Picture Credit: Andrew Gillen
Heading into tonight's ball game against the Colorado Rockies, the Phillies had won three out of their last four contests, a staggering feat considering their recent trend. Couple that with an exciting walk off victory off the bat of veteran Michael Young in last night's game, and you have yourself some momentum. Tonight, Kyle Kendrick and his 10-10 record looked to play off last night's energy in an effort to take three of four from the Rockies. Standing in their way was starter Chad Bettis.
In the third inning, the Phillies were able to open up the scoring. Both Domonic Brown and Carlos Ruiz were able to begin the inning with singles. Following a Darin Ruf strikeout, Cody Asche sent a ball out to the left field line that sent him to second and brought Brown home to score. Roger Bernadina and Kendrick both struck out to finish the threat, but the Phillies grabbed an early 1-0 lead.
KK looked solid through the first four frames, a pleasing sight after the difficult stretch he's been on lately. He would, however, give up consecutive singles to start the fifth inning, one by Nolan Arenado and the other by D.J. LeMahieu. A sacrifice bunt successfully moved both runners forward, and allowed Dexter Fowler to record a sacrifice fly ball to left field. After five, the score stood at 1-1.
Kendrick would begin the sixth inning the same way he did the fifth. Twin singles by Troy Tulowitzki and Michael Cuddyer gave Wilin Rosario a chance to strike, and he did. The 1-1 pitch was crushed into the left field seats for a three-run jack, which gave Colorado a 4-1 advantage. A single to the next batter, Todd Helton, spelled the end of Kendrick's night. Zack Miner would come in to finish it off, but the damage was done.
Chase Utley worked a walk to start the home half of the eighth frame. After a Dom Brown ground out moved Utley to second, Carlos Ruiz was called out on a bad pitch. Darin Ruf, the next batter, made up for the blown call. A bomb out to left field, his ninth homerun of the season, brought the Phillies to within one run, a 4-3 game.
Much like last night's ball game, the Phillies went into the bottom of the ninth down only a run. Rafael Betancourt set the first two men down, but gave up a double down the right field line to Jimmy Rollins. Rollins would steal third two pitches later, meaning his chance of scoring jumped. It turned out to be quite important, as a Michael Young grounder to Arenado at third couldn't be picked up, scoring the tying run. Utley then walked to put two on with two away for Brown. A liner into right field brought home Young, and the Phillies had their second consecutive walk off win.
I will never stop watching this team. As angry as I get with them, wins like these the last two nights are what keep me coming back. As far as performance goes, hats have to go to the Phillies bullpen for their scoreless effort in tonight's game. After winning four of five, you have to believe the energy has been lifted on this squad. Perhaps that means a win tomorrow night, when Cole Hamels takes on Wade Miley and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 7:05 action.
