ST. LOUIS – Severino Gonzalez’s big-league debut did not go well. The 22-year-old right-hander did not make it out of the third inning as he was hit hard in an 11-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gonzalez pitched to fellow Panamanian Carlos Ruiz. They became the first Panamanian duo to work together in a starting battery in major league history (see story).
The Phillies scored five runs, almost double their season average, but were 3 for 15 with runners in scoring position. They rank last in the majors in that category at .177 (28 for 158).
The loss dropped the Phillies to 8-13.
St. Louis is 13-6.
Starting pitching report
Gonzalez was tagged for 10 hits and seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. He is likely to make at least one more start over the weekend in Miami as the Phillies wait for Chad Billingsley to complete his minor-league rehab.
Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha allowed six hits and four runs over 5 2/3 innings. Wacha is 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA.
Bullpen report
Jake Diekman’s struggles continued. He entered the game in the fifth inning with the Phils down by three runs. The deficit rose to five runs as Diekman allowed two walks and a pair of two-out hits that scored runs. Diekman stayed on for the sixth and walked another batter but did not allow a run in that frame. He has walked nine batters while striking out 10 in nine innings this season. His ERA is a not-so-perfect 10.00.
The Cardinals’ bullpen pitched scoreless ball.
At the plate
Odubel Herrera drove in a pair of runs for the Phillies with a double and a groundout. Herrera has hit in 14 of the last 17 games.
Chase Utley, who entered the night hitting .113, had an RBI single and an RBI groundout.
Freddy Galvis had three singles and two runs scored. He is hitting .368.
The top four hitters in the Cardinals’ order — Jon Jay, Matt Carpenter, Matt Holliday and Matt Adams — accounted for 10 hits.
Transaction
The Phillies optioned Domonic Brown to Triple A. GM Ruben Amaro explained the reasoning (see story).
Up next
Aaron Harang (2-1, 1.37) opposes right-hander Carlos Martinez (2-0, 1.35) on Wednesday night.
The series concludes Thursday afternoon with David Buchanan (0-4, 7.52) opposing lefty Tim Cooney, who will be making his big-league debut. Cooney is a product of Malvern Prep.