Kyle Kendrick turns in gem as Phils shutout Braves
Aug 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) pitches during the fourth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Following a no-hitter is never an easy task, but Kyle Kendrick put on quite a performance at Turner Field on Tuesday night as the Philadelphia Phillies shutout the Atlanta Braves 7-0.
In seven innings Kendrick gave up just three hits and two walks while striking out four. He also hit Justin Upton and Evan Gattis. The right-hander has at times been on the verge of losing his spot in the rotation, but he’s now won his third straight game. The Houston native also recorded his 600th career strikeout on Tuesday.
The Braves, who have no runs and just three hits to start the month of September, were also unable to generate offense against the Phillies bullpen. Ken Giles, one of the four pitchers used in Monday’s no-hitter, threw eight of 11 pitches for strikes while striking out two in his lone inning of work Tuesday. Antonio Bastardo struck out the side in the ninth inning.
Carlos Ruiz was touted on Monday for having caught his third career no-hitter, but Tuesday night he drew attention with his bat. The catcher broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning to put the Phillies up 1-0 with a solo home run. He later doubled in the eighth to drive in another run. Ruiz, hitting .264 this season, also walked.
Darin Ruf played left field and first base in the game while going 2-for-4 and driving in a run. The 28-year-old now has four multi-hit games in his last ten and has a .276 batting average on the season.
The highly-anticipated arrival of third baseman Maikel Franco was highlighted with a sacrifice flyout in the eighth that scored Ruf. Franco hit seventh in the lineup and went 0-for-3 in his first game as a major leaguer.
With a win on Wednesday the Phillies can not only sweep, but they can tie the season series against Atlanta at 8-8.