After dropping the first two games to Milwaukee this weekend, the Phillies snapped out of a three-game losing streak yesterday in a 7-4 win over the Brewers. In 7 2/3 innings Cliff Lee was spectacular, striking out 11 batters. Lee wasn't the only star of the day as Domonic Brown went 3-for-4 and 4 RBIs. Brown hit his NL-leading 16th homer and missed hitting for the cycle by a double. Three games under .500, the Phillies will look to get a jump as the All-Star break gets closer and closer. Tonight they will open a three-game set with the Miami Marlins, who have just completed their first series sweep of the year. Kyle Kendrick (5-3, 3.27 ERA) will take on Tom Koehler (0-3, 3.22 ERA) in game one.
Kyle Kendrick earned his first win in his last four starts last time out. The righthander went six innings against the Red Sox, allowing two earned on four hits. Although still struggling with command and walking three, Kendrick was able to pull out the win. Kendrick had struggled his previous two outings, allowing a combined nine earned runs on sixteen hits while walking eight over 11 innings. Kendrick will look to continue his mastery against the Miami Marlins, a team that Kendrick knows well. In over 90 innings, K.K. has an 11-2 record and a 3.62 ERA against Miami.
In nearly 50 career innings pitched as a reliever and a newly-converted starter, Tom Koehler has yet to record a win. In his last outing, his fourth start of the year, Koehler allowed 3 runs in eight innings against Tampa Bay, but took the loss as the Marlins were unable to mount any offense. In his last three starts, Koehler has a 3.15 ERA (7 ER in 20 IP) and has pitched well enough to win all three of those starts. With the Marlins coming off of a sweep he will look for offensive support. Back on May 2 Koehler tossed two innings of relief against Philadelphia, allowing three earned runs. That is his only appearance against the Phils.
Game Notes:
- In his last 10 games, Dom Brown is hitting .432 (16-for-37) with 8 HR, 16 RBI and 10 runs scored.
- Michael Young has been reinstated after missing time on the bereavement list.
- Marlins' Chris Coghlan is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak. During that span he is hitting .447 (17-of-38), with 3 doubles, 1 HR, and 8 RBI.
Phillies lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Cesar Hernandez 2B
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Domonic Brown LF
- Delmon Young RF
- Erik Kratz C
- Freddy Galvis 2B
- Kyle Kendrick P.
Marlins lineup:
- Juan Pierre LF
- Placido Polanco 3B
- Derek Dietrich 2B
- Marcell Ozuna RF
- Chris Coghlan CF
- Casey Kotchman 1B
- Adeiny Hechavaria SS
- Rob Brantly C
- Tom Koehler P.
First Pitch Forecast: Mostly Cloudy – 73° – 35% PoP
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT.
Let's Go Phillies!
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
