Phils Power Kendrick to 7-3 Win After Smooth Six
Brown mashed a Hefner pitch into the second deck in the first. Photo: AP
Tonight’s game had all the makings of a disaster: Kyle Kendrick on the hill, up 5-1 in the second, with bases loaded immediately following a John Buck HR. It felt like what is now a too familiar story to the 2013 Phillies: a big early lead surrendered almost as quick. But then something remarkable happened – Kendrick gathered himself and struck out Jeremy Hefner and Jordany Valdespin to retire the Mets and end the threat.
Kendrick would pitch well, overcoming a 27-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fourth to pitch the tops of the fifth and sixth, ending with six Ks in six innings, giving up two earned via two solo home runs in what would be good enough for a 7-3 Phillies win.
POWER SURGE
Despite the wind and rain, balls were flying out of Citizens Bank Park tonight. Chase Utley got the party started early with a two-run line drive homer to center in the first inning. Not to be outdone, Domonic Brown took a Hefner pitch a few rows deep into the second deck that still looked like it was climbing as it made contact with the seats. Laynce Nix blasted a seventh inning, two-run, pinch-hit homer to right center in the sixth. Despite the loss, Lucas Duda of the Mets went deep twice in addition to Buck’s blast.
GET HOT, STAY HOT
Jimmy Rollins and Michael Young both had two hits tonight, having a single and a double each. Rollins raised his average to .316 and Young to .375. Both players continue to the find the gaps.
THE TWO LONGEST SINGLES I’VE EVER SEEN
Ryan Howard and Erik Kratz had two of the longest singles I have ever seen. Howard hit a hard liner that ended up against the wall in right and Kratz smashed one off the wall in right: both ended up being singles. Kratz’s ball took a fortunate hard bonce to the right fielder while Howard was noticeably limping while running to first. Keep an eye on this.
With the win, the Phillies have won back to back games for the first time in 2013 and head into their off day with a two game winning streak. It also marks their first series win of the young season. They begin a six game road trip starting in Miami on Monday with probable starter John Lannan squaring off against Ricky Nolasco.
