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Kendrick, red-hot Phillies face Marlins

Aug 31, 2007 - 2:48 PM Philadelphia (71-62) at Florida (58-76) 7:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) - After a shocking series sweep of the New York Mets, rookie Kyle Kendrick and the Philadelphia Phillies look to stay on a roll.

Kendrick and the Phillies aim for a season-high sixth straight victory when they open a three-game set with the struggling Florida Marlins on Friday.

Philadelphia rallied for an 11-10 win over National League East-leading New York on Thursday to cut its deficit in the division to two games. The Phillies, who trailed the Mets by six games on Monday morning, won all four games to get right back in the division race.

Philadelphia, which has won five consecutive games on three different occasions in 2007, hand the ball to Kendrick (7-3, 3.89 ERA).

The rookie righthander is looking for his third straight win after having been very effective in his last two starts, allowing five runs and 13 hits in 12 2/3 frames. Included in that is a 14-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday in which Kendrick yielded just a run and six hits in six innings.

The Marlins have lost 13 of their 15 games, including eight of nine at home. They will turn to Sergio Mitre (5-7, 4.30).

Mitre, who has lost two straight decisions, has surrendered 17 runs and 21 hits in his last three starts - all Florida losses. In his last start, the righthander was tagged for seven runs and 11 hits in six innings of an 11-7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

Mitre faced off vs. Kendrick on August 9, with neither hurler earning a decision in a 4-2 win by Florida.

The teams have split their 12 games this season, with the Marlins winning four of six at home.