Phillies Notebook: Kyle Kendrick pleased with performance as spring training winds up

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Kyle Kendrick was pitching in a minor league game in the last week of March. This year, that is a good thing. Kendrick, who has spent most of the last 4 years in a swing role that has sometimes left him on the precipice of the minor leagues, wrapped up a strong spring training on Monday afternoon. He allowed five earned runs, while surrendering three home runs on a windy day, but he struck out eight and walked only one, and afterward was pleased with his preparation for the regular season.

"Honestly, with everything coming out of the spring, this is the best I've ever felt where I'm at with everything," Kendrick said. "I feel very comfortable with my stuff and who I am as a pitcher and where I'm at. I'm excited to get going, that's for sure."

In Kendrick's last Grapefruit League outing, on March 19 against the Yankees, he pitched six scoreless innings and allowed only two baserunners, while striking out three. His offspeed stuff has looked strong all spring. At the moment, he is penciled in for the home opener against the Royals a week from Friday, but that could change if the Phillies decide to juggle things around to get Roy Halladay an extra day of mound time before his regular-season debut.

"I haven't heard anything about where I'm starting yet, but if it's the fourth game, it's the home opener and I'm excited about that," Kendrick said. "I've never had that before. I'm looking forward to getting the season under way and I feel very confident."

Last year, Kendrick entered the season as the long man out of the bullpen. This year, he could have an important spot in the rotation, particularly if Halladay's spring struggles carry over into the season.

The hits kept on coming. And coming. And coming. The Toronto Blue Jays' new-look lineup lived up to its billing against Phillies lefty John Lannan, who allowed 12 runs in four innings in his final Grapefruit League start.

Lannan allowed two home runs to Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia and a triple to Jose Reyes as Toronto finished with six extra-base hits against him.

Lannan, who will enter the season as the Phillies' No. 5 starter, had pitched relatively well until Monday afternoon's start.

"For most of the day, I was up in the zone and they take advantage," Lannan said. "I got my butt kicked and you move on."

In Lannan's previous Grapefruit League outing, he pitched five scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Rays. The lefty was pragmatic about his rocky outing against the Blue Jays.

"It's that time of the spring where your arm isn't as quick as it needs to be," he said.

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