Kyle Kendrick became the second Phillies pitcher this season to reach the double digit mark in wins, and Ryan Howard hit his 32nd home run of the season as the Phillies beat the Marlins 5-0.

Kendrick (10-5, 4.37), pitched six shutout innings allowing four hits and an uncharacteristic four walks.  Although it would appear this wasn’t Kendrick’s strongest performance of the season, I would disagree.  Despite the fact he had trouble locating his sinker, he beared down and pitched though every jam like a ten-year veteran; not a pitcher only making his 43rd career start.  When he did allow runners to reach base (every inning but the fifth), he refused to give in to the Marlins hitters, squashing any hope of a Marlins rally.  Most notably in the 4th.

After retiring the first two batters, Kendrick walked John Baker and Anibel Sanchez. Hanley Ramirez followed with an infield single. Jeremy Hermida stepped to the plate with the bases loaded.  Only to hit and inning-ending line out to Jimmy Rollins.

With tonight’s win Kendrick’s career record moves to 20-9.

This game was about more then Kyle Kendrick.  The Phillies bats came alive, and while they still did leave 11 men on base, they got big hits when they needed it, led by Ryan Howard.  Howard finished 2 for 5 with a home run and a double off the top of the left field wall (literally inches from his second home run).

It wasn’t just Howard who hit the ball well last night.  The Phillies got on the board early.  In the bottom of the first, after Shane Victorino walked, he scored on a Chase Utley double, giving the Phillies an early 1-0 lead.  They added two more runs in the second, making it 3-0, on a double by Eric Bruntlett (who went 2 for 3), and a ground out by Kendrick.

Capping the scoring might have been the most exciting run of the night.  At least for the guy who hit it.  Rookie Mike Cervenak picked up his first major league hit and RBI, pinch hitting for Kendrick in the 6th inning.  Cervenak, a ten-year minor league veteran, laced a Doug Waechter fastball to left field, which scored Bruntlett.  It came in Cervenak’s third major league at-bat.

With this win, the Phillies move two-and-a-half games over the Marlins, and three games over the Mets, who lost to the San Diego Padres.  Cole Hamels takes the mound this afternoon, attempting to rebound from back-to-back poor starts, as the Phillies look to win their fourth consecutive series and extend their lead in the NL East.