Phillies at Rays
The Philadelphia Phillies have rebounded from a tumultuous start to the season with six victories in the last seven outings as they prepare to visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for the second of a three-game interleague series. First-year manager Gabe Kapler was taking criticism while the Phillies opened with four losses in five games, but they edged the Rays 2-1 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Philadelphia gave up 33 runs in the first five games of the season and has allowed 17 during its surge after limiting Tampa Bay to four hits Friday and stranding six baserunners. Former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta will try to continue the strong work on the mound for the Phillies and Tampa Bay counters with fellow right-hander Chris Archer, who has yet to lose a game but has not earned a quality start in three tries. The Rays could not do much against five Philadelphia pitchers Friday to lose their 10th game in 13 opportunities to open the season and scored two or fewer runs for the seventh time. First baseman C.J. Cron had two of Tampa Bay’s hits in the series opener and is 4-for-12 over the last three games after going 5-for-33 to start his first campaign with the team.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (1-0, 5.94)
Arrieta allowed three runs (two earned) in the first inning of his Phillies debut last Sunday, but yielded just two baserunners in the next three frames before being removed after 74 pitches. The 32-year-old TCU product, who was signed to a three-year $75 million deal on March 11, struck out five and walked two against Miami without getting a decision in a 6-3 loss. Wilson Ramos is 3-for-4 and Carlos Gomez 3-for-10 with a homer versus Arrieta, who is 3-3 with a 5.35 ERA lifetime against the Rays.
Archer earned his first victory Monday when he held the Chicago White Sox to four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old North Carolina native has struck out 22 and walked seven combined in three starts covering 16 2/3 innings while averaging 93 pitches. Carlos Santana is 6-for-16 with two doubles against Archer, who faces Philadelphia for the first time and is 6-8 with a 2.79 ERA in 19 interleague matchups with 132 strikeouts in 116 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays recalled OF Johnny Field from Triple-A Durham and designated RHP Ryan Weber for assignment Friday.
2. Philadelphia OF Nick Williams has hit safely in six consecutive games, going 6-for-17 in that stretch.
3. Tampa Bay SS Adeiny Hechavarria has not committed an error in 63 straight contests.