By Sam Bush
Vince Velasquez allowed two hits over seven innings as the Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 5-0 for a split in their doubleheader.
In the opener, Freddy Galvis had his second straight three-hit game back in Philly and Tyson Ross ended a seven-start winless streak in the Padres’ 10-2 victory.
The Phils widened their NL East lead to one game over second-place Atlanta.
Velasquez (6-8) struck out seven and walked one, pitching no-hit ball until A.J. Ellis singled off the left-field wall starting the sixth. In his only previous start against the Padres, he struck out 16 and walked none in a three-hit shutout on April 14, 2016.
Once a pitcher who had trouble with high pitch counts that frequently eclipsed 100 pitches in five innings or fewer, Velasquez threw 87 pitches in seven innings against the Padres. He worked the ball in and out while keeping the game moving along, going at least six innings for the fifth time in his last six starts. The lone exception game on June 30 when he was forced to leave a game after being hit on the right forearm with a line drive after the second inning.
“I think that’s been what has been the big turnaround for me,” Velasquez said. “Finding that tempo and pretty much driving through the game and having the ability to go long distances in the game. I’m pretty much starting the game and controlling it.”
Odubel Herrera hit a solo homer in the fourth against Luis Perdomo (1-5). After a pair of batters reached against Perdomo in the seventh, Carlos Santana hit a bloop run-scoring single against Phil Maton and Rhys Hoskins added his second homer of the day and 16th this season, a three-run drive. Coming into Sunday, Hoskins had not homered since June 29
Nick Williams had three hits in the nightcap.
Galvis was 6 for 11 with four RBI in the series. He spent six seasons with the Phillies before he was dealt to San Diego in December for right-hander Enyel De Los Santos.
Galvis had a two-run single in a three-run first inning in the opener. Ross (6-8) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings.
“It was a grind early on,” Ross said after Game 1. “I had to make some adjustments and I settled in. But the offense did a good job of putting up runs early. After that, I just felt like I had to protect the lead.”
The Phils were hitless in 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners in Game 1. Nick Pivetta (6-8) gave up six runs — four earned — and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked none.
