In what started out as a really warm night, became cool, then turned rainy, the Phillies bats remained hot as the Phillies took on Jeremy Hefner and the New York Mets. The Phillies continued a strong offensive output with three home runs amid 10 hits. Kyle Kendrick was effective, allowing just two runs over six innings.
Kyle Kendrick is often critized by fans. But for a fourth starter, Kendrick gave the Phillies everything one would hope for. Kendrick gave up eight hits and walked two, but was able to pitch out of trouble and kept all of those baserunners from scoring. The two runs Kendrick would allow would come on solo home runs by Lucas Duda and John Buck.
The Phillies offense had a continued offensive output from the hot Michael Young who is now hitting .375 on the season after going two for three with a walk. But the better news was signs of life from some players struggling in the early going. Ryan Howard had two hits in four at bats, Laynce Nix belted a pinch-hit home run, and Domonic Brown hit a mammoth home run to right field that landed in the second deck above the Budweiser sign. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins continued their steady play in the early-going; each has reached base in all nine games so far.
The Phillies bullpen did the trick as Antonio Bastardo, Mike Adams, and Jonathan Papelbon combined to finish out the game. The only run the bullpen allowed was a Lucas Duda home run in the 8th inning. In a non-save situation, Papelbon got the final three outs as the skies opened up to a torrential downpour.
The Phillies are off Thursday before they begin a three-game series against the Miami Marlins as they look to hit the .500 mark.
