Darin Ruf leaving good impression on Phillies as season winds down

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Darin Ruf is leaving a good impression on Phillies officials as he wraps up the 2015 season.

Ruf’s two-run home run off lefty Sean Gilmartin was the big hit in the Phils’ 3-0 win over the New York Mets on Thursday (see game story).

Ruf has played regularly throughout the final month of the season, first getting time against lefties at first base and then getting full-time at-bats when Ryan Howard went down with a banged-up left knee.

In his last 23 games, Ruf is hitting .244 with seven homers, 21 RBIs and an .852 OPS.

“He’s swinging the bat very well,” Mackanin said. “We’re trying to get him at-bats so we can make a decision on him for next year. He’s swinging the bat better now against right-handers and he’s just been dominant against left-handers. It’s good to see.”

In 108 plate appearances against lefties, Ruf has a majors-best 1.122 OPS. Mackanin has hinted that he could use a platoon with Howard and Ruf at first base again next season.

Ruf is 29 now and his career has been such a series of ups and downs that he takes everything day by day.

“I hope so,” he said of continuing to see playing time next season. “I don’t know how my play is evaluated. I just try to go out every day and put together quality at-bats and if that impresses people, great. If it doesn’t, I still have to continue to do my thing.”

Ruf acknowledged that more playing time and more at-bats have helped his ability to recognize pitches. He sniffed out a full-count breaking ball from Gilmartin and clubbed it deep to left to give the Phils a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning Thursday.

“Hitting is timing and it’s not easy if you’re not seeing pitches on a consistent basis,” Mackanin said. “It’s good to see Ruf get his chance. He’s showing some good things.”

Ruf will be back in the lineup on Friday as the Phils open the final series of the season against the Miami Marlins and lefty Justin Nicolino.

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