WASHINGTON -- The Philadelphia Phillies hope that Gavin
Floyd fares better at the major league level than he has in the
minors the last four months.
Once considered the organization's top pitching prospect, Floyd
makes his return to the majors Sunday when the Phillies take on
the Washington Nationals in the rubber game of their weekend
series.
The 21-year-old Floyd (1-1, 14.14 ERA) won his first start of
the season vs. St. Louis but struggled as both a starter and
reliever thereafter and was demoted to Class AAA
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 23.
The righthander continued to struggle with the Red Barons, going
6-9 with a 6.16 ERA. Floyd jumps right into the thick of a
pennant race Sunday as Philadelphia holds a half-game lead on
Florida and Houston for the National League wild card.
After posting a 7-1 triumph Friday in the series opener, the
Phillies put up a valiant effort Saturday, rallying for three
runs in the ninth to tie the score. However, Preston Wilson
delivered the game-winning single in the 12th to lift Washington
a 5-4 victory.
The Nationals turn to Esteban Loaiza (9-10, 3.73), who had won
three of his last four starts before a poor outing Wednesday at
Atlanta. The veteran righthander was reached for five runs,
seven hits and four walks in just 4 1/3 innings of the 5-3
setback.
Loaiza already has faced the Phillies four times this year,
going 0-2 with a 4.10 ERA. He is 2-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 11
lifetime games - 10 starts - against them.