John Mallee

By Todd Zolecki MLB.com @ToddZolecki

Apr. 11th, 2018

PHILADELPHIA — Maybe J.P. Crawford is figuring out a few things at the plate.

Crawford crushed a two-run home run into the second deck in right field in the second inning in Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory over the Reds in 12 innings at Citizens Bank Park. Crawford turned on a 0-2 fastball from Reds right-hander Luis Castillo, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead. It was the first homer of Crawford’s career.

The ball left Crawford’s bat at 105.2 mph, according to Statcast™.

“I don’t really remember it,” Crawford said, smiling. “I kind of blacked out. But it felt good. I felt short, quick to the ball and put a good barrel on it.”

Crawford, who the got the ball, opened the season in a 1-for-25 slump before ripping a go-ahead single with two outs in the seventh inning in Tuesday night’s 6-1 victory. He has spent the past several days trying to shorten his swing.

“Me and [hitting coach John] Mallee have been putting in a lot of work in the cages before the game to prepare,” Crawford said. “Just to finally see some results, it’s a good feeling.”

Crawford’s sacrifice bunt in the 12th inning also advanced Pedro Florimon to third base, setting up the game-winning run when Scott Kingery hit a sacrifice fly to right field.