Philadelphia @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2012 ) Philadelphia 4, Milwaukee 7
The Milwaukee Brewers certainly flexed their muscle in the series opener. After belting four homers to produce all seven runs, the Brewers will look to continue their offensive onslaught on Friday when they face the Philadelphia Phillies in the second contest of their four-game set. Corey Hart blasted a grand slam in the eighth inning and Ryan Braun broke out of a major slump with his 17th career multi-homer game in Milwaukee's 7-4 victory on Thursday.
After benefitting from three blown saves in its previous series with Milwaukee, Philadelphia saw its bullpen treated rudely in the series opener. The Phillies' season-long troubles have seemingly gotten the better of Jimmy Rollins, who was on the receiving end of some critical words from manager Charlie Manuel after the star shortstop admittedly didn't hustle in the previous series versus Miami. Rollins looked like a different player Thursday, stealing two bases.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WB17 (Philadelphia), FSWI (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vance Worley (6-7, 3.97 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (11-8, 3.78)
Worley struggled in his last outing versus Milwaukee, yielding three runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings on July 25. The 24-year-old didn't pick up a decision in that contest, but is 0-1 in his brief career against Milwaukee. Worley allowed four runs for the second straight outing, but walked away with a no-decision after 5 1/3 innings against St. Louis on Sunday.
Gallardo recorded his third straight victory after striking out eight over 7 2/3 sizzling innings versus Houston on Sunday. The 26-year-old Mexican snapped a six-game stretch of allowing a homer in the 5-3 victory. Gallardo has won both career starts against the Phillies but has yet to face them this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mired in a 6-for-42 slump, Braun took early batting practice Thursday - and it paid off handsomely. The reigning National League MVP belted solo homers in the first and fourth innings.
2. After going hitless against Miami, Philadelphia slugger Ryan Howard collected three hits on Thursday. He is 2-for-5 with a homer in his career versus Gallardo.
3. Milwaukee RHP Shaun Marcum is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday. Marcum is nursing a sore right elbow.