Game Recap:
Kyle Kendrick looked very sharp, handling the Mets for 7.1 innings as the Phillies took the first game of a day-night doubleheader.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was 2-4 with a two run home run. He also scored a run.
Ryan Howard was 1-3 with an RBI double.
Ben Francisco went 2-4 with a solo home run.
Jimmy Rollins was 1-5 with a run scored.
Andy Tracy had a huge pinch hit RBI that proved to be the difference maker in the game.
Kyle Kendrick allowed two runs on seven hits in 7.1 innings. He walked one and struck out three.
What went wrong?
Paul Bako continued to exist and went 0-3.
Brad Lidge saved the game in the ninth, but allowed two runs on three hits to make it close. He didn't walk a batter and struck out one.
Game Analysis:
Who was that guy pitching today, and what did he do with the real Kyle Kendrick? I'm not going to complain, though, since Kendrick looked lights out in a very nice spot start for the Phillies this afternoon. Kendrick had the Mets guessing all day, and had a very nice sinker working for him. Any time a pitcher can record 15 groundball outs, his sinker is working, and Kendrick had his on the money today.
The offense also did just enough to get by today, but it was fine. Shane Victorino hit his tenth home run of the season, and Ryan Howard just keeps doing what he does this time of the year with an RBI double in the first inning that gave Kendrick the early lead. Ben Francisco added another homer as well, but the story today was how good Kyle Kendrick looked.
Of course, it almost all fell apart in the ninth inning when Brad Lidge came in to pitch, but fortunately he could hold a three run lead, and only allowed two runs to score. He didn't look that good, but Charlie Manuel didn't have any other options out there for this game. Lidge had to come in and pitch, that was all there was to it. Luckily, he did just enough to save the game, despite a few nerve racking moments. I'm not happy with Lidge in the closer role right now, but he did his job today, and that's what matters. The good news is, if the Washington/Florida game stays the same, the Phillies will have their six game lead back with another game to play tonight. I'd love to see the Phils up 6.5 games with Washington coming to town for three more games this week.
Tonight, Pedro Martinez (4-0, 3.64 ERA) looks to close out the doubleheader with a win. Tim Redding (2-5, 5.78 ERA) will go for the Mets.
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