Phillips credits health for hitting renaissance

PITTSBURGH — The catalyst for Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips’ extended offensive surge could be less about hitting mechanics or adjustments and more about orthotics and healthy doses of both fear and comfort.

Phillips, who hit his 10th home run of the season in Friday’s 4-3 Reds victory over the Pirates, entered Saturday batting .348 with four homers and 17 RBIs over his last 30 games. He was hitting .335 in 48 games since July 6.

“It’s just getting healthy, just feeling better,” Phillips said. “The thing that really was the problem was my foot. A lot of people didn’t really know about that thing that happened to me in Milwaukee. I have special orthotics I’m wearing right now and it really helped me a lot. When you can feel your lower half, a lot of things can really happen.”

On May 29 at Miller Park, Phillips jammed his left foot and ankle into a concrete wall under the padding while making a sliding catch into a wall on a foul pop.

“Now my toe looks crooked. It looks like Billy Hamilton’s toes,” Phillips joked.

Phillips, 35, has endured several nagging injuries this season, but hasn’t …

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