The Phillies made a newsworthy roster move on Friday afternoon when they optioned struggling Cody Asche to Triple A Lehigh Valley (see story). The player Asche was optioned to make room for makes his return to the Phils' lineup Friday night when the Colorado Rockies come to town to open a three-game set (7:05/CSN).
Peter Bourjos will start in left field and bat eighth on Friday in his return to the big leagues. It'll be Bourjos' first MLB action since July 26, when he injured his shoulder crashing into the wall in Miami while trying to make a catch.
On the season, Bourjos is batting .253 with four homers and 20 RBIs. In a 5-3 win over the Rockies at Coors Field on July 8, Bourjos drilled a double off Jon Gray, Friday's Rockies starter. Gray got the best of Bourjos in their other two encounters that night, forcing him to strikeout both times.
Also of note, Ryan Howard is back in the Phils' lineup as he will bat fifth and start at first base. Howard as been on a bit of a hot streak lately (see story), hitting .350 with four homers, two doubles and eight RBIs since the All-Star break. He provided a clutch three-run, pinch-hit double in the 9th inning of Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Lifetime vs. Gray, Howard is 0 for 3 with two strikeouts.
Both teams' lineups for Friday night's contest can be found below;
Phillies
1. Cesar Hernandez 2B
2. Odubel Herrera CF
3. Aaron Altherr RF
4. Maikel Franco 3B
5. Ryan Howard 1B
6. Cameron Rupp C
7. Freddy Galvis SS
8. Peter Bourjos LF
9. Jake Thompson SP
Philadelphia Phillies
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Rockies
1. Charlie Blackmon CF
2. D.J. LeMahieu 2B
3. Nolan Arenado 3B
4. David Dahl LF
5. Gerardo Parra RF
6. Nick Hundley C
7. Ben Paulson 1B
8. Daniel Descalso SS
9. Jon Gray SP
