Phillies' hit parade puts infamous milestone on hold

By: Associated Press | Friday, July 13, 2007 11:40 PM PDT ∞

Kyle Kendrick had another effective outing and drove in two runs, and the Philadelphia Phillies stayed on 9,999 losses with a 13-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

Chase Utley had a homer, four hits and three RBIs, and Greg Dobbs also had four hits for the Phillies, who had a season-high 23, four shy of the team record.

Albert Pujols of the Cardinals hit his 17th homer, his first since June 14.

Kendrick (4-0) has been a pleasant surprise since he was called up from Double-A Reading in June to take the injured Freddy Garcia's spot in the rotation. Kendrick has pitched at least six innings in all six of his starts, hasn't allowed more than four earned runs and provided a needed lift to a staff that has been decimated by injuries.

The Phillies have long tired of questions about becoming the first professional sports team to reach an unwanted record: 10,000 losses. Philadelphia rocked starter Kip Wells (3-12) for five runs in the first inning and scored nine runs by the fifth, leaving the ignominious mark for another game.

"It's going to happen. It's inevitable," Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said before the game. "We could be perfect, but I doubt it."

Fans draped a banner over the second deck that read "7 Stadiums, 52 managers, 2150 players, 10,000 loses."

Yes, "loses." Maybe the fans can't spell, but the Phillies at least gave them another shot at getting it right this weekend.

Still, 125 years with one World Series title (1980) to show for all those losses doesn't keep the fans from filling Citizens Bank Park. The crowd of 43,838 was the 13th sellout of the season. Saturday's game is sold out and less than 5,000 tickets remain for Sunday.

Rollins (0-for-15), Utley (2-for-12) and Ryan Howard (1-for-9) all had horrible career numbers against Wells, thought none of it mattered in the first. Rollins hit a leadoff double, Utley had an RBI single and Howard doubled as part of a seven-hit, five-run inning. Kendrick singled up the middle for his first career RBI.

Cubs 6, Astros 0

At Chicago: Carlos Zambrano allowed three hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings and chipped in two singles, an RBI and a run scored as the Cubs blanked Houston for their 13th win in 17 games.

Braves 9, Pirates 1

At Atlanta: Andruw Jones and Brian McCann hit back-to-back homers to start a six-run sixth inning, and Atlanta beat Pittsburgh.

Rockies 10, Brewers 6

At Milwaukee: Troy Tulowitzki and Yorvit Torrealba hit two-run homers in a decisive fifth inning for Colorado, which won for the sixth time in seven games.

Reds 8, Mets 4

At New York: Brandon Phillips hit a first-inning grand slam and drove in six runs, leading Aaron Harang and Cincinnati to a victory over New York.

Nationals 14, Marlins 10

At Miami: Dmitri Young hit a three-run double to cap Washington's six-run fourth inning as the Nationals set a season-high for runs and chased Florida starter Dontrelle Willis after 3 2/3 innings.

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