clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Phillies vs. Nationals: Darin Ruf earns first career start

The Philadelphia Phillies are in their last home set of the season, taking on the Washington Nationals, meaning Cole Hamels' start in tonight's series opener will be the last for the ace at Citizens Bank Park this year.

The interesting addition to the Phillies' lineup is certainly Darin Ruf, who was honored as the Phillies' best minor league hitter and was called up on Sept. 10. Ruf's 38 home runs at Double-A Reading broke a franchise record set by Ryan Howard and was the most in the minors this season. So far, he's 0-for-2 with an RBI for his career, with both at-bats coming this season, so the 26 year old be looking for his first career hit tonight.

Here's the Phillies' lineup for the evening:


1. Jimmy Rollins (S) SS
2. John Mayberry (R) CF
3. Chase Utley (L) 2B
4. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
5. Carlos Ruiz (R) C
6. Domonic Brown (L) RF
7. Darin Ruf (R) LF
8. Kevin Frandsen (R) 3B
9. Cole Hamels (L) P

Ruf, hitting seventh, also provides a righty bat against Detwiler instead of Juan Pierre. Although he is typically a first baseman, he will play left field tonight, so Ryan Howard can play his usual spot.

Here's the Nationals' lineup:

1. Jayson Werth (R) RF
2. Bryce Harper (L) CF
3. Ryan Zimmerman (R) 3B
4. Adam LaRoche (L) 1B
5. Michael Morse (R) LF
6. Ian Desmond (R) SS
7. Danny Espinosa (S) 2B
8. Kurt Suzuki (R) C
9. Ross Detwiler (R) P