BOX SCORE
MINNEAPOLISThe Phillies plunge in the NL East standings continued Tuesday night as they suffered their ninth loss in 10 games, an 11-7 setback at the hands of the Minnesota Twins.The loss dropped the Phils to 9 games back in the division. They have not had a double-digit deficit in the division since June 2006. They could arrive at that point by end of the day Wednesday.The Twins bludgeoned Phillies pitching for 17 hits, eight for extra bases.The Phils had 14 hits, but just three (all doubles) for extra bases.Starting pitching reportKyle Kendrick (2-6) did not pitch well. He allowed eight hits, including two home runs, and six runs in four innings. Kendrick gave up five hits and a walk in allowing four runs in the second inning as the Twins sprang to a 5-0 lead.Nick Blackburn (3-4) gave up four runs, all in the fourth inning, and left with an 8-4 lead.Bullpen reportThe Phillies offense put together a rally in the sixth, but the bullpen could not keep the game close. Joe Savery allowed three runs in two innings of work, though he was not supported by good defense. B.J. Rosenberg allowed a pair of runs in the seventh as the Twins went up by four runs.At the plateJimmy Rollins had four hits and a pair of RBIs, but popped up with runners on the corners in a 9-7 game to end the top of the seventh. Jim Thome drove in a pair of runs with a single in the sixth. Thome added a single in the eighth. He is 8 for 17 in the last four games, all as the teams designated hitter.The Twins hit three home runs. Denard Span and Josh Willingham had solo shots and Trevor Plouffe hit a two-run shot. The Twins also hit a pair of balls off the wall that narrowly missed being homers.In the fieldMike Fontenot was a standout at third base, but rightfielder Hunter Pence misplayed a single into a triple (and the runner eventually scored) in the fifth.
Health checkPlacido Polancos left wrist has improved and he hopes to start Wednesday night (see story).Up nextCole Hamels (8-3, 2.93) opposes righthander P.J. Walters (2-1, 4.42) on Wednesday night. Hamels has lost two straight starts, squandering a 3-0 lead in both of them.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.