Well, not exactly, but it’s nice to take two games of three from the defending champs at their place. Kyle Kendrick scattered four hits over seven innings, striking out three and allowing only one run. Kendrick, Jose Contreras, and J.C. Romero combined to hold the Yankee top three of Jeter, Granderson, and Teixeira to a combined 0-for-11 with a walk on the night. That turned out to be enough, as Shane Victorino paced the offense to a 7-1 victory. Pineapple Express went 2-for-3, two walks, three runs scored and the eventual game-winning two-run homer in the fifth inning. Victorino’s home run, his 11th on the season, ties him for the team lead.
The win gives the Phillies the series victory, a well-deserved and much-needed pick-me up in what’s been a depressing month for the Phillies. Mired in a six-game interleague stretch against probably the second and third-best teams in the majors this year, the Phillies managed to start by stealing two of three against the Yankees, even after losing game one with Roy Halladay on the mound.
Not only did Kendrick pitch over his head, it’s encouraging that the Phillies didn’t let their foot off the gas late, dropping a four-spot in the top of the ninth inning to give the bullpen some breathing room. Is it too early to say that the worst might be behind us. Joe Mauer and the Minnesota Twins come to town tomorrow evening to start a three-game weekend set.
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