Ruiz to make history as Phillies try to avoid dropping series

Carlos Ruiz will make franchise history tonight when he takes the field for the Phillies.

When the Phillies take the field tonight they will look to avoid dropping back-to-back home series against the Marlins for the first time since October 2, 2009 to April 18, 2010.

The Phillies fell to the Marlins on Monday, 5-3. Starter Jerad Eickhoff tossed six innings, surrendering three runs on six hits.

Tonight, Vince Velasquez takes the ball. The righty enters Tuesday with the seventh best strikeout rate in the National League (28.7%). He pitched to a no-decision last week in Atlanta, tossing six innings while surrendering four runs on five hits. He walked a pair and collected five strikeouts.

Velasquez is one of only two pitchers in baseball this season to have an ERA below 3.00, WHIP less than 1.00, while also averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Marlins counter with left-hander Wei-Yin Chen.

Phillies Lineup
1. Herrera, 8
2. Hernandez, 4
3. Franco, 5
4. Joseph, 3
5. Ruiz, 2
6. Galvis, 6
7. Goeddel, 7
8. Velasquez, 1
9. Bourjos, 9

Of Note
Carlos Ruiz will become the fourth player in franchise history with 1,000 or more games played at catcher, joining Mike Lieberthal (1,139 from 1994-2006), Red Dooin (1,124 from 1902-1914), and Bob Boone (1,095 from 1972-1981). 

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BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com