Same old Phillies in loss to Giants

Kyle Kendrick and the Phillies' bullpen struggled in the home opener. Credit: Getty Images Kyle Kendrick and the Phillies’ bullpen struggled in the home opener.
Credit: Getty Images

It could be worse for Ruben Amaro, who stood pat at the trade deadline with a team that seems light years behind the Atlanta Braves. It would be worse to be Riley Cooper, who hasn’t exactly endeared himself to his Eagles teammates.

The Phillies were drubbed 9-2 by the Giants Wednesday. Kyle Kendrick was rocked by the offensively-challenged Giants, who scored four runs on five hits in the first inning and the Phillies never recovered.

“My command wasn’t very good,” Kendrick said. “The ball was up. It’s just a little rut I’m in right now that I’ve got to turn around.”

Kendrick has given up five earned runs in three of his last five starts. There wasn’t much to cheer about. Chase Utley belted his 14th home run of the season and rookie Cody Asche, who made the first MLB start of his career, made a great play diving to his right to snag a bullet off the bat of Hunter Pence. Asche recieved an ovation after gunning down the former Phillie.

“It was awesome when the crowd gets behind you like that,” Asche said.

For much of the game the crowd was lulled to sleep by the punchless Phillies. The Giants’ pedestrian starter Chad Gaudin toyed with the Phillies for seven innings. The Phillies fell 12.5 games behind the first-place Braves. It’s not too early to think about 2014 and beyond, but Amaro was unable to deal a number of veterans — many of whom are slated to become free agents — for prospects.

Perhaps Kendrick was exhausted since his wife Stephanie had their second child, Kyle Jr, Tuesday afternoon at 4:28 p.m.

“I’m not going to use that as an excuse,” Kendrick said.

The offense might receive a much-needed jolt in a week or so since Domonic Brown passed his IMPACT test. If he passes one slated for Thursday, Brown will be sent out for a rehab assignment and could be back in a week, according to Amaro. The GM said that Cliff Lee has improved considerably and could make his next start.