Larry Bowa, Ryne Sandberg, and Bob McClure share in the frustration
following Kyle Kendrick's bases loaded walk in the third inning
Normally, I like to warm readers up with a cute intro paragraph trying to stir the excitement for this game. While there often may be some filler, it's a nice way to interact. However, a rain delay extended this afternoon's game, and its inevitable ending, much too far. Instead of lulling you into anymore of a deep sleep, let's just jump right into the…eh…action…
The Game: Well, if for some reason you stopped watching today's contest after the first inning and a half, you may have thought the Phillies were cruising to a victory. Kyle Kendrick, seemingly channeling some source of wizardry and undisclosed magical power, managed to mow through the first inning witHOUT GIVING UP A RUN OH MY GI'm so sorry for yelling. After months, even years, of struggling to get through the first three outs, Kendrick set down all three batters he faced. Then, in some sort of bizarro world, John Mayberry Jr. leWITHOUT GIVING UP A RU…sorry. I meant to say John Mayberry Jr. led off the second inning with a solo home run, giving Philadelphia the early lead. For a few moments, everything was…calm.
Once the top half of that second inning came to a close, all bets were off, Kyle Kendrick began to lose his cool, the Phillies offense laid back, and the rains wanted to see this game go as long as possible. The scoring for Atlanta all began with a leadoff double by Justin Upton. Two batters later, Chris Johnson lifted a ball over the fence for his seventh home run of the season. While the scoring broke open with that hit, the Braves really started tacking it on the following frame.
Following a walk to B.J. Upton and a ground out by Andrelton Simmons, Kyle Kendrick managed to hit both Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton with pitches. Next up was Jason Heyward, and without scoring a single base knock, the Atlanta Braves scored their third run. Heyward's bases loaded walk advanced the score to 3-1. Chris Johnson lined out, doing nothing to help move any runners. However, second baseman Tommy La Stella picked him up, and then some, lacing a ball into the right field gap that cleared the bases. After just three innings of gameplay, Atlanta had stretched their lead to 6-1.
A rain delay of over 90 minutes in the sixth kicked both Alex Wood and Kyle Kendrick out of the game. It did not, however, help to solve any of the issues Phillies pitching was having. Mario Hollands joined the fray, and had little desire to toss pitches over the plate. He did come out firing, setting Tommy La Stella down on strikes. Next, though, Atlanta's four batters that stepped to the plate following La Stella all received free passes. It resulted in another run on the scoreboard, but did not signal the end of Hollands' day. A single from Freddie Freeman scored run number eight, and the game officially became out of hand.
As it has been for the last five-or-so seasons, the Braves bullpen came out dealing. After their single run in the second inning, the Phillies would go scoreless up until the ninth inning. Marlon Byrd collected a solo home run, his 19th of the year. Domonic Brown also doubled. However, the next three batters were set down in order, and the game was over. Atlanta took the rubber match with a commanding 8-2 victory over Kyle Kendrick and the Phillies.
Impact: At this point, it seems as though Grady Sizemore is the only Phillies player performing above expectations, aside from Ken Giles. He corralled his tenth hit in six games for Philadelphia. And, while he may not be peaking at the moment, Marlon Byrd strengthened his trade value by getting within one home run of twenty for 2014. Seven walks, eight hits, and two hit-by-pitches were the totals for Phillies pitching. Seventeen baserunners usually does not result in a positive outcome, and the same occurred today. July 31st looms closer and closer, folks.
Up Next: Smiles will reach the faces of the Phillies fans that still remain, at least for tomorrow, as Cliff Lee makes his long-awaited return with the team He will take on Hunter Pence, Ryan Vogelsong, and the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park in some 7:05 PM action. Keep an eye out for some roster moves to bring Lee back from the 60-Day disabled list.
Andrew Gillen, Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com
