Padres at Phillies
Bringing back former manager Charlie Manuel as hitting coach earlier this week seemed to be a desperate move for the Philadelphia Phillies, but it has provided immediate dividends. The Phillies have scored 26 runs in three games since Manuel rejoined the club and will go for their season-high fifth straight win when they meet the visiting San Diego Padres on Saturday night.
Marquee offseason addition Bryce Harper has taken off since the arrival of Manuel, going 6-for-12 with four homers and 10 RBIs after going deep for the third straight game in Friday's 8-4 victory. Catcher J.T. Realmuto also is on a tear, hitting safely in five in a row and slamming his third homer in four games Friday to pull Philadelphia into a tie with the Chicago Cubs for the National League's second wild card. San Diego has lost four of five and its fading playoff hopes absorbed a jarring blow when rookie sensation Fernando Tatis Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list with a stress reaction in his back that is expected to end his season. "He had a great season whether or not he comes back for us," Hunter Renfroe told reporters of the team's 20-year-old shortstop and leadoff hitter. "It (stinks) for us, as far as creating runs, creating havoc on the bases.”
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Dinelson Lamet (1-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (7-11, 4.49)
Lamet has failed to pitch beyond five innings in six of his seven starts after striking out seven and permitting two runs and three hits over five frames in a no-decision against Colorado on Sunday. He had his best outing of the year and picked up his only win with a masterful performance in his previous turn, striking out 12 and blanking Seattle on two hits over seven innings. Lamet, who is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in four road starts, won his lone start against the Phillies in 2017.
Eflin was banished to the bullpen after losing four successive starts last month, but he is getting another crack at the rotation with Jake Arrieta expected to undergo season-ending elbow surgery. He had a woeful 12.64 ERA during the losing streak, which culminated with a beating by Atlanta in which he was ravaged for 10 runs in only 2 2/3 innings. Eric Hosmer is 2-for-3 against Elfin, who allowed one run and three hits over 5 2/3 innings in four relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies CF Roman Quinn is 6-for-13 with six runs scored during a four-game hitting streak.
2. The Padres also placed INF Ian Kinsler on the IL due to a herniated cervical disk.
3. Phillies LF Rhys Hoskins (hand) is expected to return to the starting lineup Saturday.