You have all heard about “closer by committee.” You know, the thing where a different member of the bull pen will be thrust into the closer’s role depending on match-ups, rest days and other in-game factors.
But have you heard of “Shut out by committee?”
Well you have now. Kyle Kendrick, who has been pretty much converted to a reliever on a Phillies team loaded with aces this off season, making a start. Then the rest of his fellow pen-mates help shut out the Braves, resulting in a 3-0 win for the Phillies.
Kendrick, who has taken a lot of crap this season for absolutely no reason, did a good job to hopefully quiet the haters for a short period of time.
Even the Phillie Phanatic got into the act before the game. When Kendrick’s name was announced in the pregame line ups, he began to pray.
He was on a 65-75-pitch count, giving the Phillies five strong innings of ball. He allowed tw0 hits and a walk while striking out three while tossing 69 pitches.
J.C. Romero, Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo pitched the next three innings. They allowed a combined two hits and one walk. Ryan Madson gave up a hit in the 9th, closing out the Braves for his third save on the season.
It wasn’t just a bull pen night for the Phils. The Braves had a rookie making his debut on their side.
Julio Teheran was yanked by the Braves in the 5th after Shane Victorino’s RBI triple made it a 3-0 game. Teheren went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one. He allowed a solo home run to Ryan Howard in the 4th.
Teheran didn’t throw his first breaking ball until he face Howard the first time around. He fell behind in counts, which eventually hurt him.
But the story rests in Kendrick’s night, in which he continued his career dominance against the Braves. He is now 6-1 in 10 starts (12 games) with a 2.35 ERA in 65 career innings against the Braves.
This season, Kendrick is now 2-2 with a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings.
Howard’s home run in the 4th was his 260th in his career. He now stands alone for second all-time in Phillies history, breaking his tie with Del Ennis. He only has 288 to go before he reaches Mike Schmidt.
3B: Victorino (3). HR: Howard (7).
WP: Kendrick (2-2). LP: Teheran (0-1). S: Madson (3).
TTB 