Rollins finally erupts for Phils

Jimmy Rollins stood on second base, his trademark smile visible from the press box, as 46,099 Phillies fans proudly chanted, “J-Roll, J-Roll, J-Roll.” It had been five weeks since Rollins had notched a two-hit game. It only felt like an eternity.

Rollins, who hadn’t had a multi-hit game since Sept. 8, went 2-for-3 with four RBIs last night and helped lead the Phillies to a 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

They’ll head to San Francisco tomorrow for Game 3, with a chance to take a 2-1 NLCS lead when Cole Hamels takes the mound against Matt Cain.

The struggling shortstop entered last night 1-for-15 through four postseason games. Even Charlie Manuel was starting to raise doubts. The Phillies manager told reporters that he had considered moving Rollins up or possibly down in the lineup. In the end, however, Manuel left him in the No. 6 spot, right behind Jayson Werth.

“I like Jimmy down there, where he’s at right now,” Manuel said. “At times I’ve seen things that show me that he’s getting better.”

No one knows Rollins better than Manuel. In the seventh inning, with the bases loaded, Rollins doubled to deep right missing a grand slam by mere inches and blew open a 3-1 game. Chase Utley, Placido Polanco and Jayson Werth all touched home to put the Phillies up 6-1.