Team Effort

The Philadelphia Phillies took game two of the series against the Flordia Marlins. The Phillies shut out the Marlins 5-0.

Kyle Kendrick earned the win while pitching 6 shutout innings. Kendrick did give up 5 walks, but got out of jams without being touched up. He gave up just 4 hits, and struck out 4.

Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson finished off the game allowing just one hit, and no runs.

With Jeff Karstens flirting with a no hitter (well, perfect game) in Pittsburgh earlier today, the Phillies would have to face Anibal Sanchez, who threw a no hitter of his own two years ago. Sanchez' no hitter was against the Diamondbacks, and Karstens near pefect game was against the Diamondbacks. Chris Young broke it up with a double after 7.2 scoreless innings. Karstens was apart of the Xavier Nady trade which sent Nady to the Yankees.

But the Phillies offense started off quickly. No no-no tonight. Chase Utley quickly extended his hitting streak to 11 games as he doubled in the first inning to drive in Shane Victorino.

In the second inning, Eric Bruntlett would also hit an RBI double to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. The next batter would be pitcher Kyle Kendrick. Not only did he do in on the mound, but he did it at the plate. He also drove in a run on a fielders choice.

In the fourth, Ryan Howard would hit his 32nd homerun to left center field to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead. He is now tied for the major league lead in homeruns with the Cincinnati Reds' Adam Dunn. When Howard is going the other way, that's a great sign. That's when he is hitting his best.

Mike Cervenak also got into the action. He got his first major league hit and RBI in his 3rd major league at bat.

Not only did the Phillies hit and pitch, they also played great defense behind Kendrick. They made all the plays.

With the good news, there is always some bad news for Tom Gordon. In his rehab appearance in Single A Clearwater, he was removed from the game with right elbow discomfort.

The Phillies take a 2.5 game lead in the National League East. Cole Hamels will try to rebound tomorrow from a rough outing his last time out.