Kendrick out-dealt Zimmermann to lead the Phillies to a 3-1 game and series win. Photo: AP
Kendrick Bends, Doesn’t Break in Face of Errors by Utley
Chase Utley became the first Phillie since David Bell in 2005 to commit three errors in a game, but that did not phase Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick picked up his eighth win of the season, pitching seven innings, giving up only five hits and walking just one while striking out a pair. While Utley highlighted the worst of the Phillies defense tonight, Domonic Brown nailed Bryce Harper at the plate in the first and Darin Ruf helped start a “do-it-yourself” double play at first. Kendrick out-dueled Jordan Zimmermann, tonight’s hard luck loser, who gave up just two earned in six and a third, striking out six, giving up eight hits while walking none.
Don’t Look Now: Ruf Hits in Sixth Straight Game, Frandsen Gets Him Home in the Seventh
With the game knotted at 1-1, Darin Ruf stepped to the plate in the seventh and drilled a double off of Zimermann. Kevin Frandsen was magic once again in a pinch-hitting role and doubled home Ruf’s pinch runner John McDonald off reliever Ian Krol to put the Fightins ahead 2-1. That would be all they needed as Antonio Bastardo held the Nats scoreless in the eighth and Jonathan Papelbon earned his 20th save in 24 chances after an Utley insurance run scored in the eighth for a 3-1 victory.
Revere Gets Two More Singles, Extends Hit Streak to Nine
So much has been made about Ben Revere‘s recent tear and it has almost all been said. But just when you think there are no more ways to frame Revere’s recent success, his two singles tonight combined for his ninth multi-hit game in the last 14 games, raising his batting average 32 points in that span. In the 71 games since April 17, Revere has raised his average 110 points and has gotten on base at about a .370 clip since then. Compare Revere’s production to a very similar player, the Nationals Denard Span (.257, sub-.315 OBP) who got essentially a three-year, $20 million deal and this looks like one of Ruben Amaro‘s smartest acquisitions.
With the win, the Phillies have now won 7 out of their last 10, all against teams over .500. They will gain a game on either Atlanta or Cincinnati this evening as the two teams play each other in four straight starting tonight. The Phillies head into the All-Star break playing solid baseball and will play three against the 36-53 White Sox. They are once again just one game under .500.
Are you starting to believe the Phillies are playoff contenders?
Latest Comments