June 18 -- IN-GAME UPDATES

About 30 minutes away from today's first pitch, here's the Phillies lineup against Red Sox rookie RHP Justin Masterson (3-1, 2.90 ERA): SS Jimmy Rollins (.289/6/25), CF Shane Victorino (.281/2/18), 2B Chase Utley (.299/22/62), 1B Ryan Howard (.221/19/62), LF Pat Burrell (.284/18/47), RF Geoff Jenkins (.260/6/21), 3B Greg Dobbs (.359/2/18), C Carlos Ruiz (.226/2/20), RHP Kyle Kendrick (6-2, 4.54 ERA).
No Manny Ramirez today for the Sawx. He reportedly felt a twinge of discomfort in his right hamstring last night, so for precautionary reasons, he's on the bench. I'm sure Kendrick doesn't mind.

Top first: Rocky start for Kendrick, who has thrown 12 pitches and already trails 3-0. After back-to-back singles by Jacoby Ellsbury (the former Blue Rock) and Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew jolted a three-run homer into the seats in right-center, sparking even more boos from what appears to be the 19th sellout crowd this season at the Bank. ... Make it 16 pitches for Kendrick, 4-0 Red Sox. Mike Lowell just followed Drew with a solo homer into the left-field seats.

Bottom first: Phillies get one run back on a one-out walk by Victorino and a two-out single by Howard. In between, Utley grounded out, moving Victorino to second base but extending his slump to 0-for-17. 4-1, Sox.

Top third: A restless fan near the press box just yelled, "Throw strikes." Well, when Kendrick does, they get hit. After a one-out double by Drew, Lowell got hit by a pitch. Then came a two-out walk to Jason Varitek, a two-run single by pinch-hitting Brandon Moss and a two-out walk to Julio Lugo. Kendrick struck out Masterson, but not before the Sawx to a 6-1 lead.

Top fourth: Is that a white flag I see? No, it's just reliever Clay Condrey. Kendrick's day is done. His final line: 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R/ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K, 2 HR. Condrey was greeted by a one-out double by Pedroia and a single by Drew, now 3-for-3 with four RBIs and still getting booed for shunning the Phillies 11 years ago. Phillies fan can hold a grudge, can't they? 7-1, Sox.

Bottom seventh: Better late than never, the Phillies' bats are warming up. Pinch-hitting Pedro Feliz's two-run single against reliever Craig Hansen scored Eric Bruntlett and Ruiz to shave the deficit to 7-4. But with two on and no outs, Victorino popped out, Utley flew to left (he's now 0-for-20) and Howard struck out (No. 102 this season) against Manny Delcarmen. 7-4, Sox.

Bottom ninth: Three up, three down in the ninth for nasty Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. 7-4 Sox, final. Phillies lose their third straight series and have dropped six of their last nine games.