Bullpen Falters After Rally

The Phillies lost the final game of the series to the Atlanta Braves, 12-6.  The Phils had a huge rally, but the bullpen could not keep the game close.

KENDRICK’S STRUGGLES PUT JOB IN JEOPARDY

-Kyle Kendrick finished the night with an unpleasant line: 3.1 innings pitched, seven hits, six earned runs, and three walks.   The Braves had a four-run second inning, with the biggest hit of the inning coming off pitcher Tim Hudson.  Hudson doubled to center field, driving in two.  The Braves would add two more runs off Kendrick in the fourth inning, thanks to Michael Bourn’s ninth home run of the year.  You know a pitcher is struggling when an opposing pitcher gets a huge hit and a player with a career .367 slugging percentage goes yard.

-After the game, Charlie Manuel discussed Kendrick’s role on the team.  According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Manuel said he was unsure if Kendrick will remain in the rotation.  A discussion with pitching coach Rich Dubee will take place, determining Kendrick’s fate.  “We don’t have too many options,” Manuel said of the rotation.

OFFENSE RALLIES

-Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff home run, but the Phillies quickly fell to a 6-1 deficit.  Rollins would later double in the fifth inning to bring home a run, kicking off a rally for the Phils.

-The Phillies rallied in the fifth, scoring five runs to tie the game at six.  Domonic Brown doubled to drive in a run, but the big blast came off the bat of Ryan Howard, who smashed a game-tying three-run home run.

BULLPEN CAN’T HOLD IT DOWN

-Entering tonight’s game, the Phillies’ bullpen had a 1.45 ERA since July 20: the second best in the National League.   The bullpen couldn’t get the job done tonight.

-In the seventh inning, Antonio Bastardo got two quick outs.  Jason Heyward doubled, and that led to a lot of trouble.  Chipper Jones and Freddie Freeman walked before Bastardo was replaced by Josh Lindblom.  The bases were loaded for Dan Uggla, and Lindblom couldn’t escape the jam.  Uggla lined a shot down the left field line, clearing the bases.  The Braves went up 9-6, and didn’t look back.  The Braves ended up scoring four runs in the seventh, and two in the eighth.

GAME NOTES

-Former Phillie Chad Durbin, who pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning, was credited with the win.  Antonio Bastardo received the loss.