Game Recap:
Despite Kyle Kendrick's second poor outing of the season, the Phillies, led by Shane Victorino and Chase Utley, led the Phils to a two touchdown performance for their fifth straight win.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was leading off for the first time all season, and went 4-5 with three runs scored, a two run home run and five RBI.
Placido Polanco went 2-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Chase Utley went 2-4 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored.
Ryan Howard was 2-5 with a two run single in the first inning.
The bullpen was excellent, allowing just one Washington run in 7.1 innings of work. Nelson Figueroa did the most work, pitching 3.1 innings and striking out two, while also going 2-2 at the plate with a run scored and a double.
What went wrong?
Kyle Kendrick didn't make it out of the second inning, allowing six runs on six hits in 1.2 innings. He walked three and struck out just one. His ERA is now 17.47 for the season.
Game Analysis:
This game was really the tale of two sides. On one side, the Phillies were great again on offense, not missing a beat with Jimmy Rollins out of the lineup for the second straight game. Shane Victorino stepped up and busted out of his slump with a 4-5 night at the plate. Apparently, moving him to the top of the lineup was all that he needed, and I'll take it if he can keep this up. He had two big hits late in the game, too, with a two run home run that put the Phillies up for good, and a bases clearing triple in the seventh inning to put the game out of reach. Between Victorino and Chase Utley, the Phillies outscored Washington in the game. Utley's two home runs give him four already this season, and along with Ryan Howard and Placido Polanco, Utley has reached double digit RBI totals in eight games.
Of course, on the other side of the coin is the fact that Kyle Kendrick was horrible for the second straight start. He still seems unable to get out of any tough situations when they arise, and that was the case tonight. Take the first inning tonight. Kendrick hit the first batter of the game, but then got Willie Harris to ground into a double play. After that, he gave up an infield single, then walked Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham before getting Adam Kennedy down in a 1-2 count. Kendrick's next pitch was right down the middle of the plate, and Kennedy drove it into right field for a three run double. The next inning was even worse, with Kendrick allowing five of the seven batters he faced to reach base before he was taken out of the game.
So far this year, Kendrick has been nothing short of horrible. His ERA is higher than most shoe sizes, and with Joe Blanton still out of action, he is going to have to step it up, because the Phillies can't just keep scoring runs at will, because they won't be playing the Nationals each time he pitches. Something has to change, and quickly. I like Kyle Kendrick, I really do, but whenever he gets into trouble on the mound, he can't seem to get out of it. His pitches find the middle of the plate far too often, and he just can't get the job done. I think he's better suited for a middle relief position than a starting pitcher, just because he wouldn't always have to face difficult situations.
At the same time, I can't help but give the bullpen a lot of credit tonight. After Kendrick was lifted, the guys out of the bullpen managed to hold the Nationals to just four hits and a single run for the rest of the game. Nelson Figueroa, Chad Durbin, Antonio Bastardo and David Herndon did a great job keeping Washington off the scoreboard while the Phillies took back the lead and held onto it. That's the sign of a great team, with an offense overcoming bad pitching, and a bullpen that can keep the opposing team from scoring. I don't know how this season is going to end, but right now, there's a feeling that this year could be very, very good.
Tomorrow, the Phillies go for the sweep against the Nationals. J.A. Happ (1-0, 0.00 ERA) takes on Scott Olsen, who is making his season debut.
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