What impressed me the most in the Phillies' crushing 8-0 win over the Astros last night: Placido Polanco and David Herndon. Whether Polanco hitting in the two-hole is the sole reason for this awesome balance in the hitting line-up is debatable, but he does do his job extremely well. And with Jimmy Rollins suddenly taking walks as well as getting hits, that usually means at least one guy is on base for the big guns. The other thing about Polanco: He looks as if he had never left. Makes you think about what could have been had he been a part of the team last year.
I've now seen David Herndon, the Rule 5 sinker baller from the Angels, twice in games. Granted they were not close ones, but the guy looks good. He works out of trouble and looks to be making the best of his opportunity in the majors. It's good to see.
Also good to see, forceful signs from Raul Ibanez, who hit the ball well last night. OK, everybody--but Victorino--hit last night, but Ibanez last night looked like his real self.
It's not likely that the Phillies will continue to get 10+ hits in every game, but boy this line-up is fun to watch. They are indeed 'gonna hit'.
