Kendrick, Howard Hooks Fish

Ryan Howard went 2 for 5 with a solo home run and Kyle Kendrick pitched 6 shutout innings as the Phillies beat the Marlins last night by a score of 5 - 0. The win put the Phils 2 1/2 games ahead of the 2nd place Marlins in NL East.

Kendrick, despite not giving up a run, really didn't have great control last night in uncharacteristically walking 5 batters. Usually when Kendrick gives up baserunners, it's on basehits, as Kendrick is a groundball pitcher who pitches to contact. Some might say he was "effectively wild" last night. Others might say he pulled this game directly from his ass, as he allowed baserunners in 5 of the 6 innings he pitched. He was also aided by fantastic plays in the field by Eric Bruntlett in the fifth inning (playing a pretty good third base in Pedro Feliz's absence) and Jimmy Rollins in the 4th.

The offense was fairly evenly distributed last night, which was a good sign. Ryan Howard's opposite field bomb game the Phils a 4-run lead in the third inning. Eric Bruntlett had 2 hits and his 9th stolen base, in addition to his fine glove work. In addition to Bruntlett and Howard, Utley, rookie Mike Cervenak, and pitcher Kyle Kendrick all knocked in runs.

The series concludes today at CBP in a Business Person's special with Cole Hamels facing Chris Volstad at 1:05pm. Today will mark the first game I will have attended all year.

Notes:

- 31 year old Mike Cervenak got his first major league basehit last night, in driving in Eric Bruntlett in the 6th inning.

- Chad Durbin got an AB last night and almost smoked a double down the right field line. Mike Jacobs had to make a great defensive play to keep the bullpen stalwart off of the basepaths.

Picture: (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)