Kendrick, Brown Shine in Phillies Win
It never gets old when your number five starter and a promising rookie pull through in the clutch. With the Braves victorious, the Phillies needed to keep pace as Kyle Kendrick took the mound. After all was said and done, Kendrick would toss six innings while allowing two runs. He was sharp too; KK did not walk a batter and K’d five in the Phillies 7-2 win; their 11th in the last 13 games.
Domonic Brown continued to impress as he knocked in three runs on a 1-for-5 night. Even when he wasn’t swinging the bat particularly well, the prized rook was able to contribute in a big way.
And then there was Raul Ibanez, who I raved about yesterday. His hot streak continued and at such an opportune time. Ibanez went 2-for-3, raising his average to .269. He also knocked in two runs, picking up the slack without Ryan Howard.
And, without Ryan Howard, Ross Gload hit the ball hard all night. Gload went 1-for-3 with two walks and an RBI, but also played stellar defense at first base. With the acquisition of Mike Sweeney, word is there would be a platoon at first. However, Gload deserves to get the bulk of the time while Howard is out.
The bullpen even did it’s job late as Ryan Madson wiggled out of a potentially dangerous two-on, nobody-out situation, getting the final three Marlins of the inning to sit. Brad Lidge was given a five run cushion in the ninth, which he relished by throwing a clean inning.
