Carlos Ruiz, who was having a career season in 2012 and made his first All-Star game was suspended 25 games for using a banned stimulant, Adderall, last season. His ban has finally been lifted, and the man they call "Chooch" in Philadelphia made his 2013 debut for a Phillies club that can use his offense.
Ruiz' numbers last year were impressive--.325 batting average, 16 home runs, 68 RBI, .935 on-base plus slugging percentage. He will be a welcome addition to a Philadelphia batting order that hasn't been terrible, but also has not been too powerful. The Phillies rank 10th in the National League in home runs (20), ninth in runs (98), and 11th in OPS (.687).
Ruiz batted fifth Sunday, and went 1-for-4, socking his first double of the season. "I feel like I had very good at-bats today and made good contact, so that was big for me," Ruiz said. "I feel great. For me, that's very important. Now I'm here and I'm going to help every day."
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel called Ruiz a "big player in our lineup." That fact is evident in the numbers; Erik Kratz spent the majority of Philadelphia's games at catcher during Ruiz' absence and in his place Kratz has batted .191 with two home runs and only seven RBI.
One of the Phillies' aces Cole Hamels, Sunday's starting pitcher, was very pleased to have his favorite battery mate back behind the plate. "It's huge. He's been our leader," Hamels said. "Just kind of excited to have him back. Just to kind of make our lineup feel more complete I think is huge."
Hamels went six innings and despite walking six batters, he struck out eight and only surrendered two hits. Hamels got his first win of the season, improving his record to 1-3.
Backup catcher Humberto Quintero was sent back to the minors to make room for Ruiz on the big league roster.
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