Kendrick Shelled As Phillies Lose, 9-2, To Giants

PHILADELPHIA—Michael Young wore the widest of smiles at around 7:05 p.m.

The trade deadline had come and gone. He was back to fielding grounders before tonight’s first inning, sans distractions. His expression didn’t offer an opinion on the afternoon’s absence of trades. But it did show an appreciation for the game’s arrival.

Within 10 minutes, his Phillies trailed four runs, en route to a 9-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park tonight, in what’s starting to seem like the first of more than a few over the next two months – none the casualty of a youth movement.

GM Ruben Amaro said before the game the team would be active on waivers.

But until moves are made, and a commitment to the future can be made in earnest, the franchise seems stuck in this middling present.

The Phillies have now lost 9 of 10 games and four straight series in the second half. They slumped to seven games under .500 and 12.5 back of the Braves in the division.

Kyle Kendrick was particularly poor. He surrendered six earned runs yet lasted only two innings, far and away a season lowlight. (No, somehow, this is not a career worst. Or second worst.) The Phillies No. 3 starter was tagged for four runs in the first inning, three in the third. He didn’t record an out in the frame. Raul Valdez was summoned.

“He was having a tough time,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “Definitely wasn’t his night. Everything they hit fell. Hard hits fell. Soft hits fell. Just had one of those nights.”

“Command wasn’t very good, ball was up,” Kendrick said. “It was a frustrating night for me and the team, I’m sure.”

The 28-year-old had just cause for distractions, if he had any at all. His first son, Kyle Jr., was born at 4:28 p.m. yesterday. Suffice it to say a jubilant Kyle Sr. attended.

“It was nothing. I’m not going to make an excuse at all,” Kendrick said, now glowing thanks to the topic. “I would never change that for the world. It was awesome.”

Still, since a stellar April, Kendrick is 7-6 with a 4.90 ERA.

“I think the last four or five starts, I think I’ve maybe been a little up,” he said. “Kind of having one bad inning, not minimizing the damage.”

Chad Gaudin delivered seven innings of one run ball for San Francisco, in last place in the National League West. Six Giants recorded multiple hits.

A few bright spots glimmered.

Chase Utley, reportedly the soon-to-be recipient of a contract extension who was also reportedly unavailable during trade talks, had both RBI, one on a first inning solo homer.

“That was about it for our offense,” Manuel said.

Cody Asche flashed excellent range in the field in his first major league start at third base while Young manned first.

“He made one heck of a play,” said Manuel. “He’s going to get some hits. He didn’t hit the ball too hard tonight. But he will.”

Ache said behind a cool grin that he didn’t feel many pregame butterflies.

“Not as much as yesterday,” he said. “It was nice just ot get a good sweat in B.P., running around a bit. Helped me get all the jitters out.”

He said he felt a little misty upon seeing his parents cheering his full-extension grab.

“It was really special,” he said. “I had to hold back a little tears when I saw my mom tearing up and stuff. It’s heartwarming to know how happy they are for me and that they’re behind me 100 percent.”

Darin Ruf was good enough in left field and muscled out an infield single. The 27-year-old is hitting .305 with a .944 OPS in 31 games spanning back to his big league debut last September.

Valdes, Jake Diekman and Luis Garcia pitched five scoreless frames. J.C. Ramirez surrendered two on solo home runs by Brett Pill and Brandon Crawford in the seventh.

But the prevailing theme was the same old slog.

As should be expected until further notice.