Phillies Rout Reds Behind Kendrick, Ruiz Steals Home
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Phillies rookie starter Kyle Kendrick won his 2nd game in 3 major league starts behind 3 Phillie homers, catcher Carlos Ruiz’s 4 RBIs and steal of home and 3 shut out innings by the bullpen as the Phillies blasted the Cincinnati Reds by an 11-4 score on Tuesday in their series opener.
In winning, the Phillies (40-36) have again reached four games above .500, a season-best. They also got back to within 2 1/2 games of the NL East-leading New York Mets who lost an extra-inning battle with the St. Louis Cardinals by a 5-3 score. They remain a game up on the Atlanta Braves who also won. The coming series with the Mets for the division lead looms larger by the day.
Cincinnati got on the board first against Kendrick in the top of the 1st inning as leftfielder Adam Dunn drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to rightfield. The Phillies opened their scoring in the bottom of the 1st inning as shortstop Jimmy Rollins led off with a single to right and scored on 1st baseman Ryan Howard’s 2 run rightfield homer.
The Phillies followed by scoring 4 runs in the 2nd. With none out, Ruiz singled in a run. Then, Kendrick was walked to load the bases. A run scored on Rollins’ doubleplay grounder second to shortstop to first with Ruiz advancing to 3rd base on the play. Leftfielder Michael Bourn was walked putting runners on 1st and 3rd. Ruiz then stole home as part of a double steal for the Phils’ 5th run.
AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi fills in the details for Yahoo sports;
Ruiz broke for home after Reds catcher David Ross threw to second base trying to get Michael Bourn. Ruiz, who is somewhat swift for a catcher, beat shortstop Alex Gonzalez’s wide throw for his second career steal to give the Phillies a 5-1 lead.
Manuel said third-base coach Steve Smith told Ruiz to make sure the throw went through before he ran.
“Smitty looked up and said, ‘No, no, no.’ But he made it,” Manuel said.
Bo Diaz was the last catcher to steal home for Philadelphia. He did it against Pittsburgh on June 18, 1982. Scott Rolen was the last Phillies player do it on June 5, 1997, against the Cubs.
“I was surprised,” Ruiz said. “I thought he would fake to second.”
2nd baseman Chase Utley completed the 2nd inning scoring with his single to rightfield scoring Bourn as the Phils led 6-1 after 2 innings with all runs being scored against losing Reds starter Homer Bailey who was pounded and lasted only 1 2/3 innings. Rightfielder Shane Victorino added a run for the Phils in the 3rd inning with a solo shot to left field, one of 4 runs scored off of Reds reliever Mike Gosling in his 2 innings of work.
Cincinnati scored 1 run in the 4th inning (centfielder Josh Hamilton’s solo shot) and two (rightfielder Ken Griffey Jr.’s sacrifice fly and Adam Dunn’s rightfield solo shot) in the fifth, with Ruiz’s 3 run double in the 4th for the Phillies sandwiched in between.
The Phillies capped their scoring in the 7th inning with a solo homer off of Reds reliever Victor Santos.
Kendrick threw 100 pitches in 6 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 3, striking out 3 and giving up the 2 Cincinnati homers. It was not a masterful performance, but with the Phils offense in high-gear, Kendrick kept the Phils ahead big and the bullpen did the rest over the final 3 innings.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on this and all of Tuesday’s games, click here.
On Wednesday, veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer, who seeks his 8th win, goes against Reds ace Aaron Harang who seeks his 9th victory. Moyer is one of 7 over 40 year old pitchers going on Wednesday. ESPN reports;
The previous record of six was set last Friday, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, when all but Clemens started.
On Thursday, Adam Eaton goes for his 8th win vs Matt Belisle for the Reds.
After the 3 game set with the Reds, the Phils entertain the New York Mets for a huge 4 game weekend series with the NL East lead on the line. The series includes a Friday doubleheader. In the opener, young lefthander Cole Hamels tries again for his 10th win against John Maine who seeks his 9th win. In the nightcap, J.D. Durbin, recently called-up to take the injured Jon Lieber’s spot in the rotation, goes against winless Mike Pelfrey for the Mets.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on this and all of Wednesday’s games, click here.
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