Phillies at Giants
One day after making a rare appearance in the leadoff spot, Bryce Harper could find himself there again Saturday when the Philadelphia Phillies continue their four-game series against the host San Francisco Giants. Harper helped the Phillies snap a three-game losing streak with two homers and four RBIs in Friday’s 9-6 victory.
Philadelphia was held to one run in its previous two games before shaking up the lineup on Friday and placing Harper in the leadoff spot ahead of Rhys Hoskins and Corey Dickerson, who were a combined 4-for-9 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Harper is 7-for-21 with three homers and five RBIs over his last five games for the Phillies, who are tied with St. Louis and the New York Mets at a half-game back in the race for the National League’s second wild card. The Giants have dropped seven of their last nine games and fallen four games back of the second wild card spot. Donovan Solano had three hits and Stephen Vogt went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in Friday’s loss, but Evan Longoria was hitless in five at-bats and is batting .191 in 47 games at Oracle Park this season.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1; NBCS Philadelphia, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (4-6, 4.23 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (8-9, 3.70)
Velasquez turned in a strong outing Monday, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings in a 7-3 victory over Arizona. The 27-year-old native Californian has gone 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA over his last three starts. Brandon Belt is hitless in seven at-bats against Velasquez, who gave up two runs over five frames in a 5-1 loss to San Francisco on July 31 and owns a 1-2 record and 3.22 ERA in four career starts versus the Giants.
Samardzija was 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA in six starts in July and opened this month by giving up one run on three hits over four innings against Washington on Monday. The 34-year-old native of Indiana has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts dating back to July 1. Harper is 3-for-19 with four strikeouts against Samardzija, who is 3-5 with a 7.33 ERA in 13 career games (seven starts) versus Philadelphia.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants are hitting .182 with runners in scoring position in their past 16 games.
2. The Phillies placed Jay Bruce on the 10-day injured list with a left flexor strain and recalled fellow OF Adam Haseley from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
3. The Giants activated Travis Bergen from the 60-day injured list and optioned fellow LHP Sam Selman to Triple-A Sacramento.