Phillies Won't Stop Hitting, Rout Marlins in Game One of Doubleheader
By: Mike Reisman
Think back all the way to the beginning of April at a time when the Phillies were consistently getting more than five runs per game. Remember how great that was, knowing that not only did the Phillies had the best rotation in the MLB, but also one of the great lineups? Well it seems as though that time has returned, and with today's game the Phillies have scored at least seven runs in four of their last five games. The best part about all of this is that the pitching has not suffered at all, holding opponents to three runs or less in four of their last five games as well. In fact, everyone has been pitching so well, that you almost wouldn't realize that Kyle Kendrick was pitching today, and not one of the aces.
Though Kyle Kendrick would have a rocky 1st inning, allowing a solo home run to Logan Morrison, he would get support from the Phillies lineup, and eventually settle down. The Phillies would start assisting Kendrick in their half of the 1st on a game-tying Ryan Howard double. They would take the lead in the next inning on a Jimmy Rollins RBI single, making the score 2-1.
However, the big runs would come in the 3rd inning, starting with a bases-loaded, bases-clearing triple from none other than Wilson Valdez, giving the Phillies a 5-1 lead. Later that inning, Jimmy Rollins would pour salt on the Marlins already large wound with a three run home run, giving the Phillies an 8-1 lead.
That would be the final run scored in the game, and the Phillies would get their fifth straight win. The win would also give Kyle Kendrick his 4th win of the year.
Kendrick pitched very well today, especially for somebody who has been a long reliever for the majority of the season. He managed to go seven innings, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out five. He allowed his only run in the 1st, so he probably just needed time to get adjusted. If Kendrick can keep up the good work there is a chance that he will be the undisputed 5th starter from here on out.
Besides Kendrick, the key to today's game was Jimmy Rollins' performance, which really helped to break this game wide open. Rollins went 2-5 with four RBIs, and he almost had six, as he barely missed a home run in the 5th. Rollins has really been heating up, and it looks as though he may be proving that he isn't too old to produce. If he can keep this up, the Phillies will have no choice but to give him a contract extension at the end of the year.
The Phillies play game two of the doubleheader tonight at 7:05, and send Roy Halladay to try to take the game from the Marlins.