Fresh off sweeping the Braves at home, the Phillies head into Colorado for a four-game set with the Rockies, the team’s final series before the All-Star break.
Not messing with success, manager Pete Mackanin made just two changes for tonight’s lineup. Cameron Rupp is back behind the plate — batting fifth — after Carlos Ruiz started Wednesday, and Ryan Howard gets the start over Tommy Joseph at first, batting sixth. It will be the "Big Piece’s" first action since Sunday against the Royals.
Rupp is 6 for 15 (.400 BA) so far in July and has his season average up to .283. Before going 0 for 4 Tuesday, Rupp had hit safely in 10 straight games. Howard, on the other hand, is hitting just .151, but he has five hits in his last 21 at-bats.
Nothing else has changed from Wednesday’s lineup, excluding the pitcher’s spot. Odubel Herrera, Peter Bourjos and Cody Asche make up the top three in the order once again. The outfield trio combined for 11 hits and four multi-hit games against the Braves earlier this week.
Freddy Galvis, who hit a game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday, bats seventh and Cesar Hernandez hits eighth.
Adam Morgan toes the rubber tonight, getting a spot start in place of Aaron Nola, who is being skipped this time through the rotation (see story). Morgan has made two relief appearances since his last start on June 22.
Phillies lineup
1. Odubel Herrera, CF
2. Peter Bourjos, RF
3. Cody Asche, LF
4. Maikel Franco, 3B
5. Cameron Rupp, C
6. Ryan Howard, 1B
7. Freddy Galvis, SS
8. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
9. Adam Morgan, P
