Outfielder Cody Ross was running off the field at the end of the seventh inning Wednesday in New York when David Wright turned and said: "Don't be afraid to hit a single." But why hit a single when home runs are coming just as easily? Eight of Ross' last nine hits were home runs entering Friday's series opener against the Phillies.
"It's not like I'm going up there trying to hit home runs," said Ross, who is hitting .201 with nine home runs in 94 at-bats.
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez resisted the temptation to put Ross in the lineup Friday knowing he will play Saturday and Sunday when the Phillies throw two left-handers.
The fact that Ross is hitting home runs is not unusual. Last season, he had 12 in 173 at-bats, the third-highest home-run percentage behind Barry Bonds and Adam Dunn.
Ross, though, is dispelling the perception that he can only hit left-handers with five homers this season off righties. He is hitting .190 against lefties and .212 versus right-handers.
PHILLIES 12, MARLINS 3: The Phillies knocked the Marlins out of first place for the first time in 25 days by jumping on Mark Hendrickson for seven runs in the second inning. The Marlins jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning then ran out of gas. They popped out seven times and grounded out just twice against sinker-baller Brett Myers. Hendrickson lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing 10 runs and seven hits.
