Photo: Philliedelphia/Andrew Gillen
To some, the unofficial first half of the 2014 season was a let down. Those who still believed the advanced age of the team would actually turn out to be advantageous have been severely disappointed, losing hope in a final playoff push. Meanwhile, the remainder of the fans who had come into the season projecting failure are now eagerly awaiting the trade deadline, hoping the organization begins to rebuild the damaged pieces.
But, for today, at least, forget the negativity. Despite their five-game winning streak being snapped in last night's ten inning contest, the Phillies still have an opportunity to win back-to-back series against two of the top teams in the National League. And as we head into the annual All-Star Break, Kyle Kendrick looks to stop the first inning bleeding he has suffered all year long. In the first inning of each game, Kendrick sports an ERA of over ten. Opposing teams are also getting on base 42% of the time in inning number one, severely hurting KK's numbers. In the following frames, however, his clip stands at an ERA of 3.34 and his on-base percentage resting at about 31%. Whatever the reason is, Kendrick consistently looks much better in any inning after the first.
Taking to the hill for Washington is new-to-the rotation Tanner "Don't Call Me Roark" Ro-ark. Roark made his first start for the Nationals last September, and has started seventeen contests for them in 2014. Statistically, the Phillies are catching Roark at a good time. In his first fifteen starts this season, the right-hander gave up four runs or more just twice. In his last two outings, both against the Cubs, Roark has given up four runs a piece, losing both matchups. Another blip of good fortune for the Phillies rests in their last game against Roark. Philadelphia was one of the two teams that had scored more than four runs against Tanner in his first fifteen starts, collecting seven runs in four innings back on Cinco de Mayo.
Game Notes
- Grady Sizemore is in the starting lineup for the third time this series, leading off once more. Since he came up on Saturday, Sizemore has two hits and a walk, and reached third base twice in yesterday's game. He also has a run scored.
- Catcher Cameron Rupp has a modest four-game hitting streak going. In that streak, Rupp is batting just under .400, with five hits in thirteen at bats. A run scored, two RBIs, and two doubles highlight his run.
- As was reported by 6ABC's Jeff Skyversky, the Phillies have just one weekend win in their last eight weekend sets of games. Since May 25th, they have lost 14 of those 15 games.
Phillies Lineup
- Grady Sizemore LF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Cody Asche 3B
- Cameron Rupp C
- Ben Revere CF
- Kyle Kendrick P
Nationals Lineup
- Denard Span CF
- Anthony Rendon 2B
- Jayson Werth RF
- Adam LaRoche 1B
- Ryan Zimmerman 3B
- Bryce Harper LF
- Ian Desmond SS
- Jose Lobaton C
- Tanner Roark P
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Game Time: 1:35 PM Eastern
Weather: 86°F – Partly Cloudy – 33% PoP
Andrew Gillen, Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com
