Phillies offense backs Kendrick in win

Jul 25, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Domonic Brown (9) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring in the third inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Kendrick hasn’t lasted longer than 5.2 innings in his past four starts, but the Philadelphia Phillies offense was strong from the start in a 9-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday night.

The Phillies rank near the bottom of the league in many offensive categories, but Friday night they had a rare seven extra base hits and were 6-15 with runners in scoring position.  Domonic Brown had the best offensive showing with a double and a home run to give him three runs batted in.

While Kendrick didn’t steal the show, he was solid enough in his outing to improve to 5-10.  He was charged with three runs on six hits while striking out five.

Wade Miley has been the D-backs most reliable starter in recent days, but Friday he was creating problems for himself.  He walked in the first run of the game when facing Carlos Ruiz in the first inning.  He also later hit Ruiz who was one of two Phillies position players without hits.  Miley stayed in the game for five innings and allowed six runs, five of them earned.

Grady Sizemore went 3-for-5 with an RBI to continue a solid start to his Phillies career.  He also recorded his 1000th career hit.

Arizona made a bid to get back in the game when down 6-0 in the sixth when Alfredo Marte hit a grand slam off Antonio Bastardo for his first career home run.  He’s only played in 36 big league games.

For the third straight game Ryan Howard was kept out of the lineup and Darin Ruf got the start at first base.  Ruf was 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.  Phillies skipper Ryne Sanderberg did say Howard would be playing on Saturday for the second game of the series.  Ruf might also see time in the outfield when not at first.

The Phillies have now won back-to-back games at Citizen’s Bank Park for the first time in six weeks.