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Surging Howard provides boost to Phils’ lineup
- Updated: August 19, 2016
PHILADELPHIA — When Ryan Howard is swinging the bat well, it can “make a world of difference,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Thursday.
A surging Howard played a big role in the Phillies’ come-from-behind, 5-4 win over the Dodgers. The 36-year-old first baseman hit his fifth homer in nine games, and his bat played a role in Maikel Franco’s go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning.
Franco crushed a pitch off Dodgers lefty Grant Dayton, who Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts wanted in the game to face the left-handed-hitting Howard, the next hitter. It was the 22nd homer of the year for Franco, who entered the game with a slugging percentage 100 points higher against lefties than right-handers this season.
“It’s huge, when you have that presence in the lineup swinging the bat like he is,” Mackanin said of Howard.
Franco’s …
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