Early this morning, the Phillies (54-69) took game one over the Giants (64-58) in extra innings. Phillies sent Kyle Kendrick (5-11 4.90 ERA) to the hill looking to get back on track. Kendrick hasn’t won a game since July 25th. Tim Hudson (8-9 3.03 ERA) got the start for the Giants. Hudson is having a great year after going 8-7 with a 3.97 ERA.
The Game:
The Giants didn’t wait long to get on the board. With one out, Hunter Pence took Kendrick deep for the first run of the game. 1-0 Giants
In the third the Phillies’ offense finally got going. With one out, Jimmy Rollins worked a walk and Chase Utley followed with a single. Ryan Howard then singled to right to tie the game at one. Marlon Byrd then hit a sacrifice fly to take the lead. 2-1 Phillies
In the fifth, the Phillies looked to run away the lead. Ben Revere led off with a single and then stole second. Jimmy Rollins then worked his second walk of the night. Chase Utley then hit a double to left center to score Revere. Ryan Howard then hit a ground ball through the hole to plate two more runs. 5-1 Phillies
Just then it looked like the Phillies had the game in hand the Giants struck. Buster Posey hit a lead off single to center. Pablo Sandoval then reached on a throwing error by Chase Utley. Michael Morse followed with a double to plate Posey ending Kendrick’s night. Mario Hollands replaced Kendrick and walked the first batter he faced, Adam Duvall. Joe Panik then singled to score Sandoval. Justin De Fratus would then replace Hollands. Gregor Blanco then singled to cut the Phillies lead to one. With two outs, Angel Pagan hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at five. 5-5 TIE
In the eighth, the Giants got the best of Antonio Bastardo after Joe Panik hit a lead off triple. Jake Diekman would replace Bastardo and allow a single to Blanco with the Giants taking the lead. 6-5 Giants Final
Significant Offensive Stats:
Ben Revere: 4-5 2B R
Chase Utley: 2-5 2B 2R RBI
Ryan Howard: 3-5 2B 3RBI
Wil Nieves: 2-4
Impact: The pitching collapses again. Kyle Kendrick has been down right awful this season. With his impending free agency, I highly doubt the Phillies will resign the righty with better options available.
Up Next: Tomorrow evening the Phillies will look to take the series over the Giants. The Phillies will send David Buchanan (6-6 4.40 ERA) to hill. Buchanan has pitched very effectively his few starts, but took the loss in his last start versus the Mets. Buchanan will be opposed by former Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum (9-8 4.51 ERA). Lincecum has yet to recapture his former glory the last three seasons, but is still a formidable opponent.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on twitter @Ashipotofsky
