The Official Site of Chase Utley

Thu, Apr 15th 2010, 12:29

Chase belts 2 HR's as Phils sweep Nationals

Only a few hours after leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, Shane Victorino came to the ballpark and saw his name at the top of the Phillies’ lineup instead. Though just 2-for-17 to start the season, Victorino couldn’t resist the urge to needle his injured teammate.

“I told him, ‘Be careful, I’m going to take that job from you,’” Victorino said.

It didn’t take Victorino long to back up his words. And the Phils quickly answered any lingering questions about how they’ll fill Rollins’ void.

Victorino broke out for four hits and a career-high five RBIs, pacing Philadelphia’s 14-7 display against Washington and extending the Phils’ record to 7-1 on the season. It matches the team’s best start since 1993.

“This lineup, as an opposing pitcher, it’s got to be frustrating,” Victorino said.

The Phillies are indeed flying high, winners of six in a row, holding the best record in the league, and seemingly faultless on the offensive end. The Nationals could have just left the bullpen door open all night.

Six pitchers, 14 runs allowed, 14 hits surrendered and 176 pitches thrown represented the final line for Washington’s pitching staff, and this without two of Philadelphia’s best hitters in the lineup. Rollins was placed on the DL after an MRI revealed a Grade 1 or 2 right calf strain, and right fielder Jayson Werth sat out with a sore hip.

But few could’ve even noticed. Chase Utley hit two home runs, Ryan Howard had two RBIs, and the top four batters in the lineup went a combined 10-for-18 with 12 RBIs. Even reliever Nelson Figueroa went 2-for-2 at the plate.

“It’s one of these things where we have confidence in this lineup, we know that it’s not going to take one guy to carry us all the time,” Figueroa said. “It makes it a lot of fun to be a part of that.”

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