After winning their second series in a row in San Diego over the weekend, the Philadelphia Phillies continue their road trip with a stop in Los Angeles for a three-game set against the Dodgers, where they will oppose Chase Utley for the first time since trading him in August of previous year.
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Julio Urias actually gave them one of the better starts in the past 35 games, getting through five innings – the average length of a start since Kershaw left the scene – and claiming his second (and final) victory as a teenager. As the Dodgers pounded the Phillies, the San Francisco Giants played deep into the night in Miami before holding on to first (for now?) with an 8-7 win in 14 innings. “It’s kind of how I have tried to look at it”. The Phillies edged the Padres 6-5 on Sunday as pinch-hitter Tommy Joseph delivered a tiebreaking RBI single in the top of the seventh while the club turned the 32nd triple play in franchise history and first since August 23, 2009, in the bottom of the inning.TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles) PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (3-4, 4.77 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Julio Urias (1-2, 4.98) After throwing his first career shutout on July 22 at Pittsburgh, Eflin was battered in his next two outings. “You haven’t really thought about it during the year, you’re just kind of anxious about winning”, said Seager, who is one behind Glenn Wright’s franchise shortstop mark of 22, set in 1930, and is one of eight rookies to top 20 homers in Dodgers history. A staple of the Phillies’ franchise for over a decade, Utley ranks ninth in club history in hits, fifth in doubles, seventh in RBI and sixth in both home runs and runs scored. On a night when Utley hit a home run, he witnessed an offense powered by 20-somethings.
“I’ve faced Seager a lot in the minors and he’s a good hitter”, Eflin said. Seager, 22, blasted two home runs. He hit a 3-2 pitch over right-field wall in the second for his eighth homer, upping the lead to 6-0.
Philadelphia scored three times in the third to break a 22-inning scoreless streak at Dodger Stadium. “We’re happy to have Josh here to win some games”, manager Dave Roberts said. He only hit two homers in 2003, but he would hit a bunch more as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. The throw did not beat the runner, and the bases were loaded. Cameron Rupp added an RBI single and Philadelphia cut the lead to 6-3.
Grandal recouped a run by unleashing a homer to right field in the third. He is expected back for Friday’s game against the Pirates. LHP Rich Hill (blister on left middle finger), on the DL since July 20, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
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Dodgers: RHP Joe Blanton was placed on the bereavement list. Velasquez will face Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda (10-7, 3.22 ERA) in the second game of the series Tuesday. Velasquez has walked 17 and struck out 34 in his last 36 innings. Philadelphia has lost his last four starts despite a 3.38 ERA.
