Kyle Kendrick Takes The Mound In Series Finale As Phils Look For Split

Compared to Friday's game, last night's game was just absolutley pitiful. The Phillies managed just three hits, their first coming in the bottom of the fifth. Lance Lynn held the Phillies in check, yielding just one hit through seven innings. Cliff Lee was held accountable for last night's game as he allowed five earned runs on seven hits through five innings. Lee took his first loss of the year and the Phillies took their 11th of the season. Tonight the Phillies are looking to split this four-game set with the Cardinals as Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 3.88 ERA) and Jake Westbrook (1-1, 0.00 ERA) take the ball in the series finale.

Kyle Kendrick is coming off his best start of the season. The right-hander dominated the Reds on Tuesdays, holding them to just two hits through seven innings. Despite earning a quality start, Kendrick took the no-decision as the Reds would go on to win the game, which was postponed that night, the next day. Kendrick is looking for better run support from his team, who have not had a great week of offense (except Friday). Kendrick has received 11 runs in support from his team, seven of which came against the Mets. In Kendrick's career against St. Louis, he holds a 5-1 record and a 2.68 ERA (14 ER in 47 IP). 

Jake Westbrook has yet to allow an earned run so far this season, despite allowing four runs to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. So why is the right-hander credited with just two starts and 0 ER? Well Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh was rained out before the fifth inning, so the game was never registered as an official game. Westbrook is looking to have better luck on the mound as he takes on a Phillies lineup that has not been hitting the ball well as of late. In his career against Philadelphia, Westbrook has a 2-1 record with a 4.39 ERA (13 ER in 26 2/3 IP).

Game Notes:

• Kyle Kendrick has a good track record against St. Louis in his career.
• Hey, Phillies. WAKE UP YOUR BATS!!!
• Ryan Howard returns to the lineup after missing two games with a sore groin.
• John Mayberry will bat second tonight.
• After today's game, the Phillies will have seven games left to play before they get an off-day. 

Phillies lineup:

1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. John Maybery RF
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Michael Young 3B
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Ben Revere CF
8. Erik Kratz C
9. Kyle Kendrick P

Cardinals lineup:

1. Jon Jay CF
2. Matt Carpenter 2B
3. Carlos Beltran RF
4. Allen Craig LF
5. Yadier Molina C
6. Matt Adams 1B
7. David Freese 3B
8. Pete Kozma SS
9. Jake Westbrook P

First Pitch Weather Forecast: Clear – 50° – 0% PoP

TV: ESPN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Let's Go Phillies!

Erik Seybold is an O.G. Journalist for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.