CLEARWATER, Fla. – When it comes to the much-talked-about subject of his playing time, Darin Ruf has a healthy attitude.
“I just love to be out there playing and hitting and trying to help my team win whether that’s facing lefties or righties or whoever,” he said. “I try to embrace my role and do as well in it as I can. If you do well in your role you can earn yourself more at-bats.”
Ruf’s role Wednesday was starting first baseman against the Baltimore Orioles. He keyed an 8-4 Phillies' win with a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot in the first inning. He has three home runs in the last two games.
On Tuesday, Ruf homered against Pittsburgh lefty Jonathon Niese. Wednesday’s longballs came against right-handers Yovanni Gallardo and Vance Worley. That was significant because Ruf is viewed mostly as a platoon first baseman who kills lefties and struggles against righties. He hit .371 with eight homers, 22 RBIs and a 1.109 OPS against lefties last season and just .158 with a .483 OPS against righties.
Ruf believes he can be better against righties. He may get the chance to see them more this season if he produces against lefties and Ryan Howard, the other half of the first-base platoon, struggles against righties.
“I just try to have a consistent approach, whether it’s a righty or a lefty,” Ruf said. “Just try to put good swings on the ball.
“It’s nice to have good at-bats and see positive results early in camp, but these stats will be erased at the end of the month. You want to swing it well and earn a role and spot on the team, but it’s what you do from April to October that really matters.”
Ruf worked hard on his swing and approach in the offseason.
“I worked on incorporating my lower half more and being balanced when I hit and when I land with my stride,” he said. “That way if it’s a heater I’m on time with it and if it’s a breaking ball I can stay on my legs and react and remain stable and see it.”
Ruf is seeing it well this week.
“He’s in a pretty good groove right now,” said Larry Bowa, who ran the game in Clearwater while Pete Mackanin traveled to Fort Myers for a split-squad game. “He’s swinging with confidence and playing good defense.”
Indeed, Ruf made a terrific scoop on a ball in the dirt to complete a double play.
Howard did not play. He has missed five straight games recovering from an illness that has swept camp. Jeremy Hellickson became the latest victim when he was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday.
In Fort Myers
Three of the team’s best starting pitching prospects — Zach Eflin, Jake Thompson and Mark Appel – combined for eight innings of one-run ball and Cameron Rupp homered twice to lead the Phils to a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Eflin, Thompson and Appel combined for six strikeouts and no walks.
The Phillies have won seven of their last eight games, including two split-squad affairs.
“I know spring training (results) sometimes get overrated but when you have a lot of young kids I thinks it’s good to win,” Bowa said. “I know we’re not facing everyone’s A team right now, but these young kids are getting a good taste. It’s great experience for them before they go wherever they’re going to be and they’re making a good impression while they’re here.”
Health check
Reliever David Hernandez continued to downplay his bout with triceps tendinitis. He believes he could be ready to pitch off a mound in the next day or two.
“It shouldn’t set me back at all,” he said. “I’d rather take a few days off now than two weeks in the season. I should be ready for opening day. I just didn’t bounce back as good as I wanted after my first outing and we decided to take a few days off.”
Hernandez has pitched just once in exhibition play and that was on March 1.
Up next
The Phillies host the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon. Aaron Nola will start against Jordan Zimmermann, the former Washington Nationals pitcher who signed with Detroit in the offseason.