David Buchanan hopes to get things back on track when he faces the Washington Nationals at 1:35 p.m. ET Sunday at Nationals Park.
The Phillies enter the contest with a 4-8 record and sit five games behind the New York Mets in the NL East.
By PATRICK GORDON | Managing Editor
April 19 2015. 9:30 AM EST.
@PGordonPBR
On Deck: David Buchanan (0-2, 11.42) enters Sunday seeking his first win in 11 starts, dating back to Aug. 6, 2014. He has been hit hard in both of his starts this season, surrendering six runs in his first start of the year against Boston, then allowing five runs over 5 2/3 innings last week against the New York Mets.
Buchanan will be opposed by RHP Stephen Strasburg (0-1, 6.75) who has struggled too to open the season, allowing at least five runs and nine hits in both of his outings this year.
Saturday Notes:
- The Phillies have hit a combined .211 on the current road trip and are averaging just 2.5 runs scored per game.
- Jonathan Papelbon picked up his third save of the season on Saturday, leaving him three shy of the Phillies' franchise record of 112 held by Jose Mesa.
- Entering Saturday, the last time the Phillies opened the road portion of their season with five consecutive losses was 1988.
- Despite his recent troubles, Buchanan has posted a 3.11 ERA over his last nine starts on the road.
- Domonic Brown went 0-for-4 Saturday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Tweet of the Day:
Chase Utley is hitting .119 this year but everyone is so focused on Ryan Howard and his struggles? Why is that always the case?
— Pat Gallen (@PatGallen_975) April 19, 2015
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