Phils win 20-2, because of Kyle Kendrick

20-2. Yea yea, the Phillies scored 20 runs for the second time this season, the first time they’ve done that since 1900. But the bigger story is Kyle Kendrick. Everyone knows the Phillies are going to score runs – they’re 1 run behind the Cubs for the season (Cubs have 374 in 68 games, Phillies 373 in 69 games). They’re going to overtake Chicago in that category, it’s only a matter of time.

So get over the back to back to back homers from Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Pat Burrell. Get over the 9 run 4th inning and Ryan Howard‘s second homer. The real story of this game is Kyle Kendrick, who went 7 innings and allowed only 1 earned run, a Skip Schumaker homer.

The game marked Kendrick’s one year anniversary with the Phils since being called up from AA Reading on June 12 of last year. In that span Kendrick has gone 16-6 over 34 games. By winning pct, he has been great at .727. By ERA, not spectacular at 4.13. Nor by WHIP, a so-so 1.35. Nonetheless, Kendrick eats innings and has the best run support in the league since coming up a year ago. Kendrick averages almost 6 innings per start and the team averages a whopping 8.14 runs per 9 innings when he’s on the mound. Wow?

Kendrick is no Cole Hamels (who, by the way, has weak run support at 5.25 per 9 innings). But Hamels is is an ace. Kendrick is a back of the rotation starter, with a knack for for being in the right place at the right time. He struggled early this season, but the Phillies are 10-1 in his last 11 starts, and 11-3 in all of his starts this season.

For some, unexplained reason, the Phillies produce for the 23 year old. Perhaps the reason is that Kendrick isn’t Cole Hamels. And, maybe that explains Hamels’ poor run support too – because he is who he is.

Kyle Kendrick, a role player, does exactly what is asked of him. This Phillies offense will carry just about anyone who gives them a chance to win (except Cole Hamels), and that’s exactly what Kyle Kendrick does. The best part of it all? Kendrick is still young, a year younger than Hamels (24).

Last season Kyle Kendrick helped lead the Phillies to the playoffs, doing exactly what was asked of him. 14 starts into this season, Kendrick is doing exactly the same thing.

-Greg Berlin

Around the Beast

Braves 4-Mets 2

Atlanta starter Tim Hudson pitched masterfully, surrendering just 2 earned runs in 8 innings, striking out 4 and walking none on 100 pitches. Hudson got the win and is now 7-3 on the year. His only mistakes came in the second inning, when he served up home runs to Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado.

The Mets needed Johan Santana to pitch a gem, but their ace didn’t come through, allowing 3 earned runs on 12 hits in 7 innings on just 90 pitches, walking none and striking out only one. He drops to 5-3 on the season.

The damage came in the 7th, when Beltran misplayed a ball hit by Kelly Johnson, leading to RBIs by Omar Infante (who had been 0-19 against Santana), Chipper Jones, and Mark Teixiera. Willie Randolph didn’t take Santana out of the game, and the inning was only finished by a beautifully executed 1-6-3 double play.

Talk about teams headed in different directions; the hot-hitting Braves have won four in a row and are crusing while the mediocre Mets have lost 7 of 10 and are reeling.

Phillies 7-Astros 5

The Phillies scored early but almost blew it in their first game of the year at Minute Maid Park. Starter Kyle Kendrick did not pitch a great game, giving up 5 earned runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings of work on 91 pitches, walking one and striking out 2. But Astros ace Roy Oswalt was not much better, also giving up 5 earned runs on 11 hits in 6 innings of work, walking 2 and striking out 4 on 95 pitches.

Ryan Howard had a very good night, going 3-5 with a home run (his 14th) and 2 RBIs (and 2 strikeouts, as well). After the Astros had tied the game in the 6th, Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead pinch-hit home run in the 8th off of rookie Wesley Wright. Also driving in runs for the Phillies were Carlos Ruiz, Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins, and Chase Utley (his 33rd of the year). Chad Durbin picked up his first win of the year, and Brad Lidge notched his 12th save of the year, this one against his former team.

Driving in runs for the Astros were Berkman, Brad Ausmus, Ty Wigginton, and Geoff Blum. Wright took his second loss on the year.

Marlins 4-Diamondbacks 0

The red-hot Marlins completed their sweep of the Diamondbacks in an outstanding performance by young Andrew Miller, who shut Arizona out in 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, striking out 9 and walking just one batter on 107 pitches. Miller, who picked up his 4th win, was opposed by Dan Haren, who allowed 4 runs on 8 hits, striking out 8 and walking none on 94 pitches.

Wes Helms drove in two on a pinch-hit double in the 7th to drive Haren from the game. Jorge Cantu also drove in two runs for the Marlins.

 

Beast goes to Houston

I’ll be in Houston this weekend watching the Phils take on the Astros.  I get to see Brett Myers take on Brian Moehler Saturday night and Cole Hamels take on Chris Sampson on Sunday afternoon.  I’ll be updating throughout the weekend and I’ll be sure to post pics of the Phils in Texas.

As for tonight:  Kyle Kendrick takes on Roy Oswalt in the first of a four game set.  Kendrick is coming off a virtual non-start in the rain-delayed game against the Blue Jays on Sunday.  Kendrick ended up only pitching 1 inning because of the break in action.  In his start before, however, he went 6 innings, allowing only 3 run.  The Phillies have won six of nine starts with Kendrick on the mound.

Who knows what we’ll see from the Phillies bats this weekend.  All I know is that Lance Berkman scares th *&^% out of me.

-Greg Berlin

Postgame: Phillies 5-Braves 4 [BEAST-OFF]

The Phillies fell behind 3-0 to the Braves in the first inning after RBI hits by Chipper Jones and Jeff Francoeur.  But Kyle Kendrick quickly calmed down after the first inning.  He ended up going the next five innings without allowing a run.  That gave him his third 6 inning, 3 earned run outing in a row.  From a guy fifth in the rotation, the Phillies should be happy that he gives them a chance to win.

Offensively, the Phillies came to play tonight.  Facing Jo-Jo Reyes, the Phillies started their attack in the 4th, when Jason Werth singled to center, driving in Chase Utley and big-man Ryan Howard.  Howard, who was part of the action all night long, notched an RBI of his own in the fifth, knocking in Shane Victorino.  Later in the inning, Werth continued his barrage, hitting in Howard.  And, in the 7th, Werth would grab yet another RBI to give the Phillies their fifth run.  Werth ended the night with 4 RBIs.

In the 9th, things got a little bit shaky as Brad Lidge faced adversity for one of the only times this season.  With one out, Mark Kotsay walked and then advanced to 2nd base after fielder interference.  At this point, Chipper Jones, who already had 3 hits on the night, hit a bomb just short of the fence in left.  Eric Bruntlett, who pinch-ran for Burrell in the 7th, caught the ball right in front of the wall, saving Phillies fans and Brad Lidge a lot of grief.  But the fight wasn’t over from the Braves.  Brian McCann came up next and doubled, driving in Kotsay and making it a 1 run game.  It should be noted that Jason Werth misplayed the ball, first breaking in and then running backwards as the ball flew well over his head.  He probably should have made the play.

Lidge was having trouble finding the plate at this point and walked Greg Norton, bringing up Francoeur, who was 0-4 lifetime against Lidge.  Falling behind quickly in the count, Francoeur finally lifted a ball between Werth and right fielder Shane Victorino.  Victorino called Werth off at the last second and caught the ball to end the game.  Not a moment too soon for Lidge, who let up his first earned run of the year in 18 innings of work.

The Phillies started their homestand with a thorough game all around, while the Braves continue to struggle on the road.  They are now 5-15 away from Turner Field.  Also, the Phillies have to be outright elated that Ryan Howard finally looks to be coming out of his slump.  He was 2-4 with a long double to center field and now has an RBI in each of his last three games, as well as in 4 out of his last 5 games.  He’s upped his average to .181 for the season.

-Greg Berlin

Beastoff: Phillies vs. Braves – 5/13, 7:05 pm EDT

The Game: Philadelphia Phillies (21-18) vs. Atlanta Braves (19-18)

The Matchup: Kyle Kendrick (2-2, 4.93, 18/12 K/BB, 1.59 WHIP) vs. Jo-Jo Reyes (1-0, 2.25, 6/5 K/BB, 1.75 WHIP)

The Story: The Braves own the league’s worst road record at 5-14. They are coming off losing 3 of 4 in Pittsburgh and they are struggling to get out of 4th place in the division. Hit with injuries to several key players, the Braves are still one game above .500. One of those injuries was to first baseman Mark Texiera, who left yesterday’s game 1 against the Pirates in the 4th inning with back spasms. He did not play in game 2 and no word if he’s in the lineup for today.

The Phillies are also looking to right the ship. After a solid start to May, the Phillies went 3-4 on a somewhat disappointing road trip. Despite splitting 4 games with the NL leading Diamondbacks, they lost 2 of 3 to the Giants after a surprise homer given up by JC Romero to Steve Holm in Sunday’s 4-3 loss.

Kyle Kendrick is coming off of two 6 inning, 3 earned run starts. He earned a no decision in both of those games. In his start previous to those games he went 7 innings. However, he has let up 10, 8, and 7 hits respectively in is last three games. On the bright side, Kendrick has only given up 2 walks in his last 4 starts. Kendrick has gotten generous run support, with the Phillies scoring at least 5 runs in all by one of his starts. Perhaps that is masking Kendrick’s numbers. He has not looked particularly strong in any consistent stretch this season.

Stat of the Day: The Phillies have the 4th worse fielding percentage in baseball at .978. They have 33 errors in 39 games. The Rangers lead the league in errors, with 38 misplays in 40 games.

Lineups:
Phillies
Rollins (SS)
Victorino (RF)
Utley (2B)
Howard (1B)
Burrell (LF)
Werth (CF)
Feliz (3B)
Ruiz (C)
Kendrick (P)

Braves
Escobar (SS)
Kotsay (CF)
Jones (3B)
McCann (C)
Norton (1B)
Francoeur (RF)
Johnson (2B)
Blanco (LF)
Reyes (P)

-Greg Berlin

Postgame: Phillies 5 – Diamondbacks 4

Eric Bruntlett doubled and Chase Utley singled in the top of the 8th for two consecutive RBI hits. Utley’s put the Phils up 5-4. Tom Gordon gave up a leadoff double to Chris Snyder in the bottom half of the inning, but got out of the inning cleanly with three consecutive outs. In the 9th, Brad Lidge went 1-2-3 with two strikeouts and a groundout to first. Ryan Howard finished off the game by diving to touch the bag after electing to finish the play himself.

Before Bruntlett hit the game tying double a scary play happened at first. Shane Victorino struck out swinging, but the ball got passed catcher Chris Snyder and Victorino took off running down the line. As Victorino approached the bag, Dbacks first baseman Conor Jackson reachd in front of Victorino in an effort to catch the ball. A scary collision occurred in which Jackson ended up face down in the dirt and Victorino was clearly shaken up. After a short delay, Victorino stayed in the game and scored from 1st on the very next pitch. Jackson was not so lucky. Clearly shaken up, he walked off the field under his own power.

There was no intentional wrongdoing by Jackson, but I don’t know how responsible it was of him to lean across the basepath in that situation. He was being competitive and trying to make a play. But suppose he caught the ball – Victorino likely would have been called safe because of interference. Luckily, it looks ike both players will get away from this one largely unscaved. In my opinion Jackson should be more careful in that situation. He almost got himself and another player seriously injured.

Kyle Kendrick only let up 3 ER, despite allowing 10 hits and giving up one walk. He threw 60 out of 92 pitches for strikes and punched out two batters in 6 innings of work. It wasn’t pretty – nothing has been for the Phillies this year – but it was a healthy number 5 outing.

The Phillies only managed 7 hits off the Dbacks, and only 4 off of Micah Owings in is 7 innings. Owings recorded 7 strikeouts, allowing 3 ER and 1 HR to Pedro Feliz in the 7th.

This was a gritty, all-around win for the Phils. It wasn’t fun and it wasn’t easy, but they got the job done. The lineup is too potent to ever count them out, and the bullpen is keeping them in every game that isn’t a blow out.

Promising stuff tonight.

-Greg Berlin

Phillies Pregame – 5/7, 9:40 PM EDT

The Game: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Matchup: Kyle Kendrick (6 GS, 2-2, 5.01, 16 SO, 11 BB, 4 HR, 1.55 WHIP) vs. Micah Owings (6 GS, 4-1, 4.42, 30 SO, 12 BB, 6 HR, 1.20 WHIP)

The Story: Kyle Kendrick on the mound as the Phillies look to rebound from last night’s frustrating loss against the Diamondbacks and Randy Johnson.  With any luck, Kendrick will be better than Adam Eaton was last night, walking the Big Unit on FOUR PITCHES!  Of the walk, Eaton said after the game, “It’s pretty pathetic.”  Pathetic indeed.  Eaton started well, but he may be regressing to 2007 form…

The Phils bats weren’t silent last night, but they didn’t get the job done.  They left seven men on base, including men on first and third in the 9th.  The Phils could use this game, as they are going up against surefire Brandon Webb tomorrow.  He’s 7-0 with a 2.49 ERA, and yes, you read that correctly.

Phils are gonna need some luck in the next couple days.  All hands on deck!

Stat of the Day: Kyle Kendrick’s opponents’ batting average is .293. Oy…

PTB! That’s Pat The Bat for you newcomers – Phillies 6, Giants 5

BAT!

What a night down at the Bank. Pat Burrell stole the show after the Phils almost let this one get away from them. Down to their last strike in the 10th inning, down 5-4 with Chase Utley on first, the BAT smashes a ball over left field fence for the 2-run walk-off, clinching the 6-5 win for the Phils. The hard-throwing Brian Wilson gave up the four base trip to Burrell, who is putting up the best numbers of his career.

Chase Utley started the Phils scoring early with a 2 run shot in the first for his major league leading 12th home run. The Phillies scored two more on a homer by Pedro Feliz in the 4th, but they relinquished the 4-1 lead after a hit parade by the Giants in the 7th.

That brings me to the subject of Ryan Madson, who has struggled consistently this year and was responsible for letting in the tying run. He has a 5.28 ERA in 14 appearances, but he has not looked on his game at all. Truthfully, I haven’t seen strong stuff out of Madson for a couple seasons. Watch for his name to be floated around for moves later in the season. He’s simply not cutting it in Philly.

Kyle Kendrick has a solid line for the night: 3 earned runs over 6.0 innings, as well as 6 strikeouts and no walks. Can’t ask for much better from your “5th” starter. More on the pitching front: The Giants took a 6-5 lead in the 10th after Aaron Rowand, in his first game returning to CBP, connected off of JC Romero for his third homer of the season. Per ESPN:

Romero, the Phillies’ left-handed relief ace, hadn’t allowed an earned run in 28 1/3 innings, dating to last season. He pitched 12 2/3 scoreless innings this year before Rowand took him deep. It was the first homer Romero allowed in 60 appearances, spanning 45 2/3 innings.

It’s ain’t pretty breaking a streak like that, but at least he did it for good measure: Burrell’s shot in the bottom half of the first extra inning was exactly what this Phillies team is about. Expect many o’ night like this over the next five months.

Lastly, Ryan Howard was tossed in the at bat previous to PTB’s bomb. Howard was angry over a couple of calls before he was finally caught looking. On the way back to the dugout some choice words with the ump got him the boot. Howard was 0 for 5 with 3 strikeouts on the night. Clearly, he is still frustrated.

Phightins 9-3 in their last 12. That’s all for me up in Mets country.

–Greg Berlin

The Rest of the East [Pregame Roundup]

San Francisco at Philadelphia: The Phillies are in first place and the Giants are not, which should say something about this series. Aaron Rowand returns to Citizen’s Bank Park for the first time since the Giants signed him to a [ridiculous] deal. Kyle Kendrick (2-2, 5.13) tries to find his groove for the Phils against Pat Misch (0-0, 3.00) who makes his first start after being recalled from AAA.

San Diego at Florida: The Marlins will take the field tonight without Josh Willingham, who was placed on the DL today with soreness in his back. Hanley Ramirez moves to third in the order to compensate for the lack of power. The ageless Luis Gonzalez get the start in left. Justin Germano (0-2, 6.04) goes against Mark Hendrickson (4-1, 3.68).

Cincinnati at Atlanta: Young Edison Volquez (4-0, 1.23) is just one of the few bright spots for the Reds this season, and he takes the mound tonight against Tim Hudson (3-2, 3.74), who many suspect might have a nagging injury that has affected his performance this year. We’ll see if he can last more than three innings tonight.

Phillies Weekly Bea(s)t

– Off day for the Phils. Let’s take a look at how they did on their road trip.

Monday, April 21- Phillies 9, Rockies 5
Kyle Kendrick gets the nod against Mark Redman. Kendrick pitches 5 innings, letting up 5 ER, 8 hits and 2 HR. Chase Utley homered in in his 5th straight game, tying a team record. Utley was on the back end of the all too unconventional back-to-back homers. Before Utley’s dinger, Jason Werth hit an inside-the-parker. The play at the plate wasn’t even close.

TIMEOUT: FLYERS SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRE!!!!!!!!!!

Now where were we….

Tuesday, April 22 – Phillies 8, Rockies 6
Brett Myers gets his first start of the week. Myers pitches 7 innings, but lets in 6 ER and 2 HRs. Ryan Madson picks up the win after Pat Burrell breaks open the game with a bases clearing double, 3 RBI double. As with the whole season, Myers continued to shy away from his fastball, formerly his bread and butter pitch. More on that later.

Wednesday, April 23 – Phillies 4, Brewers 5
This has to be the most frustrating game of the week. Cole Hamels have a rough first inning, letting up 3 ER, including a 2 run shot to Prince Fielder. But Hamels quickly settles down and goes the next 6 innings innings looking like the star that he, notching 10 Ks and allowing only 4 hits from the 2nd inning through the 7th. 110 pitches into the game, with the best bullpen in the NL, Charlie Manuel decides to put him back out there. It wasn’t the gameplan, and a two-run shot to Prince Fielder, his second of the game, would spell the end for Cole. It wasn’t as if the Phillies didn’t have a chance to win the game. Chase Utley, Greg Dobbs, and Pat Burrell all homered. In the 9th inning So Taguchi walked, and then stole 2nd and 3rd. Jason Werth and Pedro Feliz (big shocker) couldn’t convert, and the Phillies lose 5-4.

Thursday, April 24 – Phillies 3, Brewers 1
The Pat Burrell show continues. Deadlocked at 1-1 in the 8th, BAT comes up

FLYERS SCOOOOOOOOOREEEEEE!!!! (shorthanded too!)

Anyways, Pat Burrell comes up 1-1 in the 8th and – as if anyone didn’t see it coming – he hits a two run double to put the Phils up 3-1. Lidge would come in to seal it for his 5th save of the year. However, the most impressive player of the game was Jamie Moyer. The 45 year old Philly native hurled 6+ innings of 8 hit, 1 run ball. That’s as good as you can hope for from the old man.

Friday, April 25 – Phillies 6, Pirates 5
(3-0! Flyers just won’t let up!)
The Phillies jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead by the 4th inning. Adam Eaton was pitching strong to start, but ended up letting in 3 ER in only 3.2 IP. JC Romero comes in and pitches himself into a nasty jam, but he gets out of it to keep his 0.00 ERA perfect on the season. Brad Lidge gets save number 6.

Saturday, April 26 – Phillies 8, Pirates 4
Quick start again for the Phightins, 5-0 in the first inning. It all began with Ryan Howard‘s 2-run jack in his first at bat after two days coming off the bench. Kyle Kendrick let up 4 ER and 8 hits, but pitched strong into the 8th inning before being pulled. He’s putting together a string of (somewhat) solid starts. Good to see after his poor start to the season.

Sunday, April 27 – Phillies 5, Pirates 1
A loss would be a loss if Brett Myers wasn’t on the mound. For the second time in a week Myers shies way from his fastball. He’d talk about it in the postame, and I’ll talk about it in my next post. It’s troubling at best. As for the rest of the game, Nate McClouth hit a lead of home run and another in the 5th off of Myers. The Phillies bats were largely silent for this one. Can’t win ’em all.

Beastily facts to take away from the week:

• Pat Burrell and Chase Utley continue to tear things up. ‘Nuff said.
• Jason Werth quietly hits 4 HRs. He’s seeing some real playing time because of the injury to Victorino. It’ll be interesting to see what Manuel does with Werth. Geoff Jenkins is having a hard time living up to just (poor) hype thus far. Werth and Jenkins both hit roughly .260 against righties. But against lefties Werth is hitting .333, while Jenkins is hitting only .100! That’s the only stat I need. I’d have Werth out there every game. Use Jenkins off the bench. Good luck seeing that happen anytime soon…
• Jamie Moyer continues to fit his role. Now, his role is more like a 5th starter than a 3rd, but he’s doing his part just fine.
• The bullpen continue to dominate.
• The Phils go 5-2 despite a couple of frustrating losses. Still, can’t complain. Good trip.

-Greg Berlin

P.S. GO FLYERS!!