The Phillies were pummeled again last night, this time by the Cardinals. The NL Central is exacting revenge big time. It used to be that the Phillies could not win in Pittsburgh. They now no longer win in Cincinnati, Chicago, or St. Louis. Last night was only the first game of a four-game set but am I jumping to conclusions? Probably not. The Phils took a three-run lead in the first last night, but starter Kyle Kendrick was like a dripping faucet, letting the Cards creep back at first, then gushing, to the tune of three homers and five runs, in the fifth. Yes, it was the Cardinals who made the plays, gave it their all, and showed a gritty comeback ability. The Phillies had plenty of hits in the game but the first was the only inning where they were able to string anything together. Final score: 8-4, Cards.
Kyle Kendrick had for me a defining game. He was a tentative fifth starter on one of his bad days. Enough. He should have been yanked after giving up the first home run but going to the bullpen that early is iffy at best.
I get it: This year everyone else plays like the Phillies, while the Phillies play like the Mets. Who'd a thought that would ever happen?
