Phillips' birthday gets boost from Reds' win over Indians

The 28-year-old second baseman snaps out of slump with 3 hits and 3 RBIs as the Reds finish interleague play at 6-9.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips jokes with teammates during an interleague baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Cleveland. Phillips broke out of a 1-for-16 slump with three hits, three runs and three RBIs on his 28th birthday to lead the Reds to an 8-1 win over Cleveland.

Mark Duncan/STF Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips jokes with teammates during an interleague baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Cleveland. Phillips broke out of a 1-for-16 slump with three hits, three runs and three RBIs on his 28th birthday to lead the Reds to an 8-1 win over Cleveland.

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 8:03 AM Monday, June 29, 2009

The Cincinnati Reds completed the interleague portion of their 2009 schedule by rocking the Cleveland Indians (Cleveland doesn’t rock on the baseball field), 8-1, in Progressive Field.

Despite that crescendo finish to interleague play, Reds manager Dusty Baker is happy to have it over with and if they would do away with interleague play forever Baker would applaud until his palms bled.

The Reds were 6-9 against the American League, 3-6 on the road, where the designated hitter is used.

Said Baker, when asked if he would miss interleague play, “No. I’m glad it’s over. You enjoy going to other ballparks and different cities.

“But I knew when it started that interleague play would have a big effect on how you end up in the season. A big effect. You have one-tenth of your season in interleague play.”

And with the 6-9 record, Baker said, “That’s where we lost most of our ground, interleague play.”

On Saturday, after the Reds beat the Indians, 7-3, and Joey Votto had two hits, Baker said, “Now we have Votto back and hitting, we need to get Brandon Phillips going.”

Phillips was 1 for 16 and 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position after Saturday’s game, but he quickly rectified that on Sunday, his 28th birthday. He launched the Reds to victory in the third inning with a two-out, two-run single on a 3-and-2 count.

“It was my birthday?” said Phillips. “Just another blessed day to me.” When somebody asked about his struggles, he said, “I’ve been struggling? Really? Since when? Any positive questions? It was good to do something positive on my birthday, especially against a team I used to play for, and it was very important to the team. We should have swept ‘em, but we’ll take two out of three.”

For the day he had three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored as the once hit-starved Reds feasted on Indians pitching — 15 hits Sunday after 13 hits on Saturday.

Maybe Phillips should have asked his manager if he was struggling?

“We had some guys swing the bat good who hadn’t been hot, especially Brandon, who has been struggling some and came through with some big RBI hits. Especially in RBI situations because the ballgame was still on the line then.”

The beneficiary Sunday was starting pitcher Micah Owings, who won for only the second time in nine starts, despite walking four, hitting a batter and giving up five hits in six innings — but only one run.

“Micah threw the ball well and we got him out of those first two-inning struggles, like he always does,” said Baker. “He settled down and got out of jams he created with those walks.”

Ramon Hernandez, another guy locked in a slump, also had three hits and drove in two runs. But he loves Cleveland pitching — 9-for-18 this year with four RBIs, good enough to win the Outstanding Player trophy for the Ohio Cup, won by the Reds four games to two.

“I knew there was something going on between these two teams, but I didn’t know what it was,” said Hernandez of the Ohio Cup. “But the award is very cool and I’m excited.”

He was excited on his last at bat, too, needing a home run to complete the cycle after a triple, double and single. His first swing in the ninth inning was so hard baseball caps on fans in the right field stands blew off. Hernandez laughed and said, “I tried, man. I was really trying.” He flied to deep right.

“We’ll enjoy an off day at home (today) and we’re finally done with the American Leage and we’re back to our own league (Arizona for three) then back into our own division (St. Louis this weekend),” said Baker.

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