Howard stays in seventh spot for third-straight game

WASHINGTON - Ryan Howard is batting seventh on Saturday afternoon for a third-straight game, the first time in his career that he has spent three-straight games in that lineup position.

Howard was hitless in his first three at-bats on Friday before driving in the Phillies' final run of a 7-2 loss. It was Howard's second-straight game with a ninth-inning single. He has six hits this season in 36 at-bats. Saturday is the 23rd time in Howard's career that he has batted seventh. He has a .294 average in 71 at-bats in the position.

Ben Revere is not starting for the third-straight game, as Darin Ruf gets the start in left. Revere has five hits this season is 37 at-bats. He is off to the slowest start in his career. Ruf has struck out five times in his last seven at-bats. All but one of his 10 strikeouts have come against righthanded pitching. Washington righthander Jordan Zimmerman will be no easy task.

Here's the rest of the Phillies lineup:

1. Odubel Herrera, centerfield

2. Freddy Galvis, shortstop

3. Chase Utley, second base

4. Jeff Francoeur, right field

5. Cody Asche, third base

6. Darin Ruf, left field

7. Ryan Howard, first base

8. Cameron Rupp, catcher

9. Aaron Harang, pitcher