In first start, Hernandez collects first two hits

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies rookie second baseman Cesar Hernandez made his first big league start Thursday against the Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park.

The rationale into that decision?

"I said I was going to play him, didn't I?" manager Charlie Manuel said before the game. "If he gets some knocks tonight, I'll probably like him a lot more."

Hernandez notched his first career hit, a single in the first inning of a 9-2 loss, then added another single in the eighth and finished 2-for-4.

Hernandez is on the 25-man roster while Michael Young is on the bereavement list. Young left the team Wednesday. It is unknown when he will be back, but he must miss a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven.