At new position, Galvis settling in nicely

PHILADELPHIA --- The questions about whether Freddy Galvis was ready to hit Major League pitching have been quelled.

Since starting his career 0-for-12, Galvis has heated up. Starting at second base for Chase Utley while he continues to rehab his left knee, Galvis is hitting .260 since his slow start and has a .300 average in May. In his past five games, the 22-year-old Venezuelan is 8-for-18 (.444) with four of his 11 extra-base hits.

Galvis is third on the team with 15 RBIs, behind only right fielder Hunter Pence and catcher Carlos Ruiz.

From his usual eighth spot in the lineup, Galvis went 3-for-4 with two RBIs in Monday's 5-1 win against the Astros.

Taking the advice of manager Charlie Manuel, Galvis said he's trying to be more relaxed at the plate. Manuel said after Monday's game that Galvis had previously been a little anxious. He is now slowing his body down during his swing.

"He was hitting fly balls mostly because he was digging under," Manuel said. "Right now, like [Monday], he had a good night where he popped some balls."

Though playing second base is new to him -- he came up through the system as a shortstop -- Galvis has played great defense. He's second in baseball with a .875 zone rating, which measures a player's efficiency in fielding ground balls hit to his position, and he said he feels like he's "been playing second base for a long time."

"I just try to do my job, try to play for the team," Galvis said. "I just try to play hard every day."