Rollins and Lopez Lead Phillies Over Mets
Rollins led off the game with a double, starting the Phillies offensive explosion off Mets’ starter Livan Hernandez. Rollins scored on Chase Utley’s single and Greg Dobbs doubled giving Rodrigo Lopez an early cushion.
The Phillies couldn’t have asked for more out of Lopez, who was making his first Major League start since 2007. Lopez pitched six shutout innings before getting into trouble in the seventh. He limited the Mets to two runs on six hits in 6.1 innings. He walked one and struck out four. It was the type of performance the Phillies needed.
The Phillies continued to pile on runs off Hernandez. In the third inning, Jayson Werth homered and Rollins’ two run double gave the Phillies a 7-0 lead. Rollins finished the night 2-for-5. Two nights will not officially put Rollins out of his slump, but it is a good start.
Victorino also had a decent night going 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Chase Utley chipped in with two hits and two runs batted in. Every hitter in the Phillies lineup roughed up Hernandez, who lasted only three innings.
First place remains safe for one more day. Perhaps this win is something that the Phillies can build on.
