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Thursday, May 15, 2008
Howard Goes Yard

Ryan Howard crushed a solo homer to center field in the third inning tonight against the Braves to hand the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

Howard has a seven-game hitting streak in which he is hitting .286 (8 for 28) with a double, triple, three home runs and six RBIs. His first two homers in that streak went to left field, which is something he often did when he won the NL MVP in 2006. Howard hit 58 homers that season, with 28 of them going to the opposite field to lead the majors.

It's too early to say he's out of his slump.

But it's certainly a step in the right direction.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 10:58 PM  Permalink | 7 comments
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Comments
Posted by Truth 08:05 AM, 05/16/2008
Amazing--No props for the "big man". If Utley were still hitting YOU golden boy lovers would be going crazy! InsteadUtley was the only Phillie not to get a hit last night. THE SLUMP IS OVER!
Posted by Leron 08:14 AM, 05/16/2008
Howard, as usual, will hit 45+ HRs and drive in 140+. So he had a bad April. BIG FRIGGIN DEAL. Thome was a notorious slow starter.
Posted by bobby 08:28 AM, 05/16/2008
This was more than a slow start. Howard's April (and almost half of May) was brutal and he clearly let it get inside his head. Let's hope this past week is the start of him getting back on track. No coincidence that his improved performance matches up almost exactly with the return of Jimmy Rollins. The core group of this team is now together, and playing well. Ryan should feel less pressure and be able to swing the bat like his old self. Go Phils!
Posted by jimmymack 08:44 AM, 05/16/2008
When the slump IS over, we will all be more than happy to give Ryan his props. This team can't win without him. He has earned all the criticism he has received, just as Utley has earned his accolades. But as Bobby pointed out, he has been brutal so far, while the "golden boy" and Burrell carried the team. I hope Ryan hits 50 and drives in 130 runs, but I'll get excited about his season when he finally breaks the Mendoza line.
Posted by Norma 11:28 AM, 05/16/2008
I'm going to disagree with Zo here And AGREE with Truth!!!! I think the *slump* is over. Just cause he's not hitting them out of the park every at-bat, doesn't mean he's not on a roll. He's got a 7 game hitting strak going. And homered in 3 of the last 5 games.
Posted by Truth 11:48 AM, 05/16/2008
Thx Norma.
Posted by Norma 12:25 PM, 05/16/2008
'welcome, Truth.
7 comments
About Todd Zolecki
Todd Zolecki is in his sixth season covering the Phillies. Born and raised in Milwaukee – he suffered through the Packers’ crushing loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field in January – he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a journalism degree.