Phillies’ Jayson Werth
is a big hit

In the Batter’s Box
By Matt Godfrey

Ryan Howard.
Chase Utley.
Pat Burrell.
Maybe even Jimmy Rollins.
When I think about the Phillies’ power hitters, those four names come to mind.
Other guys obviously have the ability to hit for power, but those four — at least in my mind — are the ones I would expect power from every time they step up to the plate.
Now it seems we can add Jayson Werth to that list.
After his three-home-run, eight-RBI game last Friday, Werth earned himself a starting role in Charlie Manuel’s seemingly stocked outfield.
Those eight RBIs put him in a five-way tie for the franchise record with Kitty Bransfield, Gavvy Cravath, Willie "Puddin’ Head" Jones and good ol’ Michael Jack Schmidt.
His three home runs tied him for the most in a nine-inning game. (In ’76, Schmidt slammed four consecutive homers in an extra-innings game against the Cubs.)
The last three-homer game by a Phillie came on Sept. 30, 2006, when Ryan Howard slammed them off Atlanta Braves ace Tim Hudson.
Werth, who normally platoons in rightfield with Geoff Jenkins, was the centerfielder in the starting lineup for Friday night’s game.
Shane Victorino, the usual starter in center, slid over to rightfield while Jenkins was on the bench because the Toronto Blue Jays were throwing a lefthander, rookie David Purcey.
Werth got started early when he stepped to the plate in the second inning. He belted a three-run bomb after Purcey walked Howard and the now semi-struggling Pat Burrell.
In the next inning, Purcey loaded the bases for Werth, and the outcome was the same. He drove the ball over the rightfield wall for his first career grand slam and a career-high seven RBIs.
Werth’s huge output helped knock Purcey out of the game and actually out of the majors — Toronto sent the lefty to its Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse after the game.
A new pitcher in the fifth, righthander Jesse Litsch, proved to be no help for the Blue Jays. Werth drove a solo shot into the bleachers for his eighth RBI of the game.
"They say that home runs are accidents," Werth told MLB.com. "I hope that I have about twenty more accidents this year."
I’m sure Manuel would be happy, too, if his newly anointed starting centerfielder would have as many of these "accidents" as possible from here on out.
Werth’s worth, for lack of a better term, started to surface when he received some regular playing time after Victorino had gone on the disabled list with a strained right calf.
Since Victorino’s return a few weeks ago, Werth had cooled a bit until his breakout on Friday night.
While Victorino and Jenkins have voiced their desire for a starter’s role, Manuel is the guy who puts the lineup together. One factor that affects his decisions each day is how a guy is performing. If the manager were to award anyone a starting spot for any reason other than performance, he’d be doing us all a disservice.
One thing is for sure, though.
When Aaron Rowand opted for free agency during the offseason, a lot of people were wondering who’d wield the bat to protect Howard and Burrell in the lineup.
Werth is making a pretty strong case right now.
He also may be making the Phillies think harder about their plan of action for impending free agent Burrell.
Burrell’s contract is up after this season, and with the way he is playing, he could look for another high-money contract.
The Phillies must decide if they want to bring back the frustrating slugger, while also figuring out long-term deals for Howard and potential Cy Young candidate Cole Hamels in the near future.
While having too many good, productive players is an enviable situation, keeping them happy is the key to long-term success. ••