Brown impressive in debut, a 7-1 Phillies win

FROM THE MORNING CALL

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia has a new crush, and it happened quickly — in just one date as a matter of fact.

The sweet swing, the long strides, the eye-popping numbers had hearts aflutter at Citizens Bank Park.

That crush is Domonic Brown, and he already has won the hearts of Phillies fans everywhere.


Brown was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored in his major league debut, which was a 7-1 victory over Arizona on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.

"I think he's got a bobble-head coming out Thursday," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said with a big chuckle. "I suggested it."

Manuel was joking of course, but that puts into perspective just how much of an effect the rookie had on energy at Citizens Bank Park.

"I definitely heard how excited the fans were for him," said pitcher Roy Halladay, who threw his major league leading eighth complete game.

The victory, helped by the Phillies going 12-for-35 (.343) with six doubles, marked the Phillies' seventh in a row and 10th straight at home, their longest winning streak in Philadelphia since winning 16 straight at Veterans Stadium from July 15 to Aug. 28, 1991.

"It definitely feels the way it's supposed to feel," said Raul Ibanez, who was on base four times, twice with hits and two other times with walks. "We're playing well together and expecting good things to happen and that's what it takes."

Brown, called up Wednesday to replace the injured Shane Victorino on the 25-man roster, hit a double off the right-field wall in his first big league at-bat in the second inning, scoring Jayson Werth for the Phillies' first run. He also singled and scored a run in the sixth and hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh that made it 6-0.

"A couple of bombs would have been nice," Brown said with laughter. "But no, it went great; let's not get head over heels."

Clearly, Brown isn't about getting attention, but with the hype and his first-game numbers, it sure seems like he'll be getting a lot of it.

"Everyone was watching to see what he did," Manuel said. "The players, they were watching him play of course."

Carlos Ruiz and Werth also had big games. Ruiz was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a season-high three RBIs and a run scored. Werth was 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored.

Halladay (12-8) allowed just one run with two outs in the ninth inning. He struck out nine and didn't walk anyone.

Manuel said he didn't think of pulling his ace after the eighth.

"Why not? Go ask him," Manuel said. "I don't think he'd let me take him out. If I was pitching a shutout, I wouldn't want my manager taking me out."

The Phillies (55-46) wrap up their seven-game homestand on Thursday against Arizona.


http://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/phillies/mc-philsdback-0728-gamer-20100728,0,2961620.story