Game 25: Kendrick vs. Morris
by dajafi on Apr 26, 2008 6:45 PM EDT
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PrintPhiladelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates, Apr 26, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
The Phillies try to make it six wins in seven games at Pittsburgh's PNC Park tonight behind second-year starter Kyle Kendrick. Consistency has been elusive for the young pitcher in 2008: he's made it past five innings just once in four starts and has more walks (11) than strikeouts (8) thus far. Kendrick has won his only career decision against the Pirates, with a seven-inning, one-run effort last July.
Pittsburgh starter Matt Morris, meanwhile, has been consistent, but not in a way that's particularly helpful for his employers: the one-time 22 game winner is 0-3 with a 9.15 ERA this season, and has a 6.86 ERA in 15 starts since joining the Pirates midway through last season. It sounds like the stuff simply isn't there anymore for a right-hander who was once among the toughest draws in the game. Morris does have strong career numbers against the Phillies, though, with a 5-3 record and 3.57 ERA in 12 career appearances (11 starts).
It's likely but not certain that slumping first baseman Ryan Howard will return to the lineup tonight. The Phils' slugger is 0 for his last 11 with seven strikeouts in his last four games. In nine lifetime at-bats against Morris, Howard has two hits, including a homer.
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Phils in the 1st
Bad ABs from Werth (broken bat GO 6-3) and Dobbs (P5 on a 2-0 breaking pitch), single from Utley, Howard now at bat.
Yup, my bad for trying to flip between the Phils, the NFL draft and a couple other things. No RBI for Favre, then.
Morris nearing 40 pitches in the first.
4 run firsts are nice. But Kendrick is on the hill, after all. I expect a good amount of scoring on both sides in this game.
inning over
Werth makes two of the three outs; Morris gets the snark-cheer from Pirates fans (and TGP poster The Navigator).
Howard BB
After getting down 1-2. I really like this—he looks much, much more relaxed tonight. He got to two strikes in his first AB as well.
Jeez, I don’t have video for this game, so I’m radio-ing it. Just listening to Morris pitch is painful.
there's another
Sanchez RBI double, now 6-2.
We almost blew 6-0 last night; maybe they’re trying again.
update from The Navigator
Text message: “Pnc food, beer sux; views rule; Kendrick sux”
Sounds about right.
Bruntlett with the run-saving pick on a smash by Paulino; Nady stranded at second and the Phils lead 6-2 thru 4.
Remember that Flash, J.C. and Lidge have all gone the last two days. They’ve got the off-day Monday, but I’d still be very surprised if we see more than one of those three tonight. So they both need innings from Kendrick and, probably, more runs.
Here’s a substitution that does make sense: Happy Pete in for Dobbs in the 6th, with a five-run lead, facing the lefty Dumatrait.
I like Jenkins, and think he can play a really important super-sub role on this team replacing both Burrell and Jenkins against righties, but Werth needs to receive the large majority at bats in RF. I hope, and think, Charlie agrees.
That is my point, although I guess I didn’t verbalize it very well. Werth can easily slid into center for Victorino, thus allowing Jenkins to essentially backup all three outfield spots. Thus, STG is a pinch runner/”defensive” replacement for Pat.
Mets or Braves?
I can’t decide who I am more worried about. This division really is a toss up between all three teams. Although, I am greatly encouraged by some of the early season developments for the Phils.
eep
Kendrick almost gets Howard’s arm torn off. As it is, just a two-base error: 2nd and 3rd, one out in the 7th.
No complaints with how that played out: two more softly hit grounders, the Pirates score a run, and it’s 8-3 through 7 innings.
Kendrick has thrown 93 pitches. I’d take him out before the 8th, but who knows how Manuel will roll.
Eh. I think this is a take your pick type situation. Hard to argue with either leaving Kendrick in or taking him out.
Just got home, but really? With a 4 run lead he has to sit Burrell? It’s like he has a compulsion.
For Who? My teammates.
For What? To Win.
How Much? Where do I sign?
When would you do it?
In the 9th with a four-run lead strikes me as the perfect time to sit Burrell. In the 7th up by one is when it pisses me off.
Six wins in seven games.
Six of seven games won. Is the Big Man back on track. The ‘pen continues to look great!
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