After beginning their road trip on a high note, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to take another series from the Philadelphia Phillies. A victory on Wednesday will also ensure Los Angeles remains in first place in the National League West.
Scott Kazmir takes the mound against the Phillies for the second time in as many starts. He suffered the loss in the previous outing, though pitched well enough to earn a win. Kazmir allowed two runs on four hits and had six strikeouts over six-plus innings.
He exited with two runners on, both of whom scored on a Freddy Galvis go-ahead home run. Kazmir has suffered a loss in his last three starts after going 7-0 over a stretch of 13 outings.
The 32-year-old enters 9-6 with a 4.44 ERA, 4.35 FIP and 1.28 WHIP this season. Kazmir last pitched at Citizens Bank Park in 2013. He’s allowed six runs on 12 hits in 10 innings in two career starts at the Phillies’ home stadium.
Kazmir gave up two home runs in each of the games. Philadelphia counters with Jake Thompson, who was promoted earlier this month. The 22-year-old tossed five innings on Aug. 12 to earn his first Major League victory.
Thompson allowed just three runs in the outing after giving up six runs in 4.1 innings to the San Diego Padres in his MLB debut. He faces a Dodgers lineup that’s fresh off matching a season high with 15 runs scored.
Chase Utley hit a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, in Tuesday’s series opener, and Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal also homered.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Josh Reddick
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Howie Kendrick
P: Scott Kazmir
Phillies lineup:
2B: Cesar Hernandez
CF: Odubel Herrera
LF: Aaron Altherr
1B: Tommy Joseph
3B: Maikel Franco
C: Carlos Ruiz
SS: Freddy Galvis
RF: Peter Bourjos
P: Jake Thompson
