Monday, May 23, 2011
Posted: 9:54 p.m.Updated: 11:55 p.m.
By John R. Finger
CSNPhilly.com
BOX SCORE
Its probably no coincidence that the Phillies had their biggest offensive output in nearly a month on the same night that Chase Utley made his 2011 debut. Even though the All-Star second baseman contributed nothing more than an 0 for 5 to the onslaught on Monday night at the Bank, thats almost beside the point.
Instead, the point is the Phillies looked like a complete team for a change at least for one night.
The Phillies whipped the Cincinnati Reds, 10-3, scoring twice as many runs in the game than they had in the last three games against the Texas Rangers. In fact, the Phillies scored as many runs in Mondays game as they did in the last seven games combined.
Though Utley was thrust into the No. 2 spot in the order before the largest regular-season crowd (45,841) in stadium history, the real show came from his rejuvenated teammates who swung the bats the way were used to seeing.
I dont know if its his presence, but somebody did something right. So well give him credit, manager Charlie Manuel said about Utley.
MLB
The Phillies slugged three home runs, had three doubles and went 4 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Better yet, the Phils batted around in the third inning, one frame after they put runners on second and third with no outs and could not score. Oddly enough, Utley led off the seven-run third where he made the first and third outs of the inning.
Of course, the Phillies suddenly lively bats could have something to do with the fact they faced Bronson Arroyo, a pitcher they have owned over the past decade. After putting nine runs on the board in the first three innings, Arroyo fell to 1-6 with a 7.13 ERA in nine outings.
Was there any foreshadowing during the past nine games where the team never scored more than three runs that this one was coming?
No, Manuel said. We came out tonight, and we got good balls to hit, and we started hitting the ball pretty good.
So chalk that up as an assist to Arroyo, but since everyone is feeling good about the bats, well leave the poor pitching aside for the time being.
Nevertheless, the teams most consistent hitters of late continued to bash the ball around the yard. Placido Polanco went 2 for 4 with a walk and a first-inning homer that gave the Phillies a quick, 2-0 lead, while Ral Ibaez also went 2 for 4 with an RBI single in the game-breaking third and a solo shot off lefty Matt Maloney an inning later.
Ibaezs homer traveled into flora beyond the center-field fence.
In his last 12 games at the Bank, Ibaez is 17 for 42 (.404) with four homers, which is significant when one takes into account the .161 batting average with a .247 on-base percentage and an 0-for-35 skid to close out April. But since breaking out of the slump, Ibaez is batting .338 with four homers and 10 RBIs.
More interestingly, Ibaez is batting .294 with three homers against lefthanded pitchers this season.
Clearly, Ibaez has made a few adjustments.
There are a lot of things different, but nothing I really want to get into, Ibaez said, sticking to the superstitious and cryptic nature of a ballplayer going well. Mostly Im just trying to see the ball and put the fat part on it and let the chips fall where they may.
Still, Ibaez career is defined by streakiness. Hes had great highs, like the stretch in 2009 where he slugged 17 homers with 46 RBIs in the first 48 games of the season, and hes also had the horrible valleys like that 0 for 35.
In between there have been other stretches of streakiness, mixed with injuries and the vagaries of life, but somehow Ibaez has come through it alright. Manuel keeps putting his name in the lineup and Ibaez continues to try to get hits.
Its part of the game and as my college coach, Charlie Green, used to say, Its a tough game for tough guys, Ibaez said about the excesses of baseball. You really dont know what he means until you hit the minor leagues and play 142 games and then the big leagues for 162 and then you go, I understand what he meant now. Its a tough game, and its not a game for the faint of heart, and you have to stick with it and stay positive and keep grinding.
Actually, Ibaez could be talking about the teams offense, too. The Phillies havent had too many games like Mondays where they scored runs and got some hits. Needless to say, it was a welcomed change.
We were able to string a few together, Ibaez said. That was good.
Who cares that it came off a pitcher that the Phillies own.E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com