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Galvis hits homer to lead Phillies past Pittsburgh

By Associated Press 3 min read

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Freddy Galvis has a handwritten note stuck on his locker reminding him to keep the ball out of the air.

There's no signature. It's simply inscribed "#No. 20."

Even Mike Schmidt (yes, The No. 20) could agree that if Galvis does put the ball in the air, it may as well soar out of the park.

Galvis continued his home run surge, hitting his 19th of the season to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Galvis connected on a two-run shot in the second inning off Steven Brault (0-3) for his 10th homer in the last 32 games. Known more as a defensive whiz since taking over for Jimmy Rollins at shortstop, Galvis has been a bright spot offensively for the Phillies. He already has career highs in doubles, homers, extra-base hits, RBIs and stolen bases, though his .239 average and .271 on-base percentage need considerable improvement.

"I don't know if I'm surprised," he said. "All I know is, I put in a good workout in my offseason and worked really hard to prove I could play baseball every day."

Tommy Joseph hit his 19th homer for the Phillies. Jeanmar Gomez got the final two outs of the ninth for his 37th save.

Brault allowed nine hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings. He remained winless in seven career starts.

The Phillies got a rare boost on the mound from righty Jake Thompson (2-5). Thompson, who won for the first time since Aug. 12, allowed six hits and two runs over six solid innings.

Andrew McCutchen hit his 21st homer for the Pirates.

STRIKEOUTS ARE BORING

Double-A Reading OF Dylan Cozens won the 2016 Joe Bauman award as minor league baseball's home run champion with 40. The award is named for Bauman, who set a professional record in 1954 with 72 home runs for the Roswell Rockets of the Class-C Longhorn League.

OPENING UP

The 2017 schedule was released on Wednesday. The Pirates will open April 3-6 at Boston in their first trip there since 2005. The Phillies open the season April 3 at Cincinnati.

FLASH A SIGN

Former Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, traded last month to the Dodgers, thanked fans with a sign of appreciation on a billboard off I-95. The billboard read: "I loved playing for you. You will always be in my heart. Thank you, Philly! – Chooch"

STREAK SNAPPED

Phillies LF Tyler Goeddel singled in the second inning to snap an 0-for-21 streak.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Chad Kuhl (3-3, 4.09 ERA) will make his 11th career start. He's lost each of his last three decisions, though the Pirates have won seven of his 10 starts.

Phillies: RHP Jerad Eickhoff (10-13, 3.73 ERA) has pitched six innings in each of his last five starts and six of seven overall.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

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