After a three-game losing streak, the Phillies finally collected a win behind the arm of Cliff Lee last night. Clifton went seven shutout innings, allowing six hits, two walks while he struck out three to earn his fourth win of the year. The Phillies were able to mount three runs on the D-backs last night after scoring just six runs in their previous three. At 17-21, four games under .500, the Phillies are looking to end this road trip on a high note before headed home for a five-game homestand against Cleveland and Cincinnati. Kyle Kendrick (4-2, 2.45 ERA) and Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 6.75 ERA) will man the mound this afternoon.
Kyle Kendrick…there aren't enough words to describe how great he has been this year. Going at least seven innings in four of his seven starts, Kendrick has kept the Phillies afloat winning all three of his previous three outings. In his last start on Tuesday against the Giants, Kendrick pitched seven innings and allowed just two earned runs on six hits. Kendrick also struck out six to earn his fourth win of the season. In his last three, Kendrick has allowed just four earned runs over 22 innings of work. With six quality starts under his belt, Kendrick will look to continue against the Diamondbacks, a team he has historically not fared well with. In six career starts against Arizona, Kendrick is 0-2 with a 6.06 ERA (22 ER in 32 2/3 IP).
Brandon McCarthy has yet to win a ball game in a D-backs uniform. Having trouble with location is what seems to be McCarthy's problem as he has allowed 20 ER in his last five starts (30 1/3 IP). McCarthy pitched better his last time out, however. In 6 1/3 innings against the Dodgers on Saturday, McCarthy allowed three runs on eight hits. McCarthy is aiming for his first win as a D-back against the Phillies, a team he has never faced before.
Game Notes:
- Ben Revere .333 (3-for-9); Michael Young .263 (5-for-19) ; and Delmon Young .250 (3-for-12) are the only Phillies who have ever faced McCarthy.
- The roof at Chase Field will most likely be closed due to a 94° first pitch forecast.
- Miguel Montero is hitting .667 (6-for-9) with 1 HR and RBI against Kyle Kendrick.
Phillies lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Delmon Young RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Freddy Galvis 3B
- Erik Kratz C
- Kyle Kendrick P.
Diamondbacks lineup:
- Gerado Parra RF
- Didi Gregorius SS
- Martin Prado 2B
- Eric Chavez 3B
- Miguel Montero C
- A.J. Pollock CF
- Jason Kubel LF
- Eric Hinske 1B
- Brandon McCarthy P.
First Pitch Forecast: (Roof Closed) Sunny – 94° – 0% PoP.
TV: myPHL17
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Let's Go Phillies!
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.
