Game 103: Howard sits again

Ryan Howard is not in the Phillies starting lineup for the third consecutive game for tonight's matchup at Citizens Bank Park against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Darin Ruf against starts at first base and will hit seventh. Ruf has gone 1 for 6 in the previous two games.

With Arizona throwing LHP Wade Miley (6-6, 4.16 ERA), it's not surprising that Howard is sitting. When he sat Thursday against San Francisco Giants righthander Tim Hudson, that was a surprise. Howard has is a career .328 hitter against Hudson in 80 plate appearances.

Jimmy Rollins is two plate appearances away from guaranteeing his $11 million option for 2015, so long as he is not on the disabled list at the end of the year.

Kyle Kendrick (4-10, 4.87) starts for the Phillies. Kendrick has a 10.80 ERA in the first inning He is coming off Sunday's 8-2 loss at Atlanta.

Here is the Phillies lineup.

1.Grady Sizemore, CF

2. Jimmy Rollins, SS

3. Chase Utley, 2B

4. Marlon Byrd, RF

5. Carlos Ruiz, C

6. Domonic Brown, LF

7. Darin Ruf, 1B

8. Cody Asche, 3B

9. Kyle Kendrick, P