For months, in batting cages across the country, Steve Henderson has preached to his Phillies hitters. Hunt the fastball, the hitting coach said. A hitter is not established in the majors until he can handle a fastball, and the Phillies are full of unestablished hitters.
They clobbered five hits Saturday in the five-run first inning of a 8-0 romp over Miami at Citizens Bank Park. All five of the hits were on Jose Urena fastballs. Cesar Hernandez singled. Odubel Herrera doubled. Tommy Joseph singled. Maikel Franco doubled. A.J. Ellis cleared the bases with another double.
The game, less than 30 minutes old, was over.