The Philadelphia Phillies saw a four-run lead turn into a blowout on Friday afternoon, falling 13-4 to the Kansas City Royals in Philadelphia.
- The Phillies scored their first run off of three straight singles from Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard. Unfortunately, any chance that the team had to get more was wiped away by double-play groundout from Michael Young.
- Domonic Brown made it a 2-0 game by launching his first home run of the season in the second inning. Then Erik Kratz followed him with a solo shot of his own. Kyle Kendrick nearly hit one out himself, but the ball bounced off of the fence.
- Ben Revere grounded into double-play to end the second inning. On the bright side, Revere made a beautiful diving catch to get the second out of the third inning.
- Ryan Howard got off the snide with his strongest game of the season, driving in two runs.
- Kendrick began to put the team into some trouble in the fifth inning, loading the bases before giving up two runs. Kendrick then loaded the bases again in the sixth inning, before being lifted in favor of Jeremy Horst. Horst then gave up a three-run triple to Alex Gordon.
- An inning later, Chad Durbin would give up another bases-clearing triple to Chris Getz.
- Then Raul Valdes checked in for the final two innings, and gave up four more runs.
- Just an aside, is anyone else as surprised as I am to see former Phillie Bruce Chen still floating around in the major leagues?
- The Phillies offense shut down after scoring four runs early. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard were the only starters with multiple hits. Not one of the starters was able to draw a walk.
Final Thoughts
This was just a brutal, brutal loss.
The Phillies came out of the gates on fire. They jumped out to a four-run lead, and Kyle Kendrick was tearing through the Kansas City order with ease.
Then all of a sudden, the Kansas City lineup figured out Kyle Kendrick and began to make their push. The Phillies bullpen once again couldn’t stop the bleeding, and the offense had no counter punches to offer in return.
What’s most disturbing about this loss is how the bullpen continues to struggle. Jeremy Horst, Chad Durbin, and Raul Valdes all were terrible in relief of Kendrick.
Horst put up nice numbers last season, but the team rarely had him pitch in any big spots. They gave him that opportunity today, and he couldn’t get the job done.
Valdes may not be long for the big leagues unless he straightens himself out soon. The Phillies have guys they can turn to in the minor leagues like Mike Stutes, so another bad outing from Valdes could force the Phils to make a roster move sooner rather than later.
A loss like this shouldn’t happen. Not during the home opener. Not to a franchise like the Royals.
The Phillies were dealt a pretty devastating loss this afternoon, and they’ll try to bounce back behind John Lannan tomorrow.
Leave it to Kendrick to blow a good opening day, the middle relief is horrid, but damn Kendrick just sucks, below average pitcher who just keeps getting starts
Nothing to see here, move along! Nothing surprising, nor Earth shaking to me! Get used to it Boys, because if Roy don’t get his $#!t together, you can expect this slop, 3/5 of the games! Thank you, drive thru please!
it sounded like the Phils were getting booed in their home opener.
7,9,0,13
Did anyone else hear phillies gm ruben amaro this off season say that the phillies are loaded with young strong arms. Never before did they have so many. Why am I seeing Durbin, Valdes, Horst, where are these young great arms?
they got what they were suppose to get out of him 5 great inns blame the bullpen not their 4th starter he was the reason they were ready to get the win. you know what blame that asshole chuckles also throw bastardo in hes abetter lefty in that situation to get the out, dont forget they hadnt had a hit through 9 batters please watch the friggin game and call it the way it is strappers
Rollins throwing to 2nd base trying to get the lead runner in the 5th for a Tejada hit turned out to have devastating consequences. Young and Brown again struggled fielding.
Apparently, you are the friggin strapper, that didn’t watch the game! I was at the game. 5 GREAT INNINGS?!? REALLY?!? You’re blaming @$$#OLE Chuckles, as you say?!?
1st off genius, I wouldn’t call, him being pulled after 5.2, giving up 8 hits, 2 BB, 3 K’s, charged with 5 ER, “5 great innings”!
2nd- I don’t give a F^#@ if he’s the 20th man in the rotation, you’re supposed to get more than 5 $#!TTY, up & down innings, out of him!
3rd- Manual can only use, who Booben the dope gave him! I’m no Manual apologist, by no means, but his BP is supposed to stop the bleeding, not open up the wound, beyond repair! This team is hopeless, with roster of bubble gum, & match sticks, with an inept GM! So don’t get mad at the truth givers, get mad at the source, the overpaid, overrated, players, & the POS GM!
5 great innings? What ? Manuals fault? The BP is suppossed to be a strength…ugh
Durbin & Valdes, already cost us, 2 games. More to come? Both need to go! Durbin should have never been brought back! Get him & Lannan out of here, & bring up DeFratus, 2 starting prospects, & put KK back, as long reliever, where he’s slightly better. We ain’t going anywhere, & have nothing to lose!
5 great innings, really, blowing a 4-0 deficit?, maybe you strap on one for kendrick
jake, the stupidity, lack of knowledge, delusions & imbecilic thinking on here, is astounding, mind boggling, & beyond hilarious! I hope they don’t procreate, because we don’t need any more of them spawned! GEEEESH!!!!
Rumor mill,
Phils Trade Michael Young and Clyde Durbin to the Miami Narlins
For Placido Polanco…
When did we get Chad Durbin’s, Brother Clyde? XD