Phillies bounce back with offensive explosion

Ryan Howard had three hits and five RBI in the Phillies win Monday night. Credit: Getty Images

Check out the Phillies accomplishments that led to a 9-0 whitewashing of the Colorado Rockies.

A day after the Phillies were on the wrong end of the first no-hitter thrown at Citizens Bank Park, the enigmatic squad’s oft anemic offense banged out a dozen hits.

Thanks to Ryan Howard’s first five RBI game since 2012 and overall solid play, Kyle Kendrick won his first game since August of 2013. Howard, who drilled a long homer to right center, his eighth of the season and first since May 8, Chase Utley and Ben Revere, each had three hits.

The maddeningly inconsistent Phillies, which has had so many issues at home, put it all together, which pleases manager Ryne Sandberg.

“It was a good bounce back game that we sorely needed,” Sandberg said. “It was a good game for Howie (Howard). It was good to see him connect and he had some good swings today.”

Kendrick amped it up when he was challenged by the best hitting team in baseball. With two men on in the sixth and two out, Kendrick hit 93 mph when he recorded a big strikeout to end the threat.

“Kendrick was solid going into the seventh inning,” Sandberg said. “He pitched very well.”

Kendrick snapped a personal 10-game losing streak, which goes back to August 6, 2013.

“You just have to go out there and keep games close,” Kendrick said. “You just go out and do the best that you can. Work deep is all you can do. Sometimes wins and losses are out of your control.”

It was up to the Phillies beleaguered bullpen to preserve the win when Kendrick couldn’t finish off the seventh.

With Troy Tulowitzki, who is the hottest hitter in baseball up in a game-tying situation, Mike Adams, who has been on the mark of late, came through by striking out the Rockies’ franchise player.

“Adams threw him a good slider in a big spot,” Sandberg said. “He has come along real well. He’s on a roll. He’s had command and movement on his fastball. He’s been huge for us. We really needed this one.”