Kyle Kendrick Gets The Start As Phils Look For Series Win In Los Angeles

The Phillies lost last night after winning their last three games in a row. Despite the solid effort from Cole Hamels, who made his 2014 debut last night with a 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K line, the Phillies were unable to mount much offense against the arm of Zack Greinke (7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 11K). Hamels took the loss in his first start of the year making it the fourth straight season that he's lost his first start. Greinke went on to win his fourth as the Dodgers prevented the Phils from taking the series in game three. Tonight, the Dodgers will aim for a split as the Phillies look to take this series in the finale. Kyle Kendrick (0-2, 3.60 ERA) will take on Dan Haren (3-0, 2.16 ERA) in the finale this evening.

Kyle Kendrick has not recorded a win this season, but in his last start he pitched well enough to do so. On Saturday against the Rockies, Kendrick allowed three runs on six hits in seven innings with three strike outs. The Phils were unable to mount more than one run in the 3-1 loss. Kendrick is looking for some run support, something that he has not gotten a lot of so far this season, tonight at Dodger Stadium. In his career (50 IP) against Los Angeles, Kendrick is 5-6 with a 6.84 ERA.

Dan Haren has been everything the Dodgers need from a their No. 2 starter so far. In four starts in Dodger blue, Haren has a 2.16 ERA (6 ER in 25 IP) and has recorded 20 Ks as well as three wins. In his last time out, Haren went into the eight inning – allowing five runs (2 earned) on seven hits with five strike outs. Spending 2013 with the Nationals, Haren saw plenty of the Phillies, but that's not necessarily positive in his case. In 46 innings against the Phils, Haren is 1-4 with a 5.09 ERA.

Game Notes: 

• Ryan Howard is hitting .273 lifetime against Haren in 11 AB with 2 HR and 5 RBI.
• Yasiel Puig is batting .833 in 6 AB against Kendrick in his career.
• Cody Asche (.196 in 46 at-bats) is back in the lineup after taking off last night's game.

Tonight's Lineups:

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Carlos Ruiz C
8. Cody Asche 3B
9. Kyle Kendrick P.

Dodgers lineup:

1. Dee Gordon 2B
2. Carl Crawford LF
3. Hanley Ramirez SS
4. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
5. Yasiel Puig RF
6. Andre Ethier CF
7. Juan Uribe 3B
8. Tim Frederowicz C
9. Dan Haren P.

First Pitch: 10:10 PM ET
Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Weather: 75° – Sunny – 0% Precip
TV: CSN

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.