Marlins Look To Even The Score With Phillies
MIAMI (AP) -- Lackluster run support has contributed to Kyle Kendrick's winless record this season, but he might not need too much help for this start.
The Philadelphia Phillies right-hander will seek to win his 11th consecutive decision over the Miami Marlins and end a string of nine consecutive losses that dates back to last season Wednesday night.
Kendrick (0-4, 3.96 ERA) has pitched respectably in most of his eight starts this season, allowing three runs or fewer in six of them. He's gotten a combined 16 runs of support, but only three combined in his last three outings.
Kendrick took the loss in a 3-0 defeat to Cincinnati on Friday, giving up three runs and four hits in seven innings, but hasn't suffered a loss to his next opponent since Sept. 9, 2008.
Kendrick's string of 10 straight wins is MLB's longest active streak against any opponent. He earned one of those victories in relief and is 9-0 with a 2.27 ERA in his last 12 starts against Miami.
Kendrick gave up three runs over six innings while striking out a season-high seven in his only matchups this season, a 4-3 victory April 13. He exited that game with the score tied.
"Main thing is I want to win," he said. "Just have to go out there, take care of my job and give my team a chance."
Given the way the Phillies have hit in the past three games, Kendrick might have a good chance at his first win since a 9-8 victory against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 6. He has made 15 starts since that game.
Philadelphia (20-22) has batted .294 and totaled 26 runs in a season high-tying three consecutive wins after hitting .178 and scoring seven times in a four-game skid, which also matched a season high.
Jimmy Rollins' two-run homer in fifth inning of Tuesday's series opener put the Phillies ahead for good in a 6-5 victory, their fourth in a row over Miami (23-23). Philadelphia has hit seven home runs during their win streak after previously ranking 28th in the majors in that category with 25.
As they try to avoid falling below .500 for the first time since April 30, the Marlins are hoping to get a better performance from Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 3.62).
The right-hander was tagged for a season-high six runs and nine hits in 4 1-3 innings Thursday in a 6-4 loss in San Francisco. Miami's starters have a 6.40 ERA during a 3-8 stretch.
Eovaldi did not get a decision in his only start against Philadelphia this season April 12, allowing four runs over 6 1-3 innings in a 5-4 road loss.
Eovaldi, 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA in five home starts this season, recorded a 4-0 win over Philadelphia in his most recent matchup in Miami on Sept. 23. He gave up three hits and two walks in 7 2-3 innings.
Rollins, 4 for 11 (.364) with two homers during the Phillies' win streak, is 6 for 17 (.353) with one home run lifetime versus Eovaldi. Carlos Ruiz is 5 for 14 (.357) with three doubles against the Marlins right-hander.
Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton is 3 for 21 (.143) with eight strikeouts in his career against Kendrick, his worst average against the 17 pitchers he's faced 17 or more times.
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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