Redding, Nationals’ Offense Streak Past the Phillies
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Starter Tim Redding held the Phillies hitless and scoreless through five innings, despite 2 walks and 2 hit batsmen, while the cellar-dwelling Nationals pounded Kyle Kendrick for 6 runs on 8 hits in four innings, including 3rd baseman Ryan Zimmerman’s 2 out 2 run homer, as the Nationals upended the Phillies by a 7-4 score on Monday increasing their winning streak to 7 games.
With the loss, the Phillies dropped to 2 games behind the NL East division leading Mets who rallied from a 2-0 deficit for 4 late inning runs to beat the Milwaukee Brewers. The Marlins remained 7 games back while beating 4th place Atlanta who dropped to 18 games behind.
The Nationals offense jumped on Kyle Kendrick quickly loading the bases in the first inning before centerfielder Lastings Milledge drove in 2 runs with a 1 out single to center. After Kendrick appeared to settle down in the second and third innings, the Nationals pounded him for 4 runs on 5 hits in the fourth as Redding helped his own cause with a base hit. Leftfielder Willie Harris drove in a run with a triple to rightfield, shortstop Cristian Guzman doubled in a run and Zimmerman’s 2 run homer capped the onslaught.
The AP report for Yahoo sports describes the game;
“We’re going through one of those good times now,” Zimmerman said. “We’ve got to keep doing that for the rest of the month and it’ll be a fun last three or four weeks.”
As the Nationals’ offense was clicking, Redding was struggling to control his fastball, although it was hard to tell from the scoreboard—Redding (10-8) did not allow a hit in the first five innings.
The only two hits given up by Redding came in the sixth, before he was lifted for a reliever. Redding allowed three runs in 5 2-3 innings, walking three and hitting two batters.
There were certainly some flaws in those no-hit frames. In the first inning, Redding put runners on with a walk and a hit batter, then threw the ball into center field on a pick-off attempt before striking out Ryan Howard and getting Jayson Werth to pop up and end the inning.
By the time Shane Victorino beat out the throw on a grounder deep in the hole for the Phillies’ first hit, Redding was already wearing down.
“I was beat after about the fourth inning,” Redding said.
Victorino’s single started a mini-meltdown for the Nationals.
With two out, Victorino stole second and advanced on an error by catcher Jesus Flores. Ryan Howard then doubled, sending Victorino home. Redding walked Jayson Werth and was relieved by Charlie Manning, after throwing 106 pitches.
He lacked command of his fastball early in the game, that’s why he ran his pitch count,” Acta said. “But still, he made pitches when he had to.”
Philadelphia didn’t need any more hits—Manning walked two to load the bases, and reliever Marco Estrada came on. Estrada didn’t do much better. He walked pinch-hitter Pat Burrell to drive in one run, then hit Chris Coste to send home another. Estrada finally got out of the inning, striking out pinch-hitter Carlos Ruiz.
The Nationals’ bullpen shut down Philadelphia the rest of the way, allowing just two more hits. One of those was a solo home run by Jimmy Rollins in the ninth inning, his 10th of the year.
Rightfielder Matt Stairs, newly acquired from Cleveland, got his first start as Charlie Manuel replaced Werth in leftfield for Burrell. Stairs got his 1st two NL at bats in five seasons greounding out shortstop and to the pitcher.
Redding, who gave up 3 runs on 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 2 in 5 2/3 innings, recorded his 10th win, tying his career high.
Newly called-up lefthander J.A. Happ came on for losing pitcher Kendrick in the fifth giving up a single and hitting the next hitter before recording 2 strikeouts and a groundout to escape unscathed. Kendrick threw 84 pitches through four innings in losing his 8th game, he has 11 wins.
Reliever Clay Condrey gave up the final Nationals’ run in the seventh while giving up 2 hits and striking out 2 in two innings. Rudy Seanez pitched the ninth inning giving up 1 hit.
Other September call-ups for the Phillies include veteran Adam Eaton, lefthanded reliever Les Walrond, catcher Lou Marson, infielders Mike Cervenak and Andy Tracy as well as centerfielder Greg Golson.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Monday’s games, click here.
On Tuesday, it’s a battle of lefties as Cole Hamels faces John Lannan. In Wednesday’s final, Joe Blanton is opposed by lefthander Odalis Perez.
The Phils have Thursday off before, the travelling to Shea stadium on Friday for their final 3 regular season games against the Mets.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Tuesday’s games, click here.
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