Dodgers Bash Phils

The Dodgers used a 6-run 3rd inning off of starter Kyle Kendrick to propel them to an 8 - 6 victory over the Phils. The Phils lost no ground in NL East, however, as both the Mets and Marlins lost.

Kyle Kendrick got pounded in the 3rd inning of this game like the AV kid during study hall. When he wasn't walking people or hitting batters (like he did with Jeff Kent), he was giving up gappers to Manny Ramirez and long home runs to Casey Blake. Charlie Manual let Kendrick start the 4th, but Kendrick allowed 3 of the first 4 batters he faced to reach base, upon which time, Manual had no choice but to go get Kendrick. The bullpen, led by Les Walrond and Clay Condrey, did do a nice job of keeping the Dodgers in check the rest of the game.

The Phils did manage to make some noise offensively in the late innings. Jimmy Rollins (2 for 5) hit an RBI triple in the 7th inning and Chase Utley (3 for 5) hit a 2-run single in the 9th inning to close out the scoring for the Phils.

First baseman Ryan Howard reached the 100 RBI plateau on the strength of two groundout RBIs. It marked the 3rd consecutive season he eclipsed the 100 RBI plateau and he is now tied with Houston's Carlos Lee for the NL lead.

The Phils will try to bounce back tonite at 10:10pm with Cole Hamels facing Clayton Kershaw.

NOTES:

- Hey, what do you know? A "Manny being Manny" moment. When the Dodgers came out for the 9th inning, Manny Ramirez was not in his customary LF spot. Whether he was taking a dump or enjoying a post-game adult beverage is unknown, but apparently Manny thought that Dodger manager Joe Torre pulled Ramirez from the game after he ran the bases in the 8th inning. So, when the inning started, the Dodgers had only 8 guys on the field. Fortunately for the Dodgers, they found Ramirez (was that toilet paper on his spikes?) and he did eventually assume his position in the field, smiling sheepishly.

- I hate these West Coast games. Hate them.

(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)