Cameron Rupp's homer clocked at 108 mph
Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp recorded 21 two-hit games before having the first three-hit performance of his career Sunday in a 5-0 win over the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp recorded 21 two-hit games before having the first three-hit performance of his career Sunday in a 5-0 win over the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
Rupp went 3 for 4 with an opposite-field homer to right in the second, a line drive that opened the scoring.
"It was nice to finally get that - it took a little bit," Rupp said of his three-hit game. "I felt good at the plate and saw the ball well and got some good swings."
Getting good swings has been common for Rupp, now hitting .274. His second home run of the season had an exit velocity of 108 mph, according to MLB Statcast. He also had a fifth-inning single clocked at 109 mph.
According to the Phillies, Rupp continues to lead all major-league players this season in average exit velocity of batted balls in play (96 mph).
He has bounced back after suffering a left ankle injury in the Phillies' 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on May 14. Rupp held onto Tyler Goeddel's throw, survived a crash at the plate and tagged out the Reds' Eugeno Suarez to end the game.
He missed the next three games, but in the three games since he has returned, Rupp is 6 for 11 with the home run and 3 RBIs.
Rupp concedes that he is not 100 percent yet, but he said the injury hasn't affected his play and the statistics bear that out.
"I didn't really lose a step and I am not going to be stealing bases any time soon," he said with a smile. "I feel OK and I am able to play on it and perform."
Asche joins Reading
Phillies leftfielder Cody Asche, who began the season on the disabled list with a strained rib case muscle, had his rehab assignment transferred from single-A Clearwater to double-A Reading.
Asche, 25, played five games for Clearwater, batting .167 with a home run and two RBIs. Last May, he moved from third base to left field. Ashe hit .245 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs in 425 at-bats last season.
Pitching matchups
The Phillies begin a three-game series in Detroit, with all six starting pitchers being righthanders. Vince Velasquez (5-1, 2.42 ERA) faces the Tigers' Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.49) on Monday. Tuesday's matchup has Jeremy Hellickson (4-2, 3.99) against Justin Verlander (3-4, 4.58). The Wednesday series finale has Aaron Nola (3-3, 2.85) against Anibal Sanchez (3-5. 6.23).