(Sports Network) - The Phillies would love for closer Jonathan Papelbon to
appear in all three games of their weekend series with the Red Sox, which
starts tonight in Philadelphia.
That likely means that the club was in position to win all three encounters.
Cole Hamels gets the call for Friday's opener against Papelbon's former
teammates, with the Phillies left-hander looking to win a sixth straight
decision and remain undefeated against Boston.
Hamels hasn't lost since his first outing of the season on April 9 and has won
his past two starts. His outing on Sunday versus the Padres was his first
since getting a five-game suspension for admitting to intentionally hitting
the Nationals' Bryce Harper in a win on May 6, but the extra time off did not
appear to impact Hamels.
The 28-year-old held San Diego to a run on five hits and three walks over
seven innings of a 3-2 win, moving him to 5-1 with a 2.28 earned run average
in seven starts this season.
"He's doing good. They worked him pretty good," Phillies manager Charlie
Manuel said of his ace.
Hamels has faced the Red Sox four times prior and is 3-0 against them with a
1.44 ERA. Still, it might not hurt to ask Papelbon for some advice given his
familiarity with the franchise.
Papelbon spent his first seven seasons with the Red Sox and posted at least 31
saves in each of his six years as their closer. He logged 219 saves during his
tenure with Boston and also saved three games in the 2007 World Series, which
the Red Sox swept over the Rockies. Papelbon recorded the final out, striking
out a pinch-hitting Seth Smith.
Papelbon joined the Phillies as a free agent this past offseason, signing a
four-year, $50 million deal. He has logged 11 saves in 11 changes so far with
Philadelphia, posting an 0-1 record and 2.35 ERA in 16 games.
It will be up to Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine if Papelbon could face David
Ortiz. Boston will lose its designated hitter spot since it is playing in
Philadelphia, though Ortiz did play some first base last year against the
National League, while Adrian Gonzalez moved from first to right field.
"I think he's fine; I think David could play first base and Adrian looks all
right in the outfield, too," Valentine told Boston's website. "I think David
could play first base, so does Dustin [Pedroia], so does Adrian and so does
David -- and that's what's more important."
The Red Sox are 15-11 on the road against Philadelphia in interleague play,
losing two of three at Citizens Bank Park in 2011. Boston went 10-8 versus the
NL last year, while Philadelphia was 10-8 in interleague play.
Right-hander Daniel Bard will make his first career start against the
Phillies, though he has faced them four times in relief. He has allowed four
runs over 3 2/3 innings over that time while notching a save.
The Boston right-hander had allowed nine runs over back-to-back losses before
beating the Indians on Sunday. Bard, 26, hurled six innings of one-run ball,
yielding six hits and four walks -- including three in one inning -- while
getting plenty of support in a 12-1 win.
After having a five-game win streak snapped on Wednesday, the Red Sox
rebounded to knock off the Rays 5-3 yesterday. Cody Ross hit a solo homer and
drove in four runs, while Marlon Byrd also went deep.
Felix Doubront earned the win, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on six hits
over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked four. Alfredo Aceves
recorded the game's final four outs to pick up his eighth save of the season.
The Phillies also come in on a winning run, having posted a season-high five
straight victories. They extended that streak with an 8-7 win last night over
the Cubs, holding off a late rally.
Carlos Ruiz had four hits and drove in three runs to pace the offense.
"He's staying strong on his backside, he just goes with the pitches, strokes
the ball," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said of his hot-hitting catcher.
"If you watch him, he just hits line drives. That's good."
Hunter Pence had two RBI and scored twice, Jimmy Rollins crossed the plate
three times, and Roy Halladay, who earned his first win in over a month, also
had two hits and scored twice while throwing eight innings of three-run ball.
However, the Cubs scored four times in the ninth to get within one, but
Papelbon got Reed Johnson to ground out, ending the game and giving him the
save.
The Sports Network