BOX SCORE
Youre not the only one who has noticed that Jimmy Rollins hasnt done much with the bat this season.
His mom has noticed, too.
A few days ago, Gigi Rollins called her son.
You know what I want for Mothers Day? she said.
At first, Jimmy stammered a little. Hed already picked out a Mothers Day gift and it was on its way. Would there be enough time to get his mom what she really wanted?
You can handle this, Gigi assured her son. I want you to get your average up.
MLB
Rollins batting average didnt move Sunday -- hes hitting .230 -- but he did hit his first homer of the season, a leadoff shot in the bottom of the first inning to get the Phils on their way to a 3-2 win over San Diego on Mothers Day at Citizens Bank Park (see Instant Replay).
After the game, Rollins called his mother, who had watched the game on television at home in Alameda, Calif.
Thats the way to get it started, she told her son.
Cole Hamels was appreciative of the early offense. He was also pleased with RBI hits from Brian Schneider in the second and Juan Pierre in the fifth. The offense helped him win for the fifth time on the day he came back from a five-game suspension for intentionally plunking Washingtons Bryce Harper last week.
Hamels wouldnt talk about the incident nor would he respond to Washington general manager Mike Rizzos labeling him fake tough.
Im past that, Hamels said.
Hamels command was a little spotty, but not because of the layoff. The suspension amounted simply to his being pushed back one day in the rotation and him and Roy Halladay switching spots. Hamels battled through a soaring pitch count in the middle innings and gave his team seven innings of one-run ball. He left with the lead and though the bullpen allowed one run, it didnt let the lead get away as the Phils ended up taking two of three from the Padres, owners of the NLs worst record.
The Phils would have swept the series had they given Roy Halladay a few runs in Saturday nights 2-1 loss. Halladay struck out 10 batters over seven innings, but the bats went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
We could have swept them but we didnt, manager Charlie Manuel said. Todays win helped us win the series.
The Phils had just eight hits, but they were timely. The RBI hits by Schneider and Pierre, both against 37-year-old starter Jeff Suppan, came with two outs. Schneider singled home Ty Wigginton in the second and Pierre stroked a double to right on a 1-2 pitch. That scored Schneider, who had led off with a double.
Pierre is hitting .351 (33 for 94). The only Phillie with more hits is Shane Victorino (37 for 143.259).
Pierres hit came with his mother, Derry, in town from Louisiana for the game. He presented her with flowers on the field before the game.
Its required that a player get a big hit for his mother on Mothers Day when shes at the game, right?
Not for Pierre.
More so if my dad was here, he said. Mom doesnt care if youre 0 for 4 -- she still loves you no matter what. Thats why moms are so special.
The victory pushed the Phils record to 16-19. They are still in last place in the NL East as the search for consistency plods onward.
I said at the beginning of the season if we execute well win, Rollins said. We just havent been executing.
The Phils actually played two pretty good gamesFriday and Sunday -- against the Padres, who are 12-23.
Maybe its the start of something. Maybe its not. The Phils have been down this road before, only to hit dead ends.
Manuel hopes its the start of something. The skipper is still looking for more life and confidence from his club. At times, he said, he senses doubt in his club.
The only cure for that is consistent winning.
We need to enjoy playing, he said. Were quiet. I still think were trying too hard. Weve got a lot of new players. Weve got to do something exciting and get everyone on the club on the same page.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com