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Phillies

A suit at stake for Maikel Franco in Sunday's finale

    by Jake Kaplan
    Published 

On the line for the Phillies in Sunday's season finale is the ignominy that comes with losing 100 games in a season.

On the line for their promising young third baseman, in particular, is a brand new suit.

Veteran outfielder Jeff Francoeur told Maikel Franco earlier in the season that if the rookie hit 15 home runs he would buy him a new suit. Any suit of Franco's choosing, no matter how nice or how expensive.

Franco enters Sunday with 14 home runs after his fourth-inning solo shot on Saturday night, when he made his first start in almost two months. He had been sidelined since Aug. 11 with a fractured left wrist.

"He hit the home run and he had the biggest smile on his face," Francoeur said after Saturday's game. " 'One more, Papi.' "

Franco smiled later when asked about his and Francoeur's deal. The Phillies on Sunday oppose Marlins lefthander Adam Conley, who Franco has yet to face.

"One more," Franco said. "I will try the best I can. I will try hard (Sunday)."

Franco's 14 home runs have come over 301 at-bats. He comes into Sunday batting .279 with an .839 OPS. His long ball on Saturday came on a first-pitch curveball from lefthander Justin Nicolino. He will try to replicate it Sunday, and at the same time improve his road trip wardrobe for next season.