Phillies at Diamondbacks
After winning the last five NL East titles, the Phillies are tied for last at 8-10. But they might be snapping out of it. Philadelphia’s 8-5 win over Arizona on Tuesday featured homers by Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino and Laynce Nix. The eight runs were the most the Phillies have scored since an 8-2 win over the Mets on April 15, and a welcome relief for a team that ranks third to last in MLB in runs scored.
Arizona has lost six of eight after a strong start. The front end of the rotation is outstanding, but the back end is shaky at best. Star outfielder B.J. Upton is off to a slow start following his thumb injury, batting .239 with three RBIs in 46 at-bats.
TV: 3:40 p.m., TCN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (2-1, 2.95 ERA) vs. D-Backs RH Trevor Cahill (1-1, 2.84 ERA)
Hamels has gotten progressively better in his three starts, throwing 61 of 92 pitches for strikes in his last outing, a six-inning stint against the Padres. Hamels has fanned 23 batters and walked only two this season. In six career starts vs. Arizona, Hamels is 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA.
Batters are hitting just .197 against Cahill, who was victimized by poor defense in his last outing, against Atlanta. He induced 12 ground-ball outs by the Braves. Phillies LF Juan Pierre is just 4 for 18 (.222) against Cahill in his career. In his one previous start against the Phils, Cahill allowed one run over 7 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. OF Hunter Pence (shoulder) returned to the Phillies’ lineup Tuesday and went 1 for 4 with a two-run homer. He was held out Monday after banging his shoulder while diving for a ball Sunday.
2. Phils 1B Ty Wiggington has hit in seven straight games, going 9 for 25 (.360).
3. Arizona sent down reliever Joe Paterson, who had given up 15 hits and 11 runs in just 2 2/3 innings, and recalled lefty Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Reno.