So the Phillies really lost 3 out of 4 to the Pirates….ouch. Honestly blame it on the bullpen because Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay ALL threw great games, but the bullpen either blew the lead or blew the game. Yesterday afternoon Cliff Lee tossed seven innings of three-run ball, but allowed a season-high 10 hits while taking the no-decision. The decision to keep Lee in the ballgame after reaching 100 pitches really bothers me. Charlie Manuel left Lee in too long and it went all downhill after Lee allowed the tying runs to score, but who's to say that the bullpen wouldn't have blown the lead either? Both Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 3.28 ERA) and Dillon Gee (1-3, 5.95 ERA) are looking to earn their second wins of the year as the Phillies visit Citi Field for the first time this season.
Kyle Kendrick was solid yet again in his last outing on Sunday against St. Louis. Throwing six innings, Kendrick allowed two earned on eight hits while striking out six. Kendrick has been great his past three starts, allowing four earned runs over 21 IP (1.98 ERA) in that stretch. Kendrick has been one of the Phillies' best pitchers so far and his numbers have been strong despite his W-L columns. Hopefully KK can get some run support tonight and go deep into the game against the Mets, a team he has a 6-7 career record and a 3.52 ERA against. On April 10, Kendrick tossed six innings against the Mets, allowing two earned on eight hits, resulting in his first and only win.
Dillon Gee is looking to build off of his last start, a scoreless bid through 5 2/3 IP against the Nationals. Gee yielded three hits and walked three as well as striking out six en route to his first win of the year. Gee is looking to redeem himself against the Phillies. In his last start against them, on April 9, Gee was tagged for seven earned on 10 hits over three innings. In his career against Philly, Gee is 2-2 with a 7.75 ERA.
Game Notes:
- Ben Revere is sitting out for the second-straight game.
- John Mayberry Jr. is playing CF tonight.
- Michael Young is hitting third while Chase Utley hits second.
Phillies lineup:
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Michael Young 3B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Dom Brown LF
- John Mayberry Jr. CF
- Laynce Nix RF
- Erik Kratz C
- Kyle Kendrick P.
Mets lineup:
- Mike Baxter RF
- Ruben Tejada SS
- Daniel Murphy 2B
- David Wright 3B
- Lucas Duda LF
- John Buck C
- Ike Davis 1B
- Jodany Valdespin CF
- Dillon Gee P.
First Pitch Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy – 60° – 0% PoP.
TV: myPHL17
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Go Fightins!
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.
