It was a familiar situation with a strange twist on Friday when the Phillies began their series against the Washington Nationals in D.C. The Phillies had to wait over two hours on Thursday to finish their game with the Diamondbacks when it was interrupted by rain, and Friday was no different…. Sorta.
Why they even started this game, I don’t really know. With storms in the area it wouldn’t make much sense to start the game if they were only going to get the first three batters to the plate, but of course that’s exactly what happened. Whether it changed the outcome of the game, I really don’t know, but I really don’t like the situation it presented for our pitchers.
Roy Oswalt was scheduled to start this game, and technically he did. According to the books Oswalt will be listed as the starting pitcher of this game even though he never even walked out to the hill. After the rains had passed the Phillies sent Kyle Kendrick out to pitch even though Kendrick was scheduled to start on Saturday in place of Cole Hamels.
The Phillies decided to keep Oswalt out of the game and start him on Saturday, and given his injuries from this season, I think it makes perfect sense for them to treat him with a little extra care.
Now back to Kendrick. Kyle Kendrick’s versatility is really awesome. This kid has been flying under the radar as far as his importance to the team this season. Kyle pitched six innings and held the Nationals to just two runs. Whether it be as a spot starter, starter, relief pitcher, long man, or whatever need be that day, Kyle has really played a great role in the successes of the Phillies this season. At just over 97 innings on the season Kendrick’s ERA is just 3.24.
The Phillies held a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the ninth thanks to some offensive efforts from John Mayberry Jr, Ryan Howard, and Carlos Ruiz. Still it wasn’t enough for Ryan Madson who had an off night.
Madson surrendered six runs on five hits in the ninth inning. The nail in the coffin was the walk off grand slam hit by Ryan Zimmerman.
It’s hard to pin this loss on someone. Madson has been pretty busy out of the pen, pitching in the Phillies last three games. The bats fell silent after the third inning, but given that the Phillies lost by four runs it may not have mattered. Regardless of who’s fault it may be, it was a pretty tough loss, but today is a new day.
Side Notes -
Holds - Before Ryan Madson came in for the save Brad Lidge, and Antonio Bastardo each earned holds. Lidge needed just seven pitches to get through the 7th.
The 9th – Before this week the Phillies were 66-1 going into the 9th with a lead, but this week they are just 2-2.
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