PBR - Recently, it doesn't really look like anything can faze Kyle Kendrick.

Not the heat, not the rain ... not even a long delay can rattle him.

The right-handed spot starter threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing a pair of runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in the Phillies' 6-4 win over the Marlins Friday night in a rainy Citizens Bank Park.

Kendrick has pitched well this season, posting a 3.27 ERA in seven starts and also going 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA in his last five starts against National League East opponents.

After Miami jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Giancarlo Stanton's RBI double that scored second basemen Omar Infante in the top of the first inning, Hector Luna singled in both Placido Polanco and Hunter Pence to take the advantage right back.

Luna added an RBI double in the seventh inning to give the Phillies a four-run lead.

Phils catcher Carlos Ruiz has put his average up to .381 with a 3-for-4 night against the Marlins. Chooch now has enough at-bats to qualify for a batting title, putting him into a race with San Francisco left fielder Melky Cabrera for the N.L. lead.

Also, Polanco finished the night 3-for-5 to raise his batting average to .284 for an off-an-on Phils lineup that was hitting on all cylinders with 14 hits Friday.

Kendrick got himself into a jammed with the bases loaded in the third, but got Marlins' outfielder Logan Morrison to ground into a double play and escape any damage.

After nearly an hour-long rain delay, Pence (3-for-4 batting) smashed a two-run home run for the Phillies (28-25) off Miami starter Mark Buehrle to make it 4-1 in the fifth.

Buehrle ended the night allowing four runs on 11 hits in the loss for the Marlins (29-23), who are now just 1 1/2 games above the Phillies in the N.L. East.

Jimmy Rollins hit a roller to first in the sixth inning with one out that scored Freddy Galvis on a hit-and-run to go up 5-2 after Miami added a run itself.

Chad Qualls came in relief for Kendrick. Jose Contreras also made an appearance, albeit a short one due to an injury on the delivery of one of his pitches.

Antonio Bastardo pitched out of the bullpen, giving up back-to-back homers to Morrison and pinch-hitter Justin Ruggiano before rookie Jake Diekman came into the game in the eighth and surrendered a few base runners.

Jose Reyes was 3-for-4 on the game for the Marlins and Morrison went 1-for-5.

Phils closer Jonathon Papelbon had to rescue the 'pen in the eighth for the eventual five-out save, his 15th in as many appearances - tying him for the N.L.-lead.

On Saturday, the southpaw Cole Hamels (8-1, 2.43 ERA) will go for win No. 9, opposed by Miami starter Ricky Nolasco (5-3, 4.26 ERA) in the second game of the series against the Marlins at home. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post