Game 15: Oswalt vs. Kendrick

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 6:30 PM EDT

Houston Astros at Philadelphia Phillies, Apr 16, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

For better and for worse, baseball seems less prone to one-game momentum swings and "turning points" than the other major sports. As the cliche goes, momentum is only as strong as the next game's starting pitcher, and if you lose in appalling fashion, most of the time there's no more than 24 hours before you get to seek a reversal of fortune.

So last night's shocking, thrilling 4-3 comeback win over the Astros might or might not signify much in the long term. Tonight's starting pitcher for the Phillies, Kyle Kendrick, hasn't looked right since spring training began, and his last start against the Mets--that 2.1-inning, six-walk, seven-run (albeit just one earned) mess last Wednesday--might have been his worst as a big-leaguer if not as a pro. Pitching coach Rich Dubee has pleaded with Kendrick to show the controlled aggression he used to such good effect as a rookie in 2007--but the numbers were always there to suggest Kendrick was very lucky as well as, or instead of, particularly good. With Adam Eaton turning in a third straight quality start (and earning a third straight no-decision) last night, the 23 year-old could find himself fighting for his job in the near future.

Houston's Wednesday starter isn't so much with the momentum himself: Astros ace Roy Oswalt is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA. But he's enjoyed a lot of success against the Phillies, with a 5-1 record and 3.02 ERA in eight career appearances, including six starts.

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lineups

CF Bourn
2B Loretta
1B Berkman
LF Lee
SS Tejada
3B Blum
RF Pence
C Ausmus
P Oswalt

CF Werth
3B Feliz
2B Utley
1B Howard
LF Burrell
RF Jenkins
C Ruiz
SS Bruntlett
P Kendrick

Yeah, Happy Pete’s hitting #2. Gotta problem wid dat?

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 6:40 PM EDT reply actions

FELIZ SECOND? ARE YOU FEAKIN KIDDING ME? Charlie doesn’t have a clue what to do. This is embarassing.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

I would have hit Jenkins #2, but I don’t see it as a big deal. Feliz has great career numbers, albeit in something like 25 AB, against Oswalt… which probably means we should bet the house on an 0-fer.

Meanwhile, check out the Astros site game thread: http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2008/4/16/411527/houston-astros-at-philadel

How do we get that fancy stuff?

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

2 reasons why I hate this.

First, if Feliz hits well, it will make Charlie put him there more often.

Second, it shows Charlies lack of understanding that he can move his other players up. Put Utley second and Burrell third.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Feliz is hitting 2nd because

he hits .480 with 2 home runs against Roy Oswalt in his career…

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Apr 16, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Small sample size. What is he hitting tonight off of him?

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

This is huge for Kendrick. Astros have a below average offsense, but a couple of big sticks in there.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Kendrick just cannot strike anyone out.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, a gift K to Berkman.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions

Lee double, Astros up 1-0.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions

Lets just say that the ump made up for the Berkman call with a few of those Lee calls.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 16, 2008 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

Kendrick showing me up with a second K. Stars always get the calls.

Werth singles and Feliz grounds out, not a DP!

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

Howard singles him in and now Pat singles in the hole to Tejada.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

KK

Looked good in the second. Real good—got ahead of everyone, 1-2-3, can o’ corn and two groundouts. I didn’t see the 1st.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

Bourn

I have serious doubts that he’s going to hit enough to justify an everyday job, but I really root for the guy. Sucks that, as Sarge just pointed out, he’s limping a little… hope he’s okay.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions

Well, he homered off Kendrick. So, screw him…

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

ugh

There’s the walk to Loretta, with Berkman/Lee/Tejada looming. Not smart. He might or might not have gotten jobbed on the 2-2 pitch.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

Utley with a 2 out double.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

Howard with a walk. Burrell up. 0-2.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions

Pat got nipped on the big curve.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

That was an evil pitch. Burrell was sort of laughing about it. I have trouble thinking “Oswalt’s got problems” when he’s snapping off stuff like that.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

2 quick outs for Kendrick. I dunno if it was bad luck before or good luck now, but I’ll take it.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions

Kendrick with a check swing K. That might be his first ever.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:07 PM EDT reply actions

I left the room for 10 seconds, did I miss Jenkin’s AB?

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

Ruiz showing why he batted second yesterday with a walk.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

I can hear Wheels thinking,” At least we turned the lineup over.”

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

Meanwhile, Tim Hudson showing that he really is human against the Marlins.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

Feliz with a decent grab.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

Kendrick with strikeout #5. Man, the Astros suhuck.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

I take that back, Bourn goes deep off of Kendrick.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

Kendrick going to make a call to Patrick Thoresen’s doctor.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

Werth almost beats out a grounder on a fairly animated AB against Oswalt.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions

Phillies production is stupid enough not to realize to not put graphics up during the first pitch of Feliz’s AB.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

1-2-3 in the bottom of the 5.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

Oswalt of course figures it out against the Phils… wonder if it’s us or if it’s him.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions

I think it’s just a good pitcher pitching good unlike last night when it was an average pitcher pitching good.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Who replaced our pitcher with a real staff?

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

Howard smacks one, but right at Pence and is still below the mendoza.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions

Burrell with his second hit off of Oswalt.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

Amaro makes a stupid comment, “It’s nice to see him (Burrell) swing aggressively and with confidence.”

Dumb ass, he has been doing that for the last 3 years!

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve got the volume down and the debate on in the other room. That’s painful-it’s now been 45 minutes without a single question on anything but campaign tactics and pseudo-scandals-but it still beats listening to Amoron.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think I have seen one Jenkin’s AB tonight.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

3 quick outs for Kendrick.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

Kendrick through 7. A lot of talk was made about moving Kendrick back a day and I am not sure if any of that means anything, but at least we know that those talking heads are full of it.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions

He’s looked fantastic. Deserves a win, as did Eaton last night.

There’s a laser shot just foul to lead off the 7th. I will say that it’s less painful to be throttled by Oswalt than it was Chacon, before the 9th.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

pitch counts

Kendrick (now done) threw 96 thru 7. Oswalt with 92.

I read on the Astros SBN site (www.crawfishboxes.com) that Valverde is out tonight, so we don’t have that going for us…

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

Romero gets 2. They keep on showing that blonde hottie behind the hitter. Wonder if they do that on purpose?

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions

huh

Oswalt’s out. Wesley Wright now in.

Houston starters through the first two games: 15 IP, 1 R. Not bad. It’s like their freakish rotation a few years ago when it seemed like we saw Clemens/Oswalt/Pettitte every series.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

This guy Wright is making me miss Oswalt…

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Not good ABs at all by Feliz or Utley.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Howard looking like he wanted to be heroish there.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

Howard Ks. That was a strike despite where the catcher set up.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

Can Pat do it again in the 9th?

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Brutal inning. I think it was more that the guy was electric than that our hitters stink… but they should feel free to start scoring runs any day now.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

It’s ok, we own the 9th.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

Hey, things are looking a lot better tonight at this point than last night.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

cmon, we gotta be able to score off of Brocail.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

Crap, Pat down on 3 pitches.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

Up to Rollins.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

0-2 to JRoll.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

Rollins with a single to center. Taguchi running for Rollins and Dobbs is up.

Swing for the fences.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

1-1 to Dobbs.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

Dobbs can’t hit a pitch over 88 mph.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

Struck Dobbs out, game over.

Anti-climatic.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 16, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

I really can’t stand Dobbs. Terrible approach up there.

by dajafi on Apr 16, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

Yimmy

Please, please put him on the DL now.

by WholeCamels on Apr 16, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

Hey, don't know the proper place to bring up this question......

so forgive me if I’ve broken some rules. There is a rumor in the St. Louis papers that the Phillies scouts have followed the Cardinals around to Houston, San Francisco, and St. Louis, scouting our own (liked by fans, not liked by our field management) Anthony Reyes. He’s put on quite a show for them-3 appearances, a 3 inning win, a 10th inning save, and a low stress inning at the end of 6-1 game. He’s been throwing gas-given up no walks, no runs in those games, and virtually unhittable.

I just wonder if you all have heard anything about it…....I’m a Cards fan and he’s a personal favorite-and I believe he’s on the verge of a breakout. You all will get a good pitcher if he ends up with you. I will be slightly devasted if they really trade him. ....... but you all will look out for him, won’t you?

Thanks.

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Apr 16, 2008 11:32 PM EDT reply actions