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Kendrick remains perfect as Phillies batter Cardinals

Jul 14, 2007 - 4:12 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Kyle Kendrick did a little bit of everything to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to an easy victory.

Kendrick allowed just one run in seven innings and Chase Utley had four hits, including a solo home run, and three RBI as the Phillies defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 13-3, on Friday before a sold-out crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

Kendrick (4-0), who five weeks ago was 4-7 at Class AA Reading, remained perfect in the major leagues after scattering six hits and striking out four. He has pitched at least six innings in all six of his starts, with the Phillies posting a 5-1 record in those games.

"I'm just trying to do my job and pitch deep into games to give my team a chance to win," Kendrick said. "I just trust my stuff, throw ground balls and try to stay away from the big inning."

"Things went our way offensively," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "Pitching-wise, the kid really did a heckuva a job. He's a lot better than I anticipated."

Jimmy Rollins homered as part of a three-hit, three-RBI performance that helped Philadelphia post a season high in hits (23) and tie a season high in runs (13).

All nine starters reached base safely for the Phillies and eight had at least one hit. Greg Dobbs tied a career high with four hits, while Ryan Howard and Aaron Rowand each had three.

"Guys had good at-bats and things went our way tonight," Howard said. "You want to come out and set the tone for the second half, and we did that tonight."

The first seven batters reached base safely in the opening frame as the Phillies jumped out to a 5-0 lead on six hits and an error. Even Kendrick got in on the action, driving a two-out single up the middle for his first major league RBI. He also lofted a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Kip Wells (3-12), who entered with a 5-0 lifetime record and 1.33 ERA against Philadelphia, was shelled in his first start since being demoted to the bullpen in late June.

The major league leader in losses, Wells had his shortest outing of the season, allowing six runs - four earned - in one-plus frame.

Albert Pujols homered in the eighth off reliever J.C. Romero to snap a career-high streak of 77 at-bats without a blast. Chris Duncan and Skip Schumaker each had two hits for St. Louis.

It was the Cardinals' second double-digit loss in the past month and sixth of the season.

With the win, the Phillies avoided being the first professional franchise in any sport to reach 10,000 losses. Philadelphia has now avoided the dubious number in back-to-back games after having beaten Colorado, 8-4, on July 8.