Jimmy Rollins shines on plate as he lives up to Charlie Manuel’s trust - MLB Update
Jimmy Rollins takes the game against the New York Mets as a launching pad to diffuse criticism being levelled at him. Struggling to render responsibilities as a lead-off hitter properly, questions were being raised at his utility at top of the order.
Though he was striking occasional hits, his primary job of getting on bases efficiently was under scan and rapidly giving way to suggestions that replacement will be worth the chance.
Against all the odds, the Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel expressed confidence in his ability. He knew what Rollins meant to the club and the kind of contribution he is capable of rendering to it.
Fruits of the confidence being put in Rollins were visible from the way he charged the Mets on Wednesday and thrashed gigantic hits in the game.
In his customary role as leadoff man, he managed three hits and added three RBIs. The most impressive was the home run he slammed. With base-runners on scoring position and the pitcher bringing all his skills into play, Rollins went out of his way and flew
a massive homer.
This puts a halt to doubts being expressed over his ability to hit distances and prove a valuable hitter at top of the order. With confidence back, he can look forward to do justice with his career home-run record of 172, in upcoming games.
He has fared lower than what his career record suggests. His career on-base percentage is .328, way more than .294 that he has maintained in the season.
Manuel clarified that earlier he was lacking consistency and once he can get over this issue, he can be all what the club want him to be.
"It's kind of been the way things have been going for him. He usually hits a ball a night hard -- some nights he gets a couple hits, some nights when he hits that ball hard, he doesn't get any. That gets back to the consistency part," Manuel said.
A player who has struggled in the season can become a critical reason for sudden improvements in performance of the whole team, if he is back to his best.
The Phillies will hope that with Rollins regaining form, they can put up better performances in the games to come.
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