Galvis' first hit bright spot for struggling Phils

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Freddy Galvis said it never occurred to him that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel might pinch-hit for him with two runners on base in the seventh inning Monday afternoon.
It occurred to Manuel.
Sure did, Manuel said. Gave thought to it.
Cant blame him.
Galvis was 0 for 12 in the majors when he was due up in a key spot in the Phils home opener against the Marlins. The Phils trailed 5-0, and had scored six runs in 34 innings this year but had runners on the corners with one out, which for this team qualifies as a major rally.
Manuel considered hitting for the 22-year-old rookie from Venezuela.
Then decided against it.
I wanted to show I have confidence in him, Manuel said. Freddys going to be a good ballplayer. I like Freddy. I like Freddy a lot. Freddys going to be fine. He was 0 for 10, 0 for 9, something like that, am I going to send him a message that I dont think he can hit? I dont think so.
So out came Galvis, lugging that .000 career batting average to the plate.
If he pulled me, Galvis said later with a laugh, maybe I hit anyway.
And Galvis then did what Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence, Juan Pierre, Placido Polanco and the rest of the Phillies couldnt do Monday.
Drove in a couple runs.
Galviss first career hit, a double to left-center, knocked in Victorino and Carlos Ruiz with the Phillies seventh and eighth runs of the year.
Its a relief, Galvis said. Right now, Im feeling much better.
Galviss two-run seventh-inning double knocked Anibal Sanchez out of the game after 6 13 innings, but that was it for the Phillies offense, and the Marlins spoiled the Phils home opener with a 6-2 win at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies are now 1-3.
Galvis, playing second to start the season in place of injured Chase Utley, said the 0-fer was starting to wear on him.
Since the second game, I was like, Wow, when am I going to get it? he said. Just trying to hit the ball hard and try to get a base hit.
After Randy Choate replaced Sanchez, Ty Wigginton struck out, and Pierre lined out to short, ending what Victorino actually called the Phillies big inning.
Pretty sad when two runs has become a big inning.
But at least Galvis provided one of the few highlights of a disappointing afternoon.
That was big for him, Victorino said. To see him get that hit in that situation, that was real big.
After Victorino scored, he noticed that Marlins leftfielder Chris Coghlan had thrown the ball back to Sanchez.
I just wanted to make sure he got the ball, Victorino said. I remember my first base hit. Youre excited and you want to make sure you get the ball.
So Victorino yelled over at Sanchez to toss the ball into the Phillies dugout. Sanchez wasnt sure what Victorino was yelling about at first.
I told him, Its his first base hit, and then he just laughed and threw the ball in, Victorino said. I know him a little bit, so I knew he wouldnt mind. Plus, hes still up 5-2.
Things are so bad for the run-starved Phillies that Galviswith one career base hit and an .077 batting averageis now second on the team with those two RBIs, one fewer than Hunter Pence.
Galviss double wasnt just his first career hit, it was the Phillies first multiple-RBI extra-base hit this year.
The Phillies have scored eight runs in four games, and the last time they scored fewer runs in their first four games was 1982, when they scored just six.
Were not doing a lot of hitting right now, Galvis said. We just have to keep working on it, and get better.
Galvis was exclusively a shortstop in five minor-league seasons but has been very good defensively so far at his new position. Hes handled 29 chances flawlessly and helped turn four double-plays.
Just try to play hard every day, Galvis said. Right now, Im not getting any base hits, but if I dont hit, I dont let it affect my defense. I am feeling much better at second base. Feel like I have my confidence now.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.

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