Phillies' Perkins makes opening statement at the plate

Cameron Perkins went 2 for 2 with a home run in the Phillies Grapefruit League opener.CLEARWATER, Fla. - Cameron Perkins has at least one thing in common with Phillies manager Pete Mackanin: a strong dislike for batting gloves. Perhaps that will be enough to sway the manager later this spring when he makes the final decisions on his opening day roster.

Perkins, who bats barehanded like Mackanin did during his career, will use any advantage he can to carve out a role as an extra outfielder after spending last season in triple A. He put forth a strong opening statement on Friday, going 2 for 2 with a home run as the Phillies began Grapefruit League play with a 9-4 loss to the Yankees. The…