Burrell's bat hot to start contract year

PHILADELPHIA -- It could be a coincidence that Pat Burrell's torrid start to this season also comes at the same time Burrell's five-year, $50 million contract is set to expire.

Regardless of the circumstances, Burrell continues to carry the Phillies along with Chase Utley, who was named National League Player of the Month for April.

Burrell put an exclamation point on his opening month with a game-winning, two-run homer off Brian Wilson to propel the Phillies past the Giants, 6-5, in 10 innings Friday night. It was Burrell's third career walk-off home run and his first since '02.

Is playing for a new contract a factor?

"If that helps, that's good," manager Charlie Manuel said. "If it's there, go get it. The better he plays, the better I do. I think that [contract] could have something to do with it, but Pat definitely works hard and he's maturing, too. Sometimes, you don't really come into your own until your late 20s or early 30s.

"I think you learn more about your hitting and he's always had the talent to be a real good hitter. I think the experience comes into play."
With a second-inning double Sunday, the 31-year-old Burrell has reached base safely in 30 straight games and 31 of 32. He's close to equaling his career high of reaching base safely in 34 straight games in '02. Entering Sunday, Burrell was second in the NL in homers (nine) and RBIs (28), third in slugging percentage (.670), fourth in walks (24) and on-base percentage (.445) and tied for seventh in total bases (69).

Burrell is hitting .320 while spraying the ball all over the field. That was especially evident when he slammed a two-run shot to right in the eighth inning of what wound up being a big come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Astros on April 15.

"This is the best I've seen because he's hitting more balls to right field," Manuel said. "He's got a better setup and has got a little rhythm going. His swing is powerful. This is the best I've seen him hit."

(mlb.com)