Phillies 2B Utley homers in first at-bat of season
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Chase Utley homered in his first at-bat of the season after the Philadelphia Phillies slugger missed the first 76 games because of a chronic problem in both knees.
Utley connected on a 2-2 pitch from Pittsburgh right-hander James McDonald in the first inning. Carlos Ruiz followed with a homer to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.
A five-time All-Star at second base, Utley received a standing ovation during pregame introductions and when he came to the plate. He was mobbed by teammates in the dugout after circling the bases and came out for a curtain call.
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Utley sat out the first 46 games last year before returning to have the least productive season of his career. He batted .259 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs.