Rhys Hoskins failed to hit a home run on Monday night but despite the rookie's lack of longball power, the Phillies still somehow managed to defeat the Braves by a final of 6-1.
And I guess Hoskins still contributed to the win despite not hitting a home run. He did rip an RBI double and added a single later in the game.
But again, Hoskins -- who has hit home runs at a record clip since joining the Phillies just a few short weeks ago, did not hit a home run last night, which was a bummer.
Don't think Hoskins' lack of home runs on the night went unnoticed. From Jim Salisbury's game recap.
"I didn't even want to give him a high five," Cameron Rupp deadpanned. "I said, 'Dude, that's not good enough.' I mean, look what he's been doing the last 10 days. Where's that at? Where's that been the last four at-bats?"
Rupp had a point. Hoskins had slugged himself into the game's national spotlight by smacking 11 homers in his first 64 big-league at-bats, faster than anyone in major-league history. Hoskins' home run streak ended at five straight games Monday night, but he still managed the game's biggest hit. His first-pitch double down the left-field line with one out in the sixth inning gave the Phils a 2-1 lead.
"I told him I'm not mad at him," manager Pete Mackanin said. "The double was OK. If you're not going to hit a home run, I'll take a double."
Longtime Phillie-turned-broadcaster John Kruk questioned whether Hoskins should be sent down due to his lack of a home run on the night.
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"Disappointing," Kruk said. "I'm sure they're probably discussing about sending him out. A double? Single? An RBI, a run scored? Come on. Who can't do that."
Hoskins will have a chance to redeem himself and get back in Philly's good graces with a home run Tuesday against the Braves at 7:05 p.m.
