Phillies' Eickhoff, Braves' Newcomb get rematch
ATLANTA -- The last time Jerad Eickhoff and Sean Newcomb faced each other, both pitched well, but neither wound up with a decision.
Philadelphia's Eickhoff (2-7, 4.56 ERA) and Atlanta's Newcomb (1-6, 4.61) get a rematch when the teams conclude a two-game series Wednesday at SunTrust Park.
The Phillies won the first game 5-2 on Tuesday. Philadelphia has won 10 of 12 games against its National League East rival.
"Sometimes you get a team that you get ahead of and just kind of beat, and hopefully that will continue," Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin said.
Eickhoff and Newcomb squared off on July 29 in Philadelphia. The Braves got two unearned runs off Eickhoff in the first inning and a run against him in the fifth. Philadelphia managed only two hits against Newcomb and scored once in the fourth. Both pitchers left after throwing five innings, and the Phillies eventually won 4-3 in 11 innings.
That was Newcomb's only start against Philadelphia in his career.
The two starters share similar stories. Each began his career in another organization and was obtained as part of a deal to acquire prospects.
Eickhoff, 27, was part of the Texas organization and joined the Phillies in 2015 in the trade that sent Cole Hamels to the Rangers.
Newcomb, 24, was drafted by the Angels and came to Atlanta in 2015 in a trade that sent shortstop Andrelton Simmons to Los Angeles.
Eickhoff will be making his 20th start of the season and fourth against Atlanta. The right-hander is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings against the Braves this season. In 12 career starts against the Braves, Eickhoff is 2-2 with a 1.98 ERA.
In his most recent start on Aug. 3, Eikhoff pitched six innings and allowed three runs but did not get a decision against the Angels.
"It starts with fastball command," Eickhoff said. "For me, that's the key. I felt good and felt like I could locate the ball."
Newcomb will be making his 11th start. The left-hander has struck out 55 but has walked 32 in 52 2/3 innings. Since a three-game rough patch in early July, Newcomb has made five straight starts in which he has not allowed more than three runs.
In his most recent start on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Newcomb pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and seven walks.
"I've just got to do a better job of pounding the zone and stop trying to miss so many bats," Newcomb said. "I think I'm trying to be too fine, trying to punch people out and make things happen myself instead of letting them hit it by getting it in the zone a little more."
The Braves will be without shortstop Johan Camargo, who sustained a bone bruise in his right knee while talking the field on Tuesday night. Camargo had an MRI exam and was placed on the disabled list. Minutes after Camargo's injury, the Braves had shortstop Dansby Swanson removed from the lineup for Triple-A Gwinnett's game against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Swanson is expected to be recalled to Atlanta for the Wednesday game.
