Kyle Kendrick was named the fifth starter and tonight's starter after Joe Blanton's waivers were claimed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kendrick had not allowed an earned run since June 28th heading into tonight, and he was looking to keep his streak alive.
The first run of this ballgame would end Kendrick's scoreless innings pitched streak. Justin Upton sent a loooong home run deep to left field for a solo shot. It was his 100th career homer, and it put his team up 1-0. Down in Tampa Bay tonight, Justin's brother, B.J also hit his 100th career home run, maybe 45 minutes after Justin hit his.
Kendrick's fourth (and final) inning got a little messy. With two men on, Paul Goldschmidt hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Aaron Hill. Later, Chris Johnson singled to bring home Upton, making it a 3-0 game.
In the home half of the fourth, Chase Utley jacked a home run to Utley's corner in left field for a solo shot. 3-1 Diamondbacks.
After four innings, Kyle's night was done. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits, walking none and striking out two. Kyle tossed 63 pitches, 42 for strikes. Jeremy Horst pitched a scoreless fifth walking one and striking out one.
Nate Schierholtz popped up a sac fly in the fifth inning which brought home Kevin Frandsen, making it a 3-2 game.
In the bottom of the sixth, home plate umpire Jim Wolf completely blew a call at the plate. Kevin Frandsen singled to center to bring home John Mayberry who CLEARLY got his foot in before Jesus Montero tagged his leg. Mayberry was safe, but Wolf called him out. Game would have been tied at that point, but remained 3-2.
B.J. Rosenberg was called up this evening to replace Joe Blanton's roster spot. He pitched two perfect innings striking out three. Antonio Bastardo continued the great night from the bullpen with a perfect eighth, striking out Aaron Hill for the third out.
Josh Lindblom entered his 50th game of the season, first with the Phillies at his new home, in the ninth inning. It started with a solo home run given up to Jason Kubel. 4-2 D-Backs. He then retired the next three in a matter of about one minute.
In the bottom of the ninth, a 1-2-3 punch of Kevin Frandsen, Ty Wigginton, and Laynce Nix went down in order against J.J. Putz. Phillies drop game one, 4-2.
Another 7:05 start tomorrow night as Roy Halladay will square off against Joe Saunders.
