The veteran pitchers all took Labor Day off yesterday as the youth movement of Tyler Cloyd, Justin De Fratus, and Phillippe Aumont fought off the Reds in a 4-2 win. It was kind of nice seeing some of the hyped up pitchers getting thrown into the pool to sink or swim, especially Aumont who had to dial up a save in his fourth game in the bigs. Very clutch.
Tonight, Kyle Kendrick gets the call and hopes to continue a nice hot streak. He's won his last 5 and in convincing fashion. He's pitching better than ever lately and while I'm not convinced he sustains it for the rest of his career, he's really in a nice groove. He'll need his A game against Mat Latos who has pitched not quite as well as he did in pitcher friendly San Diego but has put up decent enough numbers this season to compliment staff ace, Johnny Cueto.
Nate Schierholtz gets his first start since coming off the DL in right field while Domonic Brown returns for his second straight start since battling some knee issues. Watch Jimmy Rollins tonight. He's seeking hit 2000.
Line Up: Rollins 6, Frandsen 5, Utley 4, Howard 3, Mayberry 8, Brown 7, Schierholtz 9, Kratz 2, Kendrick 1
Minor Notes: Darin Ruf took home the Eastern League MVP award and fell a few points short in his batting average of winning the triple crown. Reading clinched a playoff spot on Sunday and face the Trenton Thunder on Friday. Austin Hyatt has been named Game 1 starter.
