Werth, Kendrick Star as Phillies Edge Braves
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Young Kyle Kendrick got off to a shaky start giving up 3 runs on 3 hits as Atlanta got out to a first inning lead and threatened in the second, loading the bases with 2 out. But Kendrick settled down giving up 3 hits over the next four innings and centerfielder Jayson Werth went 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs as the Phillies offense once again came back as they edged Atlanta by a 5-4 score.
With the win, they picked up 1 full game on Florida who lost and remained in 2nd place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets who also won.
Kendrick, who went six innings in winning his 3rd game vs 2 losses, opened in first inning trouble giving up a lead off single, suffering a past ball before issuing a walk before giving up an RBI single to center by 3rd baseman Chipper Jones. After getting the first 2 outs, rightfielder Jeff Francoeur laced a 2 run single to rightfield and the Braves were up 3-0. Kendrick retired the side on a liner to rightfield.
After the Phillies went down in the first leaving rightfielder Shane Victorino stranded on 3rd base after his one out double, Kendrick got into hot water again in the second. This time, with bases loaded and 2 out, he evaded further damage getting catcher Brian McCann to pop out to right centerfield.
The Phils began their comeback in the fourth inning against lefthander Jo-Jo Reyes as 2nd baseman Chase Utley led off with a single to rightfield and 1st baseman Ryan Howard, 2 for 4 for the game) followed with a long double to center. Leftfielder Pat Burrell (also 2 for 4 for the game) struck out looking, but Werth followed with a 2 run single to centerfield. 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz followed with a single through the middle — runners at 1st and 2nd. But catcher Carlos Ruiz grounded out and Kendrick went down swinging to retire the side — 3-2 Braves.
The Phillies duplicated in the fifth inning against Reyes as Victorino laced a 1 out single to leftfield and followed by stealing 2nd base. Utley grounded out to 2nd base moving Victorino to 3rd. Howard followed singling to rightfield scoring Victorino. Burrell singled putting Howard at 2nd base. Werth then singled to left scoring Howard. Feliz then fouled out to first to retire the side — 4-3 Phillies.
Meanwhile, Kendrick settled down and held the Braves scoreless through the sixth, after the second inning threat. Reyes came out for the seventh inning and gave up what looked like an insurance run, but the 5th Phillies run turned out to be the winner. Once again, it was Jayson Werth’s 3rd hit, a single to left that drove in pinch runner Eric Bruntlett who replaced Burrell who had doubled to rightfield with 2 out.
AP sports reporter Rob Maaddi noted Werth’s reaction to being the hitting star of the game for Yahoo sports;
“I haven’t been hitting well with guys on base,” Werth said. “I’m glad I got the guys in when it counted.”
Reyes, who gave up five runs on 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings and was charged with the loss, was pulled for relief as Feliz grounded into a fielder’s choice to retire the side.
Lefthanded reliever J.C. Romero replaced Kendrick in the seventh and quickly got the first 2 outs on grounders. Then Chipper Jones singled to left and Romero walked Brian McCann. But Romero got out of hot water registering a strikeout to end the inning.
Reliever Tom Gordon replaced Romero to open the eighth and got through without problem although the Braves managed a one ot single.
However, things got a bit dicey for closer Brad Lidge in the ninth inning on the way to his recording his 10th save in 10 attempts. With 2 out, and a runner on 2nd, McCann doubled, on a ball misplayed by Werth in center, to drive in the Braves’ 4th run. After walking the next hitter, Lidge got Francoeur to fly out to center to end the game.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Tuesday’s games, click here.
The Phils must maintain a hitterish offense in order to rebound from a 3 and 4 roadtrip so as not to fall into a prolonged losing funk. A sweep against Atlanta would sure help in the standings. After the Braves, the Toronto Blue Jays come to town for 3 games as interleague play begins.
On Wednesday Brett Myers hopes to return to form in opposing 42 year old lefthander Tom Glavine. In Thursday’s final, ace Cole Hamels faces Chuck James in a battle of young lefthanders.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on Wednesday’s games, click here.
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