Game Recap:
Kyle Kendrick pitched eight strong innings, and Jimmy Rollins made his return to the lineup, going 2-4 with a double and an RBI as the Phillies pounded the Pirates last night.
What went right?
Shane Victorino went 2-4 and scored three times.
Placido Polanco was 1-4 and scored twice.
Jimmy Rollins came off the disabled list and went 2-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.
Ryan Howard went 3-5, scored two runs and had a grand slam in the eighth inning to put the game away. He finished with six RBI.
Jayson Werth was 2-5 with a home run and four RBI.
Carlos Ruiz came back as well and went 1-4 with a run scored.
Kyle Kendrick pitched eight innings, allowing just two runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked one.
What went wrong?
You can keep looking. Nothing to see here.
Game Analysis:
Welcome back, Jimmy Rollins. After missing much of the start of the season thanks to an injury he got warming up before the home opener, Rollins made his return to the Phils last night, and it didn't look like he missed a beat. He made a great defensive play in the first inning, then drove in a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout. He'd finish the game with two hits and two runs scored, and he was only part of the story on offense. Jayson Werth continued his hot streak with a four RBI game, and Ryan Howard finished things off in the eighth inning with a towering grand slam that put the game completely out of reach.
The best part about the offensive showing last night was that the Phillies did all of their work with Chase Utley missing the game with flu-like symptoms. Even without Chase in the lineup, the Phils pounded the Pirates, putting up 13 hits and 12 runs. Ever since May started, the Phillies have been one of, if not the, hottest team in baseball, and with Rollins back in the lineup every day, things are only going to get better for this team on offense.
Even Kyle Kendrick got in on the act last night, too. After giving up a leadoff home run, Kendrick settled down nicely, allowing only four more hits in his eight innings of work. This is the second time this year that Kendrick has pitched this well, and if he could keep up with these performances, he might be able to keep a spot in the rotation. However, he's never been able to pitch well for long stretches, and left handed batters still kill him, but for the night, he was great. I just hope that he can keep it up, because if he does, then the Phillies add another solid piece to their rotation.
Tonight, the Phils and Pirates wrap up their quick two game series. Roy Halladay (6-1, 1.59 ERA) goes against Zach Duke (2-4, 5.56 ERA).
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