PHILADELPHIA — The complaint about Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins in the leadoff spot used to be that he swung too often at the first pitch, he didn’t work the count and his on-base percentage (.328 for his career) wasn’t nearly high enough.
Rollins batted leadoff for the Phillies 1,437 times over 14 seasons coming into this year. With regular leadoff man Ben Revere sick with a stomach bug and struggling to produce (.284 on-base-plus-slugging percentage) in the top spot, Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg etched Rollins’ name atop the Phillies’ lineup for this first time this season on Friday.
Rollins has rewarded his manager in three games since.
In Sunday’s 8-3 win over the Reds, Rollins reached base three times and jumpstarted the Phillies’ offense with a home run to begin the game — the 46th leadoff homer of his career. He also drew two walks and scored a pair of runs.
“I like Jimmy in the leadoff spot,” Sandberg said. “Right now, he has a really good approach up there as far as hitting for average, and he looks really patient working the pitchers and taking walks.”
After being shut out Friday, the Phillies scored 20 runs in two games vs. Cincinnati with Rollins leading off. The 35-year-old shortstop also owns a .359 OBP on the season, representing his best career mark to date.
Sandberg was noncommittal when asked if he’ll keep Rollins in the top spot when Revere returns, which is expected to happen Tuesday.
“We’ll see,” Sandberg said.