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Franco hits first homer as Phillies win fifth straight

Maikel Franco sped around the bases Sunday afternoon before slowing to a crawl as he approached home plate at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies rookie's first home run had sailed over the left-field fence to punctuate a 6-0 win over Arizona. It was a moment to savor.

Maikel Franco raises his arms after hitting an RBI triple. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Maikel Franco raises his arms after hitting an RBI triple. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

Maikel Franco sped around the bases Sunday afternoon before slowing to a crawl as he approached home plate at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies rookie's first home run had sailed over the left-field fence to punctuate a 6-0 win over Arizona. It was a moment to savor.

The third baseman blessed himself and pointed to the sky as his cleat toed the plate. He said it felt great - something, Franco said, he wants to continue. Manager Ryne Sandberg said it was good for Franco to get the homer out of the way.

The win was the Phillies' fifth straight, their longest winning streak since July. A win on Monday in Colorado would give the Phillies their first six-game winning streak since 2012.

Franco started his third straight game since being promoted Friday morning from triple A. The 22-year-old finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a pair of runs.

"My team is playing very good right now. I came in at a good moment," Franco said. "I'm happy for that and I just want to continue to prove myself and help my team."

Sean O'Sullivan earned his first win since May 12, 2011. The righthander said he did not know it had been that long until he read about it on the team's website after his last start. O'Sullivan had spent most of the last three seasons in the minors. He pitched six scoreless innings and allowed five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. O'Sullivan did not allow a homer for the first time this season.

His performance was nearly spoiled when the pitcher was hit in the throat by catcher Cameron Rupp's throw to the mound.

O'Sullivan was looking toward first base when Rupp tossed him the ball. Sandberg said it was a rocket. O'Sullivan could hardly breathe. The pitcher managed to retrieve the ball and not allow the two base runners to advance. O'Sullivan was checked by Sandberg and the team trainer. The pitcher said he was fine. He retired the final batter of the inning. O'Sullivan said his father sent him pictures of the play. The pitcher joked that it would make the blooper reels.

Freddy Galvis, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, and Chase Utley were left out of the lineup. Cesar Hernandez, who replaced Galvis at shortstop, slapped a pair of doubles. Rupp drove in his first RBI of the season while filling in for Ruiz. Darin Ruf replaced Howard and hit his third homer of the season.

Ruf also scored in the sixth inning on a triple by Franco. The third baseman crushed a cut fastball to left-center, the farthest part of the park. It rocked off the metal fence above the padding, just six inches from going out. Franco had to settle for his first major-league triple. He thought he hit the triple better than his homer, which came two innings later.

Ruiz greeted Franco after the game by smashing a towel full of shaving cream in his face. It was the rookie's second dose in less than a week. His triple-A teammates did the same to celebrate one of Franco's final minor-league games. Instead of packing for upstate New York, Franco packed his bag after this celebration for a cross-country, major-league road trip. His first weekend was great, Franco said, adding that he was "so happy."

His left cheek, still lathered in shaving cream, said the same.

BY THE NUMBERS

8

Pitches it took Ken Giles to get through the eighth inning.

4

Years since Sean O'Sullivan's last big-league win.

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