Kyle Kendrick looks to follow up Phils no-no

Jul 20, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) reacts after walking Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward (not pictured) with the bases loaded scoring Braves center fielder B.J. Upton (not pictured) in the third inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

A day after the Philadelphia Phillies used four pitchers in the team’s first ever combined no-hitter, Kyle Kendrick will try to follow with a strong outing of his own.

The Atlanta Braves, currently in second place in the National League East, rank 29th in the majors in runs scored.  They sure had trouble on Monday generating offense as none of their base runners reached with hits.  Known for their free-swinging tendencies, the Braves as a team average nine home runs per 41 at bats.  They’re also closing in on 1200 strikeouts as a club in 2014.

Kyle Kendrick, owner of a 4.97 ERA, is averaging 5.35 strikeouts per nine innings this season.  In three starts against Atlanta in 2o14 Kendrick has a 1-2 record.  Two of those starts came at Turner Field.  He’s given up eight earned runs in 12 innings there this year.

Justin Upton is the only player on the Braves roster to have more than one home run off Kendrick.  In the month of August Upton went yard seven times and hit .291 with a .946 OPS, inching his way into the MVP conversation.

On the mound for the Braves, Mike Minor will try to win his seventh game of the season.  He’s pitched rather poorly at home this season, going 3-6 with a 5.00 ERA.  The Vanderbilt product has not faced Philadelphia yet this season, but has faced several Phillies a number of times in the past.  Most notable of these is Ryan Howard who is 6-for-15 lifetime against Minor with three homers and eight RBIs.

Maikel Franco will bat seventh for the Phillies and get his first big league start at third base.

Phillies lineup:

Revere CF

Rollins SS

Byrd RF

Howard 1B

Ruf LF

Ruiz C

Franco 3B

Galvis 2B

Kendrick P

Braves lineup:

Heyward RF

Simmons SS

Freeman 1B

J. Upton LF

Gattis C

Johnson 3B

La Stella 2B

B.J. Upton CF

Minor P