PHILADELPHIA _ Odubel Herrera slid headfirst into third base, helmet covering his eyes, and slapped the bag with his right hand.
In the language of Herrera histrionics, it was a sign that things were going well for the Phillies.
Herrera delivered the difference-making hit _ a triple in the eighth inning _ Friday night in the Phillies' 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After seven innings in which neither team generated much offense in bone-chilling cold and blustery wind, Herrera sliced a ball down the right-field line against Pirates reliever George Kontos. Cesar Hernandez scored easily from third base while Herrera dashed around the bases.
Three weeks ago, Herrera wasn't in the lineup on Opening Day, with manager Gabe Kapler citing matchups as a reason to keep him on the bench. But the dynamic center fielder has reemerged as nothing less than the Phillies' catalyst, batting in the No. 3 spot in a lineup that has hit just enough to support a starting rotation that has been consistently strong.
Ben Lively took his turn in that rotation Friday night and turned in his best outing in four starts this season. Lively held the Pirates to one run on a sixth-inning sacrifice fly. He gave up five hits and three walks and was the beneficiary of slick defense. First baseman Carlos Santana made a leaping grab of a Josh Bell line drive in the fifth inning, and second baseman Hernandez ranged into the hole to make a play on a grounder up the middle in the seventh.
Phillies starters have allowed three runs or fewer in 10 consecutive games and have a collective 3.05 ERA, best in the National League.
The Phillies are 7-1 at Citizens Bank Park, their best start at home since they won seven of their first eight games at Veterans Stadium in 1981.
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