Kendrick Audtitions For Fourth Ace Spot

Hi, my name is Kyle Kendrick and I am a Major League pitcher.  No, seriously, I am.

Kendrick tossed his first complete game shut out for his career tonight as a guy who has never quite had a secure spot on this Phillies team.  He was once a starter moved to the bullpen then pulled back into the rotation and, again, trotted back out to the pen.  And tonight, he was a starter, the bullpen and the winning pitcher of a complete game shut out beating the Cardinals 4-0.

Complete (game) chaos – Kyle Kendrick tossed just the second complete game tonight for the Phillies this season.  The other was thrown by Roy err, I mean Cliff oh, no wait it was Cole doh, ah yes it was the Kentucky Kid himself Joe Blanton.  Obviously the Phillies rotation this season hasn’t gain as much notoriety as years past but they have gotten it done when they needed to.

Kendrick went the distance for just the second time in his career to pick up his first win of the season.  He gave up seven hits, didn’t walk a batter and needed only 94 pitches to finish off the Cardinals.

Double duty – Four Phillies hit doubles against St Louis pitching tonight.  Shane Victorino his his 11th of the season and John Mayberry Jr. already has nine in his limited time.  Brian Schneider, in his reserve role, had a double as well and is hitting .310 while filling in when Carlos Ruiz gets the night off.

Cleaning day – The Phillies will go for the unlikely sweep of the defending World Champs today with Roy Halladay on the mound.  The 2:15 start time seems encouraging.