Rollins fourth Phillie to reach 2,000-hit plateau

CINCINNATI -- Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins lined a double off Reds starter Mat Latos in the fifth inning of Tuesday night's game at Great American Ball Park for the 2,000th hit of his Major League career.

Rollins became just the fourth Phillies player to reach the 2,000-hit mark, joining Mike Schmidt (2,234), Rich Ashburn (2,217) and Ed Delahanty (2,207). That trio is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

"That's pretty cool," Rollins said after a 2-1 loss to the Reds. "But I still have work to do."

The 33-year-old Rollins is already the franchise's all-time leader in hits as a switch-hitter, and according to Elias Sports Bureau, he's the 30th switch-hitter to reach the 2,000-hit mark.

"That's big. Jimmy's career speaks for itself and the position that he plays and everything like that," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "If you look at his run production and stolen bases and everything like that and his defense, his career definitely jumps out at you like a lot of big Hall of Fame and big star players in the game. It's right there in front of you."

Rollins hit the game-winning home run in Monday night's contest for hit No. 1,999 and was 0-for-2 on Tuesday before lining the double past first base and down the right-field line.

Despite the milestone hit, after the game Rollins had only one thing on his mind -- his next 1,000 hits.

"It's great, but 3,000 is better," Rollins said with a smile. 'That's the one that's celebrated. It's another milestone in a career, but it's not the one that's celebrated.

"It's not just another hit, but it's just another hit. You know what I'm saying? I have some years left, so hopefully I'll get it rather soon."