Reds drub Kendrick and Utley may be injured
Ironman Utley leaves early as Phils fall – Todd Zolecki, MLB.com
Utley injures thumb in Phillies’ 7-3 loss to Reds – Jim Salisbury, CSNPhilly.com
Hands down, this one hurts as Phillies fall to Reds – Ryan Lawrence, Daily Times
Utley injured as Phillies lose to Reds – Matt Gelb, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rolen’s 300th HR leads Reds over Phillies 7-3 – Jo Kay, AP via Yahoo! Sports
Cueto, defense take flight out of Phils – John Fay, The Enquirer
Some nights are just meant to watch something other than a baseball game. Last night was just that.
Kendrick and Schneider try to regroup against the Reds. AP photo.
While losing to the NL Central leading Cincinnati Reds is nothing to be ashamed of, when the offense is not clicking and Kyle Kendrick is on the mound, you just know that there must be something better to be doing. Kendrick got off to a good start and Reds starter Johnny Cueto found some redemption against a team that has rocked him in the past as the Reds opened up the series with a 7-3 victory.
The worst news of the night though was not the loss but the possible damage done to Chase Utley. In an attempt to stretch a base hit in to a double the always hustling Utley went sliding in to second base and possibly injured his right thumb in the process. Utley was pinch hit for by Juan Castro in the ninth inning, which threw up the red flag immediately. Castro for Utley is not acceptable in any situation other than an injury.
“Right thumb,” assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said in Ryan Lawrence’s report. “We’ll have an MRI (today). He’ll get re-evaluated then.”
“Hopefully Chase isn’t seriously, seriously hurt. But for him to leave the game, that in itself says something,” Shane Victorino said. “That’s the last guy who is going to take himself out of the game. He’s obviously hurting.”
This has been a continuing story-line for this Phillies roster this season. Jimmy Rollins finally returned to the lineup recently and last night the Phillies played their second straight game without Placido Polanco at third base. Wilson Valdez took over at third base.
The world waits to see what Utley’s MRI has to say. In the meantime the focus falls back on Kendrick, who started off well but could not find his way out of trouble against the Reds. A two run home run off the bat of former Phillie Scott Rolen gave the Reds a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. It was Rolen’s 300th career home run. Kendrick was sent back out for the seventh inning after he had given up two more runs in the sixth inning. He ended the night having gone 6.1 innings pitched and charged with six runs (five earned) on eight hits.
The offense had a poor night overall as well. Rollins was 0-for-4 and Victorino had just one hit. the lack of production at the top of the lineup made a solid night by the middle of the order go to waste. Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez each recorded two hits, and Ibanez connected for a ninth inning two-run home run.
What’s Next?
The Phillies look to even up the series tonight with Joe Blanton (3-5, 6.53 ERA) on the mound. The reds will counter with rookie Mike Leake (5-1, 2.92 ERA). If Utley is unable to play tonight then expect the Phillies to use a lineup with Valdez and Castro on the left side of the infield, unless Polanco is ready to go.
Original Story:
http://machorow.us/2010/06/29/recap-p...
