERA) to take on Alfredo Simon (7-3, 3.03 ERA) and the Reds in game two of this three-game series. 

Roberto Hernandez has struggled this season, posting a 4.03 ERA in ten starts. He hasn't pitched past six innings in eight of his ten starts and has left many of his starts up to the bullpen. He is coming off of a loss against the Mets on Monday. Hernandez allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits through 5 1/3 innings. The loss comes as Hernandez's fourth of the season and second in his past three starts. He will look for his first win since May 4th today as he takes on the Reds – a team he has a career record of 0-1 against. Despite the loss – Hernandez has allowed just two earned runs over 18 innings against them.

Alfredo Simon is looking for his eighth win today as he goes out against a Phillies lineup that is coming off a 8-0 win last night. Simon is coming off of a win against the D-backs Sunday afternoon. Simon allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings of work to get the W. Simon is 2-1 in his last three starts, but it didn't come easy as he has a 4.07 ERA in that span. Leading his team in wins (7), Simon is looking to take on the Phils and suceed. In his career aganst the Phils, Simon is 1-1 with a 0.75 ERA (1 ER in 12 innings).

Game Notes:

• With last night's 8-0 win, Cole Hamels is now 10-0 with a 1.36 ERA in 13 starts against the Reds (including postseason).
• Chase Utley went 3-for-3 with an RBI last night.
• Carlos Ruiz is hitting second in today's lineup.

Today's Lineups:

Phillies lineup:

1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Carlos Ruiz C
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
   
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Cesar Hernandez 3B
8. Ben Revere CF
9. Roberto Hernandez P.

Reds lineup:

1. Billy Hamilton CF
2. Skip Schumaker LF
3. Brandon Phillips 2B
4. Jay Bruce RF
5. Devin Mesoraco C
6. Todd Frazier 1B
7. Zack Cozart SS
8. Ramon Santiago 3B
9. Alfredo Simon P.

First Pitch: 4:10 PM ET
Location: Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, Ohio
Weather: 83° – Sunny – 0% Precip
TV: CSN

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.