Phillies shut out Miami Marlins again, 1-0

MIAMI - Kyle Kendrick's last outing was so painful, it defied every fiber of Charlie Manuel's baseball existence. The Phillies manager privately stewed in the moments following defeat against Atlanta last week. He had watched Kendrick, terrified to throw the ball at times, toil through a 23-minute, 50-pitch second inning.

But Manuel, above all, is loyal to a fault. Talk of Kendrick's demotion to the bullpen was so fierce, Manuel felt it necessary to meet with his pitcher in the days leading up to Tuesday's 1-0 victory over the Marlins. The fifth spot in the rotation was Kendrick's, Manuel said, no matter what was speculated.

In return, Manuel made a simple plea for more consistency.

It arrived in earnest with seven shutout innings from Kendrick, which secured Manuel's 700th win as Phillies manager. The Phillies are eight games under .500, which represents their best record since June 30.

"Kendrick was good, wasn't he?" Manuel said. He did not wait for anyone to answer his question. "Yeah, he was. He picked up his rhythm. He had good tempo."

Kendrick delivered victory by striking out six, walking none, and allowing five singles. He worked with purpose and showed why he could be the team's fifth starter in 2013.

The audition could continue for another 10 or so starts - not that the Phillies are uniformed when it comes to Kendrick. He has made 114 career starts for them, with varying degrees of success.

More than anything, the Phillies must have clarity on Kendrick's role for 2013. They will pay him $4.5 million next season, not exactly money for a sixth starter. If the Phillies do not have faith he can be a rotation fixture, they could look to trade his salary.

The signs, so negative six days earlier, were just as encouraging Tuesday. He pitched with a tenuous one-run lead the entire night. In the sixth inning, when the potential tying run reached third base, he did not falter.

He took the ball from catcher Brian Schneider and fired a 91-m.p.h. sinker for strike one to Miami's cleanup hitter, Carlos Lee. Kendrick glanced at the runner, fired another sinker on the inside corner, and induced a weak pop to second for the third out.

That moment represented everything the Phillies want to see. Kendrick responded to the positive reinforcement.

"I had a talk with him," Manuel said. "[Rich] Dubee had a talk with him. Kendrick's dad had a talk with him. About 50,000 people in Philly had talks with him."

Kendrick appreciated it.

"I know they're behind me," he said. "I know that. The talk went well. I just want to stick to who I am. I was able to do that."

Granted, this success came against a Miami team that has been blanked for three straight games. Only two Marlins runners reached second base. Jimmy Rollins' leadoff homer was ultimately enough offense for Kendrick.

The baffling trend of Kendrick's hot or cold starts perpetuates. In 10 of his 16 starts this season, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer. In the other six, he has been shellacked for five or more earned runs.

He had a 6.59 ERA in April, a 2.89 ERA in May, a 6.96 ERA in June, a 0.00 ERA in July and a 9.82 ERA in August entering Tuesday.

"Obviously," Kendrick said, "if I finish strong starting it makes it easier for next year."

Manuel, so angered before, was jovial after this Kendrick outing. As reporters entered his office at Marlins Park, the manager boasted.

"I have something for you guys," he said. "I want it on the front page. If the other team don't score, we can't lose."

The room erupted in laughter, and this time, it was not at Kendrick's expense.