Phillies Baseball

Kyle Kendrick has been struggling of late and the Phils need him to regain his early season form for the team to be successful down the stretch.

Kendrick, in his last six starts, has a 6.90 ERA.

Friday night was a different story for the second year pitcher.

After allowing a first inning homerun to Andre Ethier, his 16th of the season, Kendrick settled down and lasted 5.2 innings against the Dodgers at the Bank on Friday night.

The Phillies pulled away with an 8-1 win and remain 2.5 games out of first behind the Mets in the East.

Kendrick, when not pitching, can always be seen on camera sitting next to and chatting with veteran pitcher Jamie Moyer in the dugout.

Last weekend the Phillies were visiting the Padres when Kendrick decided to inquire about some pitching advice from one of baseball’s all-time leading winners.

Kendrick, after getting blown out by the Padres 8-3 on Saturday, he allowed 6 of those runs, decided to talk to Greg Maddux before Sunday’s game between the two teams.

Kendrick heeded Maddux’s advice, which was not entirely disclosed, and pitched well against him on Friday night. Maddux was traded to the Dodgers from San Diego on Tuesday.

If the Phillies wish to win their second straight division title in 2008 they will need a return to form from Kendrick. He has 21 career wins against 11 losses.

Seven of them have come this season. His ERA dropped to 4.87 after allowing only one earned run on Friday.

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