Rollins Has 3-Run Homer; Phillies Beat Tigers, 10-6
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Jimmy Rollins hit a three-run homer in his second plate appearance of an eight-run third inning Friday, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 10-6 win over a Detroit Tigers split-squad.
Batting second in manager Ryne Sandberg's lineup, Rollins led off the third inning with his second walk of the game. The 35-year-old Rollins hit a career-low six home runs last year, including only two in 64 games after the All-Star break.
"He's still got his pop," Sandberg said. "But it's not something I'm stressing or looking at. I like to see gap-to-gap strike form him, using up the middle. Keep a good approach. A home run swing from him for me is just a reaction on a pitch."
Domonic Brown and Carlos Ruiz each had RBI singles for the Phillies while bench hopeful Darin Ruf had a pair of RBIs.
The Phillies entered the third inning trailing 3-1. Detroit rookie third baseman Alex Castellanos hit a bases-clearing double off Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick in the first inning.
Castellanos finished 2 for 3 with a run scored and four RBIs.
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