Photo: Philliedelphia/Andrew Gillen
After two disappointing one-run losses in San Diego, the Phillies offense was finally able to string together enough runs in support of their starting pitcher. Of course, those runs happened to come behind the one guys that probably didn't need that many, Cole Hamels. Nevertheless, the team finally reached win number 70 on the season, though they were officially eliminated from playoff contention. Tonight, the final game of this four game series takes place, an hour earlier than the other three, with Kyle Kendrick hoping to send his squad on its way to Oakland on the right foot. He'll be opposed by Robbie Erlin, making his first start since May of this season.
In his last three outings, Kyle Kendrick has had two very impressive performances, though they are sandwiched around a rather unappealing one. That let down of a start still saw Kendrick go a full seven innings, but against the Pirates, the veteran could not walk away with the victory, instead giving up five earned runs on two walks and nine hits allowed. His other two starts, against both the Braves and Marlins, Kendrick threw a combined 13.1 innings and surrendered a total of one earned run on a solo home run. He's also collected fourteen strikeouts in his last two games, more than any other two consecutive games this season. The Phillies were victorious in Kendrick's earlier start against the Padres this year, a seven inning, two run performance.
Robbie Erlin has made just a single appearance since starting the game for the Padres on May 17th after missing some time with elbow soreness. In the small sample size of just a tick under 50 innings, Erlin's ERA is nearly 5.00, but his FIP rests at just 3.59. Erlin has been fairly inconsistent this season in his eight starts, allowing one or fewer runs in three outings, but three or more in the other five. On September 7th, Erlin pitched two innings of relief against the Colorado Rockies, giving up three earned runs on five hits. Erlin is making a spot start for Tyson Ross, who is experiencing some soreness of his own.
Phillies Lineup
- Ben Revere CF
- Freddy Galvis SS
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Darin Ruf 1B
- Maikel Franco 3B
- Domonic Brown LF
- Wil Nieves C
- Andres Blanco 2B
- Cole Hamels P
Padres Lineup
- Corey Spangenberg 3B
- Will Venable RF
- Jedd Gyorko 2B
- Yasmani Grandal C
- Seth Smith LF
- Tommy Medica 1B
- Alexi Amerista SS
- Cameron Maybin CF
- Robbie Erlin P
Andrew Gillen, Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com
