NEW YORK – While one Phillies legend unexpectedly headed to the disabled list on Tuesday night, the legend of another Phillie continued to grow.
Maikel Franco had his second straight five-RBI game -- he is the first Phillie to do that since RBIs became an official stat in 1920 -- in leading the Phillies to an 11-6 win over the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
The Phillies placed Chase Utley on the disabled list after the game (see story).
Franco followed up his two-homer game Monday with a three-run homer in the fourth inning and a tie-breaking two-run double in the ninth inning (see Instant Replay).
His latest big night came with his parents and brother in the stands.
“Obviously, I am enjoying this,” the 22-year-old Domincan said. “It’s just a great moment right now. I want to preserve the moment. I want to have fun."
Franco is having a lot a fun.
He came up from Triple A in mid-May and has 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 144 at-bats over 37 games. He is hitting .319 overall and .415 (34 for 82) in June, best in the majors. His OPS for the month is 1.266.
“Franco right now is connecting on a lot of balls,” manager Ryne Sandberg said. “Two five-RBI games. I was told it was the first time in Phillies history. That speaks for itself. He’s using the whole field. Right now he’s a pretty good force in the middle of the lineup.”
Only one other big-league hitter has had consecutive five-RBI games this season -- Washington’s Bryce Harper.
The Phillies have won three games in a row and young players are leading the way.
Cameron Rupp got his third straight start behind the plate Tuesday night and responded with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. It was his first big-league homer.
Cesar Hernandez started at second base again. He had three hits, including an RBI double, and scored two runs.
Ben Revere also had three hits and scored three runs.
Revere, Hernandez and Franco have hit 1-2-3 in the order the last two games against the Yankees. Revere has six hits and five runs in the two games. Hernandez has five hits and five runs. Franco has six hits, including three homers, five runs and 10 RBIs.
The Phillies still have the worst record in baseball at 26-47. But at least some of these young players are making them fun to watch lately.
“It’s great to see,” Sandberg said of the young players. “They bring a lot of energy on the field. They’re playing good baseball, building rallies and running the bases and playing good defense. A lot of good stuff. Ben and Cesar are creating some havoc at the top of the lineup and Franco is connecting on a lot of balls.”
The Phils took a 6-3 lead on CC Sabathia in the fourth inning, but starter Sean O’Sullivan could not hold it. The Phils’ bullpen was exceptional in holding the fort with 4 2/3 scoreless innings until the ninth when Revere (double) and Hernandez (hit by pitch) got things going against reliever Dellin Betances to set the stage for Franco’s go-ahead double to left.
Quick turnaround as the Phils go for an improbable sweep and just their 10th road win of the season behind Cole Hamels on Wednesday afternoon.