That has less to do with Happ, the Phillies' Minor League Pitcher of the Year after posting a 3.60 ERA at Class AAA Lehigh Valley, than with Kendrick. Pitching coach Rich Dubee has expressed frustration over Kendrick's reluctance to throw his still-developing breaking pitches and recommended that Kendrick pitch in the Phils' Florida Instructional League after the season.

"People upstairs (in the front office) will make that call if they think it's right," Dubee said. "He's got to understand that you've got to develop a repertoire. In this league, he's no longer a foreign guy. Everybody has seen him. He can't sneak up on anybody anymore. You've got to make adjustments because these guys will adjust to you.

"I want him to improve his slider and develop a changeup he can use. When you throw a high percentage of one pitch, hitting becomes a lot easier. If he throws 100 pitches, you might see 15 cutters. The rest are fastballs -- sinkers and four-seamers."

Last season, Kendrick was the Phils' feel-good story, getting an emergency call-up to the majors in mid-June, earning 10 wins and starting Game 2 of the NL Division Series. This season, he went 8-3 with a 4.47 ERA in 19 starts before the All-Star break. He has gone 3-6 with a 7.63 ERA in his last 10 starts, a stretch that has shaken his confidence.

"Kyle needs a break," Manuel said. "Mentally and physically, he's in a down period right now. It's a longer season than the minor leagues. He's at the point where shutting him down for a while might be good for him."

PHILLIES 8, BRAVES 7: Ryan Howard belted a two-run home run in the eighth inning, the decisive blow in a victory in the series opener at Turner Field. The Phillies won their fifth straight game and moved into first place, a half-game ahead of the Mets in the NL East. The Phillies also improved to 7-0 at Turner Field this season. Howard finished 4-for-5 with three RBIs, increasing his majors-leading totals to 45 homers and 136 RBIs.

Carlos Ruiz hit his fourth homer of the season in the fourth inning. Jayson Werth finished 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and is batting .424 (14-for-33) against the Braves this season. Ryan Madson tossed two scoreless innings of relief before closer Brad Lidge escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to record his 37th save in as many chances this season.