Kendrick, Papelbon Help Phillies Beat Marlins, 2-1
MIAMI (AP) — Kyle Kendrick pitched seven innings, had three hits and drove in a run, Jonathan Papelbon closed in his first appearance since being suspended and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 Wednesday night.
Papelbon, who completed a seven-game suspension Sunday, earned his 38th save in 42 chances with a scoreless ninth. Major League Baseball penalized Papelbon because he made a lewd gesture and then bumped an umpire after blowing a save against the Marlins on Sept. 14.
Kendrick (10-13) broke a scoreless tie with two outs in the seventh when he doubled home Darin Ruf. Kendrick also singled twice and hiked his average from .095 to .136.
The right-hander allowed only one run despite giving up five extra-base hits.
Papelbon pitched around a one-out double in the ninth, striking out Enrique Hernandez to end the game.
The Phillies won even though they stranded 10 runners and went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. In the first two games of the series they've been outscored 3-2, and they're 1 for 16 with runners in scoring position.
Philadelphia is assured of a winning record against the Marlins for a fifth consecutive season. The last-place Phillies are 10-8 against Miami this year with one game left.
On an 84-degree night, the retractable roof at Marlins Park was open for the first time since May 23. The sultry weather seemed to suit both starting pitchers.
Miami's Brad Hand allowed one run in seven innings. Marlon Byrd put the Phillies ahead to stay when he hit a one-out RBI single in the eighth off Chris Hatcher (0-3).
Since losing slugger NL home run leader Giancarlo Stanton to a season-ending facial injury, the Marlins have scored less than three runs in nine of 12 games. They have one home run in the past nine games.
The Marlins had four doubles and a triple against Kendrick but went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Their lone run came in the seventh on opposite-field doubles by Garrett Jones and Hernandez.
Kendrick, who can become a free agent after the season, finished with a disappointing 4.61 ERA but leads the Phillies in victories and had a career-high 199 innings. He improved to 14-3 in 25 games against the Marlins.
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