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| Maikel Franco hit his 10th home run of the season on Sunday. |
"This will be a first ... I'm not used to all that hitting going on so I brought a cheat-cheat out here just so I wouldn't forget anybody," the manager said.
The cheat-cheat made sense considering the Phillies offense erupted for a season high 13 hits en route to an 8-1 win over the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday afternoon. Freddy Galvis was the lone position player without a hit, but he collected an RBI on a ground-out in the opening frame after Odubel Herrera reached on a single and advanced to third on a throwing error by Brewers starter Wily Peralta.
A five-run fifth inning that included back-to-back home runs by Jimmy Paredes and Maikel Franco served as the highlight of the afternoon for the Phillies. Paredes' shot was a three-run blast and his first in the National League since his rookie season in 2011. Franco's was his 10th of the season and fifth against the Brewers in seven games.
"I feel more comfortable at the plate and am seeing the ball much better," Franco said. "I'm making adjustments to pitchers and that's what I'm going to continue and try and do."
Herrera tied his career best with four hits in the contest and put together his first multi-hit game since May 27th in Chicago.
Aaron Nola battled sub-par command but persevered through six scoreless innings. He scattered eights hits and walked a pair, but also notched nine strikeouts. He worked out of jams in almost every inning he pitched but put together his ninth consecutive quality start, a mark matched by only Madison Bumgarner this season.
"That's what I like about him so much, he never losses his composure," Mackanin said."He may get himself in trouble but he knows how to work through it."
The five-run fifth inning marked the first time the Phillies put up more than three runs in an inning this season. The tally could have been greater, but a potential home run by Tommy Joseph was ruled to be a ground-rule double after replay showed a fan reached over the fence and touched the ball.
"Once I got in the dugout [Larry] Bowa had talked to the replay guy," Joseph said smiling. "Then Bo said Bo-words and said it's going to be a double, so I should get back out there ... it was fun while it lasted."
Joseph eventually scored on Paredes' homer.
"I'm happy to contribute," Joseph said. "But I'm especially happy to contribute when we win. It makes it that much more fun to come back into the clubhouse and crank up the tunes."
