| KENDRICK'S HARD WORK PAYING OFF |
Kendrick Wins First Start With Phils In Over A Year
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| Kyle Kendrick was a twenty-one game winner over the past two seasons for the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies -- on Sunday, he looked as if nothing had ever changed. |
| Brought in to make a spot-start for injured Rookie of the Year candidate J.A. Happ, Kendrick showed his work with the IronPigs in 2009 was no waste of time. The 25-year-old tossed seven and 1/3 solid innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits leading the Phillies to a 5-4 win over the New York Mets in game one of a doubleheader on Sunday. The win for the Texas native, which was his first at the Major League level since Aug. 22, 2008, perhaps put to rest some of the struggles he had with the Phillies towards the end of last season, struggles which left him off the postseason roster and in the minors for most of 2009. |
| Those struggles for Kendick began last season when the righty had a rough second-half for the Phillies. After posting an 8-3 mark with a 4.47 ERA over ninteen starts in the first-half of the season, things went wrong for Kendrick after the All-Star break. |
| Beginning with his first start after the All-Star game in which the second-year starter allowed seven runs over just four and 1/3 innings in a 9-5 loss to the Marlins, Kendrick had troubles with his command, finishing the season allowing six or more runs in five of his final eleven starts. Because of those struggles, Kendrick was not on the Phillies' post-season roster and instead, he found himself somewhere far from post-season glory. |
| So where did Kendrick go while his team was on their way to their first World Series victory since 1980? The answer to that question was Clearwater, the place the Phillies wanted Kendrick to go to keep his arm fresh in case they needed an armin the playoffs -- they never did. |
| And where did Kendrick go as he team prepared to defend their title for the start of the 2009 season? The answer to that question is Lehigh Valley, where Kendrick worked hard to right the ship -- and in the process, posted a 9-7 mark with a 3.34 ERA in twenty-four starts. His 3.34 ERA was good for fifth in the International League and he posted a 3-1 mark with a 2.09 ERA over his final four starts. |
| Now, with a productive 2009 season in the books for the IronPigs where Kendrick worked on his change-up, the 25-year-old righty put his name back on the map in Philadelphia after his impressive start for the Phillies on Sunday. Kendrick pitched into the eighth inning in his first start at the Major League level since September 28, 2008 and left to a nice ovation from the fans -- the same ones who booed him a year earlier. Because of his hard-work and determination, Kendrick has at least made a case for another spot-start in the near future -- and took a huge step in the right direction. |
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