Velasquez Back On Mound As Phillies Visit Arizona

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies open the final series on their nine-game road trip tonight as they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Phils are 2-4 so far on the trip after losing two out of three in San Francisco over the weekend. The Giants wrapped up the series with an 8-7 walk-off win yesterday.

Vince Velasquez will return from the disabled list to make the start on the mound tonight. Velasquez hasn't pitched for the Phils since June 8th when he threw just two pitches before being sidelined by a biceps injury. He did make one rehab start last week for Double-A Reading, pitching five strong innings. Overall this season, the 24-year-old Velasquez is 5-2 with a 3.65 ERA.

Arizona will counter tonight with left-hander Robbie Ray. he is 4-6 with a 4.59 ERA. One of Ray's wins this season came against the Phillies earlier this month. On June 17th at Citizens Bank Park, Ray threw six innings allowing just two runs in a 10-2 Arizona win. That was one of four wins for Arizona in that series sweep.

The Phillies are 32-45. Arizona brings a 36-42 record into this series.

KYW's Matt Leon spoke with Kevin Cooney of the Bucks County Courier Times about Aaron Nola's struggles, the return of Velasquez and next month's trade deadline.