Phillies at Reds
The Philadelphia Phillies showed resolve in battling back from an early five-run deficit only to run out of steam in their last outing. The Phillies won't have much time to lament that loss as they play the finale of their four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday afternoon.
"I'm glad it's a day game (Thursday), so we can come back and win the series," Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler told reporters after Wednesday's 8-5 setback dropped his club three games behind the idle Chicago Cubs for the second wild card spot in the National League. J.T. Realmuto belted a two-run shot in the fifth inning to tie his career highs in both home runs (21) and RBIs (74) heading into a tilt with Reds right-hander Sonny Gray, against whom he is 0-for-5. Cincinnati's Joey Votto homered, drove in a pair of runs and crossed the plate on two occasions to boost his total to 999 runs scored in his career. The 35-year-old Votto has limited experience (1-for-3) versus veteran left-hander Jason Vargas, who will take the mound on Thursday.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Jason Vargas (6-7, 4.31 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sonny Gray (10-6, 2.80)
Vargas fell to 0-2 with a 5.18 ERA in six starts since being acquired from the New York Mets after allowing five runs in four-plus innings of a 6-3 setback against his former team. The 36-year-old pitched well in a no-decision versus Cincinnati on April 30, permitting one run in three hits in 5 1/3 frames. Eugenio Suarez belted a solo homer off Vargas in the sixth inning of that contest to improve to 5-for-10 with three extra-base hits against the hurler.
Gray sports a 4-0 record with an 0.74 ERA in his last six starts after walking away with a no-decision despite allowing one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings at St. Louis on Saturday. "I very easily could have given up four or five runs," the 29-year-old said. "The plays that we made were really game-saving plays, at least three of them. The outfield made some great catches and some great play." Gray also received a no-decision against Philadelphia on June 9 after permitting three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati owns an 18-37 mark in day games this season.
2. Philadelphia OF Corey Dickerson likely will be available for the finale despite fouling a ball off his foot on Wednesday, Kapler said.
3. Suarez, who leads the Reds in homers (40) and RBIs (87), could return to the lineup after not starting the past three games with a hand contusion.