Phillies Start Strong but Can't Finish in Loss to Cards
By: Mike Reisman
If I had dollar for every time Kyle Kendrick gave up 5 or more runs, i would have 7 dollars... Out of 18 possible dollars. That's a problem. Today the Phillies even gave Kyle four runs in the first four innings of the game. Unfortunately that was the last inning the Phillies scored in.
The game looked bright for the Phillies early, as Ryan Howard knocked in an RBI double in the first inning. Later that inning, Shane Victorino tacked on two more runs with a single to center. So the defense and pitching only needs to keep a three run lead. Easy right? Lucky for the Cardinals it seems nothing is easy for Kyle Kendrick. After two innings the Phillies lead was cut to only one.
After scoring one run in the fourth inning, the Phillies had a two run lead. That's when Kendrick lost all control.
The Cards started the fifth with a line out and a walk. Next came a John Jay double which drove in Felipe Lopez from first. The always powerful Albert Pujols was up next and took full advantage of a high and inside pitch by driving it out of the park. After getting Colby Rasmus to ground out, Allen Craig and Skip Schumaker went back to back with solo homers.
After the horrendous 5 run inning ended, Kendrick was pulled, but the damage had been done. The Phillies would not score another run and would lose by a score of 8-4. However, in my mind this was more than just a loss for the Phillies. This was a wake up call that eventually a pitchers ERA will catch up with him and he can not get lucky wins (as Kendrick has been doing) forever. If I were Ruben Amaro Jr. I would find a way to fix not only Kendrick, but also the Struggling Blanton. And I would do it fast.
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