Yesterday, the Phillies beat the Mets in eleventh innings after Marlon Byrd hit a double down the right field line to score Chase Utley. Roberto Hernandez batted all night and yet only gave up one run in five innings. Tonight, the Phillies sent Kyle Kendrick (0-3 3.58) to the hill. Kendrick is still looking for his first win of the season. The Mets countered with Dillon Gee (3-1 2.51). Gee is pitching very well this year compared to last when he went 12-11 3.62 ERA.
The Game: The Phillies got on the board right away to start the game. Ben Revere singled then stole second. Jimmy Rollins then singled to set up Chase Utley who hit a sacrifice fly. Ryan Howard then double and Marlon Byrd was hit by pitch to load the bases. Domonic Brown then hit a single that went in and out of the glove of center fielder Juan Lagares. 2-0 Phillies
In the bottom of the first struck right back. Juan Lagares was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, but erased on fielder ‘s choice. David Wright then hit a two run shot to tie the game. 2-2 Tie
Jimmy Rollins would have none of that. With two outs, Rollins hit a solo shot for this four home run of the season. 3-2 Phillies
After having little problems going into sixth inning, Kendrick just fell apart. Juan Lagares lead off with a walk. Then Daniel Murphy hit a single and David Wright hit a double just out of reach of a diving Marlon Byrd to score one run tying the game. After striking out Curtis Granderson, he walked Chris Young. That would end Kendrick’s night. Jake Diekman came in Eric Campbell hit a sac fly to score another run but that would be it for the Mets. 4-3 Mets
Phillies got it right back in the seventh. With one out, Jimmy Rollins singled and then went to second on a wild pitch. Chase Utley then hit a double to deep center to tie the game. 4-4 Tie
After Mike Adams escaped a runners on first and second no outs in the bottom the eighth, with two outs in the ninth Rollins worked a walk. Then Chase Utley hit a single to move Rollins up to third. Ryan Howard then hit a single to give the Phillies the lead. 5-4 Phillies
Jonathan Papelbon came into close the game. He got Anthony Recker on the strikes, then got Juan Lagares to fly out. Daniel Murphy then worked a walk to bring David Wright to the plate. Murphy then stole second, but that wouldn’t matter because Papelbon then got Wright to pop out.
Noteable Offensive Stats:
Jimmy Rollins: 3-4, 4 R, RBI, BB
Chase Utley: 2-3, 2 RBI, HBP, SAC
Ryan Howard: 4-5, RBI
Impact: The bullpen has really battled the last two nights. Mike Adams was a little scary tonight, but he got out his jam. With the starters failling to go six innings the last two nights, the bullpen will be looking for a break tomorrow. Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins both continued to hit Dillon Gee. The Phillies move up to fourth place and one game under .500.
Up Next: Phillies will be going to for the sweep and .500 as they look to finish off the Mets. They will send Cole Hamels (0-2 7.02 ERA) to the rubber, who is still looking to find his groove since coming of the DL. The Mets will counter the Phillies ace with their own ace. Jon Niese (2-2 1.82) is pitching excellent this season after going 8-8 with 3.71 ERA last season.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him of Twitter @Ashipotofsky
