The Official Site of Chase Utley

Thu, May 14th 2009, 09:58

Utley talks hitting streaks

THE 30-GAME hit streak of Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman came to an end yesterday afternoon in Washington’s 6-3 win over the Giants, meaning he will not eclipse either Chase Utley’s 35-game streak in 2006 – tied for 10th all time – or Jimmy Rollins’ 38-game effort in 2005-06, which is the eighth longest in major league history.

But it also means there will be a big weight off of Zimmerman’s shoulders when the Phillies travel to Washington this weekend. Utley says he can relate.

“It’s pretty much impossible to keep it out of your mind,” said Utley, whose streak ran from June 23 to Aug. 3. “But I don’t think it really changes, it shouldn’t change, your approach or the way you prepare for a game.”

How intimidating is a hit streak? Centerfielder Shane Victorino said the stretch he put together earlier this season weighed on his mind, even though it ended at “only” 16 games.

How does a player whose hit streak reaches 30 block it out?

“I’m sure you don’t,” Victorino said. “I know I didn’t, even though I only had 15 games. Still, you want to keep it going. It’s in your head: ‘I got a hit streak going.’ “

Utley kept silent during his streak, at times declining to even acknowledge questions about it.

“It was a daily thing that you knew you were going to be asked about, so it was definitely in the back of your mind,” said the second baseman, who hit .405 with nine home runs and 30 RBI during his streak, “but that didn’t take away from the fact that you still had to prepare. You still have to try to figure out a way to help the team win.”

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