It was as crystal clear as a perfectly, cobalt blue sky on a warm summer day.

Brett Myers had already struck out the first two batters of the inning when Hanley Ramirez, one of the scariest offensive threats in baseball, stepped to the plate.

But Myers retired the talented Marlins lead-off hitter with a pair of back door fastballs on the outside corner. If striking out the side wasn't enough of a clue, and finishing it off with Ramirez, Myers did a small but significant, celebratory skip as he trotted down from the mound.

In a game where confidence is as important as skill, Myers was feeling very good about himself again. If he goes on to enjoy a successful, turnaround season, that sequence - striking out Ramirez - should be circled on everyone's score books as the moment things finally began to click for Myers.

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THE ARCHIVE FILES

The game story from last night highlights that watershed moment, along with the same old, same old - the Phils' offense is apparently pretty good.

In the notes, the top two second baseman in baseball, at least through 8 weeks, are on display at Citizens Bank Park this weekend. Phils skipper Charlie Manuel threw some very high praise on his own second sacker.


From Thursday's off-day -- the Phils have been baseball's best team in the pinch, led by the unconscious Greg Dobbs.

Sounds familiar, huh?

Rockies. Phillies. Sweep.

The first playoff appearance in 14 years ended seven months ago for the Phillies when the Rockies sent them home in three games.

In '08, the Rockies can't beat the Phillies. The two teams wrapped up their regular season schedule against each other Wednesday night when the Phillies rolled to a 6-1 win.

But as Chase Utley told me afterward, "it's totally different."

Of course it is - the Phillies went 5-0 against the Rockies during the regular season this year, but all of those games were played before Father's Day. The Rockies won three, slightly more important games last fall over the Phils.

The Phils also scoffed at any "revenge" or "redemption" story lines. Of course it makes it more fun for fans and us journalist-types if someone like Jimmy Rollins says, "We're going to get come payback."

But the reality is each game and opponent, which the exception of divisional foes, are equal, 1/162 of the long, grueling season. You want to beat everyone, regardless of what's happened in the past.

Right now, the Phillies aren't beating everyone, but they're doing pretty well. They're a season-high seven games above .500 and they are 22-14 since beginning the season 8-10.

The Phils are actually two one-run losses in Houston from having an eight-game winning streak. (Charlie Manuel has mentioned those two losses more than a couple times in the last few days).

Up next? The Marlins, who fell to the Mets in extra innings tonight.

Florida has a half-game lead on the Phils for the early fight for first place. It's only May, so the standings now have little consequence on the season as a whole.

Still, you have to get a little juiced up for a weekend of Fish-Phils baseball - both teams are playing well and pounding the stitching off the baseball.

You know all about Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, but one, more obscure Marlin could be one to watch this weekend. Outfielder Cody Ross has homered eight times in the last 13 games.

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The Archive Files

Adam Eaton collects his first win and Chase Utley supplies the offense in the Phils' fourth straight win.

In the notebook, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle praises the play of Delco product Taylor Buchholz, Pat Burrell points a finger at his dog, and more.

From Tuesday's game, the Phillies kept their offense churning early and Kyle Kendrick took advantage.

In Tuesday's notes, an update on Kris Benson, who pitched in an extended spring training game.

Minutes before Tuesday night's Phils-Rockies game, it was announced that Pat Burrell was scratched from the starting lineup.

Greg Dobbs is playing left field and batting in the fifth spot.

Burrell apparently has a stiff neck. We'll try to find out more in the post-game.

Nothing new to report from the pregame media chat with Charlie and the crew.... tonight's lineup is pretty much the most popular lineup this year (at least when Rollins wasn't hurt).

Rollins
Victorino
Utley
Howard
Burrell
Jenkins
Feliz
Ruiz
Kendrick

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What a great night to take off!

While sitting on a couch in Avalon (it was nice to chill out at the shore for a day that began in Houston at 3 a.m.) I was wondering if a couple of those innings would ever end.

And it was oddly similar to the Phils previous game -- batting around twice in multiple games.

It looks like Chase Utley's "slump" is over. In a month that's seen his average drop from .364 to .303, Utley went 4-for-11 with two home runs and nine RBIs in the last two Phillies routs.

You have to imagine this offense slows down sometime soon. As good as it can be, they can't keep scoring more than a dozen runs a game.

Although I'm sure their pitchers won't mind...

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The Archive Files

Jerry Crawford is fine. Sorry I didn't update since my last post, which was all about the Delco native umpire getting injured.

Hopefully you read all about Crawford's bout with Carlos Lee's bat in Monday's paper. Here it is, in the notebook from Houston.

In today's paper, you can read about Ryan Howard's progress of late (this story is actually by Daily Times sports editor Rob Parent, not me (although that's what the byline reads.) Howard has kind of been up and down from my own viewpoint - he'll homer one day, finish 0-for-4 the next.

There's also Monday's game story, also from Parent.

If you want to read all about the first blowout win, on Sunday in Houston where Shane Victorino was vindicated, you can find it here.

Almost forgot - DCT's Chris Vito caught up with Colorado's Taylor Buchholz, a Delco product, who is having an influence on the local prep scene.

Okay... we're all updated. Time to get to work...

In the top of the first inning in Houston, the Phillies game has been delayed for five minutes (going on 10)... Facing a 2-2 count from Cole Hamels, Houston slugger Carlos Lee hit homeplate umpire and Delaware County native Jerry Crawford on his back swing.

Crawford nearly fell down, and slowly walked to the Astros dugout holding his head.

Crawford did not lose consciousness... but he did not return to the game.

On the second pitch after play resumed, Lee launched a three-run home run to left field to put the Astros up 3-0 and snap Hamels' career-high 19-inning scoreless streak.

So the good folks at Minute Maid Park, maybe the best place to work among ballparks this year, once again had a great pre-game spread for the media contingent.

Breakfast at the ballpark - with a kind fella making up omelets - is pretty good stuff on the last day of a road trip. But in the irony of ironies... no orange juice.

Yup, no orange juice at Minute Maid Park.

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Cole Hamels will take the mound shortly with a chance to go three straight games without allowing a run. That's pretty impressive.

Then again, Hamels is one of the best pitchers in the league. With the way Brett Myers id going, you could probably make the argument that Hamels is the most indispensable player on the Phillies.

The Phillies have survived without the services of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins at different times in the last 12 months. If Brad Lidge were to go down, they could probably move Myers back to the pen and find a starter anywhere who could give them what Myers is currently giving them.

But without Hamels, this team could be toast.

I was just reading Jayson Stark's latest column on ESPN.com - this is required reading, by the way, as no writer has a better handle on the Phillies - and this is what a unnamed scout told Stark:

"Hamels probably has better stuff than (Johan) Santana," the scout said, "because he's got a better breaking ball. The only thing that's keeping Cole Hamels from being a premium, premium guy is health."

Hamels has thrown 19 straight shutout innings entering Sunday. The way he's going, no one would be shocked if that number turns into 28.

Then again, he has to get through Lance Berkman a few times... and Berkman is hotter at the plate right now than Hamels is on the mound.

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The Archive Files

Brett Myers wasn't perfect, but the Phillies offense was punchless in a defeat to the Astros Saturday that included a wild finish - the Phils had runners on second and third with no outs, but failed to score a run.

Talk about not hitting with runners in scoring position...



In the Sunday notes column, the Florida Marlins, who the Phils will play for the first time this season on Friday, are in first place - and who woulda thunk that? Also updates on the white-hot Delco native Taylor Buchholz (who is also in town this week), and more, including your weekly dose of trivia.

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The Sunday YouTube Clip of the Week

This is an oldie but a goodie... and it has no relation to anything going on right now.

Still, it's well done. Unless your a Red Sox fan.

In light of Pedro Feliz's line drive that caromed off the glove of Astros closer Jose Valverde before it deflected off his cheekbone on Friday, a lot of the pregame talk Saturday centered around the danger a pitcher is in on the mound.

Feliz felt terrible - not that he could control where the ball was headed.

But don't think a batter never has control in such a situation. Just check out the story Charlie Manuel told the media before Saturday night's game at Minute Maid Park.

"I was playing Double-A baseball and there was a (pitcher) who liked to knock guys down... I was hitting good... I was the third hitter in the lineup. And he knocked me down. And you know how you get back up mad and real ticked off?

I got back up...I knew he threw a changeup, and I said (to myself), he’s gonna throw a change up right here. So I said, I’m going to try to hit this ball back right off his head.

I ended up hitting the ball (back at him) and the ball shot into center field and a guy named Sweet Pea Davis picked it up. That’s a true story.

I was trying to hit it back, to tell you the truth. I hit it right off his head."


Manuel told another tale of when he played in Japan and sent a line drive that broke the collarbone of a left-handed pitcher. The pitcher missed nearly two years recovering from the injury.

And what did the pitcher do when he was healthy again? He beaned Manuel.

Although the benches didn't clear, a running match between big Charlie Manuel and the little, skinny lefty ensued, with the Japanese pitcher running for cover...

"He ran into our dugout," Manuel said.

"My manager told me he said, 'You tell Charlie he's already scared.'

I told him him, 'If you don't get out of the way, I'm going to knock the hell out of you.'

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The Archive Files

Adam Eaton takes a big step forward in the Phillies defeat Friday.

In the notebook, Jayson Werth's oblique strain earns him a trip on the DL.

Following the Phillies 4-3 loss to the Astros Friday night, Jayson Werth was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain.

Werth suffered the injury when he swung awkwardly at a pitch Thursday night.

Outfielder T.J. Bohn was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Werth's spot on the 25-man roster. Werth was hitting .260 and was fourth on the team with 9 home runs and 26 RBIs.

Jayson Werth was a defensive replacement in Thursday night's 7-5 Phillies win - but his stay on the field didn't last long, as he left with a strained oblique after a bad swing in his only at bat.

On Friday, Werth said he was fine... he said he could play.

His manager thought otherwise. Charlie Manuel said he could use Werth as a pinch runner, but said the reserve outfielder can't hit or throw.

Manuel didn't rule out a trip to the disabled list. He said a decision on the matter could come as soon as tonight.

Stay tuned...

This is my first sojourn into the great (?) state of Texas.... and man, is it hot.

I know, you read this blog for Phils knowledge, not my complaining about the weather. Just be careful when you wish summer would come soon - you might get it.

As I lift my wrists from this steamy laptop (on AC on high yet inside Minute Maid), I picked up today's Phillies game notes (supplied by the astute Phils media relations department, in this case, good man, Kevin Gregg) and I see the following item:

Phillies starting pitchers have logged the second most innings among National League staffs this year, with 286.

As with any stat, there are a couple of ways to look at this: A) the starting pitching is doing a service to the team's bullpen. Since they're not overtaxed, the stars in the pen have been very effective - the relievers' ERA is best in all of baseball, at 2.84.

B) the starting pitching, while eating up innings, relies heavily on the offense to produce if they want to rack up victories. The starter's ERA of 4.56 if 9th in the NL, and thus, in the bottom half of the league's teams.

The performances of lefties Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer notwithstanding, the Phillies will need more consistent efforts from their starters if they hope to win this year. They won last year with offense, but that was fluky.

The Phils can't expect to go back to the playoffs unless their starters begin to produce while they eat up those innings.

Speaking of which, Adam Eaton takes the mound tonight. My guess is Eaton better start showing something in the next two months (before the all-star break) or his spot could be in jeopardy for the rest of '08.

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The Archive Files

You can't beat the matchup that ended last night's game - Brad Lidge vs. hot-hitting Lance Berkman. The Phils won the battle, and thus the game, last night in Houston.

In the notes, Pat Burrell is benched.

(not sure where the updated game story is - following the late game here in Houston, we're an hour behind - I ran down to the locker room for postgame quotes. Sorry they're not on-line. Perhaps you can drop three quarters for the print version at your local Wawa.)

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Quick thought on Minute Maid Park (formerly known as Enron Field):

Even if you've never been here before, I'm sure you've seen the train that runs along the fence in left field. It's a neat feature. (And I found a picture of it online! I wonder if I can go out and be the train's conductor for an inning or two.)

But in the trailer behind this train is a about a few hundred fake oranges, as you can see. Which begs the question: what was in the trailer before the name change - shredded documents?

This is probably one of two places in baseball where you can use the term "juiced" and not have to worry about making a steroids reference.

Welcome to Minute Maid Park in Houston, not to be confused with Tropicana Field in Tampa. Of all the indoor parks (roof is closed, thankfully, as it's a steamy 90 degrees out) this is the nicest I've seen.

But the wall to left field. Wow. Tempting. But I'm not going to go as far as to say I could poke one out down the LF line (315 feet away). I was always an opposite field guy (and, well, not a power guy, regardless of field dimensions).

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One notable lineup change tonight: no Pat Burrell.

The struggling slugger is just 6 for his last 40 (.150) in 13 games. Greg Dobbs is starting in left.

This move makes a lot of sense - Astros power righty Roy Oswalt is pitching.

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The Archive Files

From Thursday's paper:

Moyer strong again, offense awakes in second straight win over Nats.

What can Brad Lidge do to improve? Ask his manager.


From Wednesday's paper:

Cole Hamels' start and Greg Dobbs' finish help the Phils break a skid.

Phils' offense in need of a boost on the basepaths.

Monday night was supposed to be the night things either continued to be crummy for the Phillies Opening Day starter, or be the night Brett Myers began to turn things around.

But then neither happened.

On the plus side, Myers pitched beyond 5 innings (something he's struggled to do this year) and allowed just four runs (he had allowed six in two of his three previous starts).

On the negative side, he gave up eight hits and walked three - including a walk to the opposing pitcher.

After the game, Myers was asked if Monday was a small start forward in what's been a dismal season for him thus far.

"Hopefully," Myers said. "I definitely felt like I was concentrating more pitch to pitch instead of from batter to batter... I didn't try to think too far ahead tonight."

Myers next start comes Saturday night in Houston. The feeling here is that the 27-year-old could be beginning to turn a corner.

While many Phils fans may have really wanted to see a giant leap against the Nats, Myers instead took a few small steps in at least keeping the Phillies in the game and, thus, giving them a chance to win.

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The Archive Files

For the second time this season, Tim Redding blanked the Phils; Charlie Manuel's crew has lost a season-high three games in a row.

In the notebook, Cole Hamels has found a new weapon this year - his bat.

Well we've survived a long Sunday and have arrived in DC, where the Nationals unveiled brand-spanking new Nationals Park.

(It's still called Nationals Park as the franchise tries to find the right buyer for naming rights.)

It's a pretty nice place. Definitely an upgrade from RFK Stadium.

The Nats, though, are playing just as poorly as they did in their old digs. Washington is in last place, 19-26.

The Phils will look to rebound from a rough weekend, where they dropped two in a row to Toronto. All eyes are on Brett Myers tonight, who has been the Phillies biggest disappointment six weeks into the season.

Tim Redding starts for Washington. He held the Phils to just one hit in seven innings last month.

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The Archive Files

In Sunday's 6-5 defeat, the Phils unexpectedly faced the Jays ace in a big spot - and former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay shut the home team down.

In the notebook, a rainy Sunday means a short stay on the mound for Kyle Kendrick - and a possible appearance out of the pen in Washington this week.

The first two games of the Phils-Blue Jays interleague series brought into focus two of the Phillies smaller, under-the-radar free agent signings of the winter of 2007. And there were a lot of those signings that offseason.

A day after Jayson Werth's home run theatrics produced a win, the unexpected power prowess of former Opening Day catcher Rod Barajas produced a loss.

A quick tally of GM Pat Gillick's moves that year produces a mixed bag of results.

Werth - a hit.
Barajas - a miss.

Greg Dobbs - a hit.
Adam Eaton - a miss.

Wes Helms - miss.

I may be miscalculating, but that looks like more misses than hits. Then again, Gillick made some shrewd in-season moves, most notably the additions of Tadahito Iguchi and Kyle Lohse.

It's probably too early to rule the 2008 offseason moves as hits or misses just yet. Brad Lidge appears to be a hit, Geoff Jenkins a miss -- but it's only 6 weeks in, so perhaps we should let both of those, along with Pedro Feliz and Chad Durbin, play out some more.

If we could predict one miss at the moment, the folks in the press box would cast an optimistic vote to today's weather forecast. The radar at weather.com isn't looking very pretty at the moment, so we could be in for a "hit" - and thus, a long, rain delay-filled day.

Then again, the sun just sneaked through for a second. We're not doing any anti-Indian rain dances, but we'd sure like a "miss" on a get-away day.

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So the Archive Files has been abandoned again for a couple three days. Terrible.

At least I don't abandon my dog. Priorities, people.

Above are the links for the last two game stories. Here is your fill of daily notebooks - on a proud papa in town to see his homer-happy son Saturday and Ryan Howard dodging fans' boos as he works his way out of his season-long slump.


And in the weekly Sunday notes column: the importance of getting Brett Myers right, contract comparisons for Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels, a double-dose of trivia and more...

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The Sunday YouTube Clip of the Week

Yes, you thought the feature was gone for good. Well, thanks to Jimmy Rollins' new walk-up music - which definitely gets credit for humor and originality (nothing worse than hearing the same song for 6 months straight), the YouTube Clip of the Week is back!

Here is the inspiration for the NL MVP's new song of choice:



You wonder if Jimmy is trying to hook himself up with A) free auto insurance or B) free auto insurance and a spot in a national ad campaign for the Cavemen/Gecko insurance company.

In the span of 24 hours, the top of Phillies pitching staff came into full focus.

On Wednesday, Brett Myers exhibited just how bad it can be. He gave up 9 hits and couldn't get out of the fifth inning.

The Phils trailed 8-0 entering the bottom of the 5th.

On Thursday, the game was never in doubt with Cole Hamels on the mound. He pitched his the first, complete game shutout of his career.

In a quick analysis of the two of the team's, former, highly-touted Phillies prospects, it's simply a case of one pitcher living up to the potential and another not.

Myers flourished last year as a closer - that's understood. But he has the stuff (at least from a pitching arsenal standpoint) to be a top of the rotation starter, too. He just can't get over the hump.

Hamels really only needed two months in the big leagues to get over the hump (if there ever was a hump in his progression, that is).

Perhaps its unfair to compare the two, former first round picks. But there's really no reason Myers can't blossom into a star pitcher like Hamels.

Maybe it's just about trust in his stuff and keeping his confidence throughout a game's entirety.

If you gives up a home run, act like Hamels: take a deep breath, get back on the mound and forget about it; remember you've got the ball in your hand, and thus, the advantage.

Hey, I'm not a pitching coach, so what do I know. I just think Myers has it in him to perhaps not be as good as Hamels, but to be pretty close if he ever puts it all together.

If and when that happens, of course, is the biggest mystery, and perhaps, the key to the Phillies success this season.

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The Toronto Blue Jays are in town. Interleague play begins in the MLB today with most teams taking on their "natural rivals."

But the only thing I think the Philadelphia and Toronto have ever shared is the nickname "Blue Jays" -- the Phils tried it out early last century for a year or two and it never stuck.

Oh yeah, there's also that Joe Carter guy, who was the last guy to bat in the Phillies last World Series appearance. I guess one, walk-off, World Series-winning swing makes a rivalry.

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The Archive Files

King Cole's latest hit is a first - a complete game, shutout.

Phils GM Pat Gillick doesn't see team extending Hamels' contract anytime soon.

Brett Myers' latest dud does the Phils in against division-rival Atlanta.

Eric Bruntlett is getting acclimated to another new role - backup outfielder.

I know spring training is meaningless in the long run, but Brett Myers really looked like he was ready to bust out into a legitimate, top of the rotation starter.

He was sending down major league hitters in quick fashion with every turn. His stuff was on point - the fastball, the curve, the cutter.

I actually told some folks he was a dark horse Cy Young Award candidate.

Well Cy Young candidates normally don't have ERAs that hover around 6.00 in mid-May. And that's where Myers sits.

After allowing nine hits and eight runs (six earned) in 4 1/3 innings, Myers ERA climbed to 5.91.

He's allowed eight or more hits in four of his last five starts. He hasn't done that since August of 2003.

And guess what? He can't be a closer this year. They already have a pretty good one.

So how the heck can the Phillies get Myers back on track?

"You know what I think about that all the time - right now I don’t know what we can do," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We can keep working with him, send him out there and see where it goes."

I hate to keep apologizing for being tardy with the blog, but so be it. I guess I could have dropped some knowledge on the Phillies recent road trip during a 4-hour delay from the Denver Airport on Monday, but the off-day story in Tuesday's paper took precedence.

So what's new in Philliesland? Jayson Werth started at CF last night while Shane Victorino started in RF. That's a change.

I kind of like it - both have arms better suited for those positions. Werth, who is slower than Victorino, but is still pretty darn quick, made some really strong throws while playing in center while Victorino was hurt.

Victorino misplayed a few ball in SF while playing CF this weekend, but Phils manager Charlie Manuel told reporters it was a switch made just to keep Werth familiar with CF on the routine days he plans on giving Victorino off to keep the oft-injured Hawaiian healthy and fresh.


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The Archive Files

From Monday's off-day: Phillies starting pitching becoming a concern - who's got next?

From Tuesday at the park: Phils hit parade help Kyle Kendrick crawl out of a hole; in the notebook, Manuel wants more from Myers.

The Phillies are celebrating Mother's Day with pink bats. They're warming up with them in batting practice as I type.

Hopefully for their sake, those bats have more in them than what they used yesterday, when they managed just two hits in the first seven innings of a lopsided 8-2 defeat.

But that was just one day, so no reason to be too critical. With a win this afternoon, the Phils will complete a 4-3 road trip; any winning road trip is a success, especially one that takes you through Phoenix and the pitching-rich Snakes.

Not a whole lot else to report from the ball yard today. This is one of the nice parks in baseball. If the newer parks (post 1990), this is second best in my book to Pittsburgh's PNC.

But San Fran is a nicer city than Pitt, so if you weight that in this is one of the betters places to travel should you want to go on the road trip to watch the Phils one day.

If I was a baseball fan who could travel wherever whenever, here's the list of the top 5 places I'd want to go:

1. Chicago, Wrigley Field
2. San Francisco, AT&T Park
3. Cooperstown, NY - National Baseball Hall of Fame (yup, not a park - but if you're a baseball fan and you've never been, go. Now.)
4. San Diego, Petco Park (it's like 78 and sunny every day in that city).
5. Boston, Fenway Park

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The Archive Files

Forgot to update yesterday, so here's a list of Delco Times weekend links:

The Sunday notes column features Cole Hamels reflecting on the emergence of former Phillies top prospect Gavin Floyd.

In the Saturday game story, young gun Tim Lincecum was a San Francisco treat while Jamie Moyer struggled.

As you read below, Scott Mathieson is headed for another surgery.

On Friday, Jimmy Rollins returned.

The baseball future of injury-plagued Phillies reliever Scott Mathieson isn't looking great.

Mathieson, who has Tommy John surgery in September of 2006 and then ulnar nerve transposition on the same right arm a year later, is "most likely" going to need reconstructive surgery on his throwing arm yet again.

Mathieson met with Dr. Lewis Yocum, Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Michael Ciccotti since spring training. He recently had an MRI that revealed that the ligament is stretched out.

Mathieson has elected to have Dr. Andrews work on his arm again. He'll have the arm scoped first, but as Phillies team trainer Scott Sheridan said early Saturday afternoon, the right-hander will "most likely need reconstructive surgery again."

According to Sheridan, the success rate for players who undergo a second Tommy John surgery is just 30 percent.

SAN FRANCISCO - If you're a Phillies fan who stayed up late enough to watch the entirety of the Phillies-Giants game Friday night, you rested easy when your head finally hit the pillow.

Why? Jimmy Rollins'left ankle looks just fine.

The All-Star shortstop and Bay Area native banged out three hits, finishing a triple away from the cycle as the Phillies beat the Giants 7-4 before 33,796 fans at AT&T Park.

Rollins, making his first start since spraining his ankle in New York on April 8, was 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs.

"We'll save that for later - we don't want him doing too much in one day," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said afterward of Rollins failing to hit a triple.

Former Giants third baseman Pedro Feliz, who was with the San Francisco organization for 14 years before signing with the Phillies this winter, hit an RBI double in the sixth inning to tie the game at 4-4.

Two innings later, the Phillies batted around and plated three more runs to grab a 7-4 lead. Carlos Ruiz's fielder's choice scored the go-ahead run. Rollins tacked on the seventh and final run with an double to right field to cap a three-run eighth inning.

Rollins helped the Phillies rally back from a 4-1 deficit by slugging a two-run home run in the fifth. As Rollins circled the bases, the Phillies trailed 4-3.

Rollins, 0-for-2 in his first two trips to the plate, also singled in the seventh inning. He said he visited the indoor batting cage following his first two at bats to fine-tune his swing.

"If I would have know I was going to have three at bats like that, I would have started a little earlier," Rollins said of missing out on the cycle despite collecting three hits in his final three at bats.

Cole Hamels (4-3) earned the win despite pitching through two shaky frames. He retired the first seven hitters of the game, but then allowed four runs before the end of the fourth inning.

The all-star left-hander scattered six hits in seven innings. Hamels struck out seven and walked three.

After the fourth inning, Hamels didn't allow a Giants baserunner to reach second base.

"Things went haywire there for a while, but he battled through and settled down," Manuel said of Hamels' night.

The game marked the first time the Phillies played with all of their regulars since the second week of the season.

"I'm happy we've got everyone back, we're going to play better," Manuel said. "We're going to go get the (National League) East.

"When we're healthy... we've got a pretty good chance."


Reach Ryan Lawrence at ryanlawrence21@gmail.com

The MVP is back.

Three-and-a-half hours before game time here at AT&T Park, Jimmy Rollins been activated from the 15-day disabled list and he's starting at shortstop and leading off Friday night against the Giants.

To make room for Rollins, rookie Brad Harman was sent down to Double-A Reading.

This is Rollins' first appearance in the starting lineup in a month - he last led off and played shortstop on April 8 at Shea Stadium in New York. He sprained his left ankle that afternoon and he was placed on the disabled list on April 20.

...be sure to check the lineup, to see if Jimmy Rollins is in there.

No word yet. Although there was a Jimmy sighting from the press box - about a half hour ago, he walked across the backstop with a bag in tow.

Word is, the bag had baseball equipment in it... baseball equipment he could use to play with tonight.

Ah, the drama.

I'd be shocked if he doesn't play, honestly. He played 3 games earlier this week and performed fine. Why would they play him in minor league games earlier this week if the ankle was still an issue?

We'll see. They could play it cautious and give him until they return to Citizens Bank Park Tuesday.

But my money is on Rollins playing tonight.

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The Archive Files

Brett Myers showcases his Mr. Hyde in a loss to the D-backs.

So far, free agent-to-be Brad Lidge likes what he sees in Philadelphia.

Jimmy Rollins is returning home.

Jimmy Rollins will rejoin the Phillies in San Francisco Friday.

But this doesn't necessarily mean he'll be activated for the first of three games against the Giants, according to team officials.



My gut feeling: since Rollins played three days in a row in Florida this week on a rehab assignment and reported no ill effects, he'll be activated.

If he's not, then the team will play it cautious and wait until their homestand starts Tuesday after Monday's off-day.

Rollins has been out of the starting lineup since April 8.

Two weeks ago in Pittsburgh, Phillies general manager Pat Gillick admitted the team was looking for another left-hander for the bullpen.

They may have found one.

The team announced today that it has acquired lefty Stephen Randolph, for a player to be named later, from the Houston Astros. Randolph will be assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

But don't hold your hopes out for Randolph being a big part of the Phils bullpen at some point this year. The 34-year-old has only appeared in 14 major league games in the last four seasons.

Randolph was 0-1 with a 12.15 in 13 1/3 innings for Houston last season. He pitched in 2003 and 2004 with the Diamondbacks.

In '03, he was 8-1 with a 4.05 ERA in 60 innings.

The veteran southpaw has spent the first six weeks of the 2008 season at Triple-A Round Rock, where he has yielded only eight hits while striking out 21 in 14 2/3 innings... but he's also walked 11.

Randolph will likely compete with fellow lefty Steve Kline for being the next arm called up to help the Phillies bullpen.

Heading into the final game of four in Phoenix, the Phillies have fared admirably against baseball's best team.

By virtue of a 22-12 record (.647), the Diamondbacks are the best in baseball. The Phillies have already take two out of three. Even with a loss today, they'd split a road series with a pretty darn good team.

And they've done it with Jimmy Rollins in another state and Ryan Howard playing like a Lehigh Valley IronPig.

As a Phillies fan, you have to be happy with that. This team's resiliency is the same as it was last year, when they endured key injury after key injury (Brett Myers, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard were among those on the DL in 2007) and claimed their first division title since 1993.

Although the Marlins (19-14, .576) are percentage points above the Phillies (20-15, .571)in the NL East standings, you have to think the veteran crew Charlie Manuel runs out there every day has more staying power at the top than the Fish.

Meanwhile New York and Atlanta are just 1 1/2 back... but both have had issues. The Braves seem to lose another pitcher to the DL each week (John Smoltz was the latest); the Mets' best hitter is Ryan Church (Carlos Beltran is hitting just .218, Jose Reyes is at .254).

All in all, if you're a Phillies fan, you have to be pretty pumped up with the season's first 6 weeks. And when was the last time you could day that??

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The Archive Files

Eric Bruntlett continued filling in for Jimmy Rollins and helped ignite the Phillies to their most recent win.

Don't be confused - there's also an Eric Bruntlett feature, written in case the game story was too late for your paper, on-line. Sorry it has the same first sentence - when you're on west coast time, deadlines make things dicey.

In the notebook, Brett Myers continues his long toss regiment as the team hopes their Opening Day starter has worked his way out of his most recent funk.

Here's a little "Did You Know?" concerning the Phillies and their pitching, as we wait for another late night start in 'zona.

Did You Know...

...that the Phillies pitching staff's ERA of 3.84 is 6th best in the National League?

...that Phillies starting pitcher have logged 203 innings, second most in the NL to St. Louis (206).

...that Phillies pitchers have racked up 18 quality starts, which is tied for third i the NL.


Sure all those numbers are great. But they could also come crumbling down quickly if Adam Eaton's numbers keep heading in the wrong direction.

Eaton’s ERA has climbed from 4.12 to 5.63 in his last four starts.

He coughed up the game Tuesday night when he walked opposing pitcher Randy Johnson with the bases loaded.

"I (screwed) up," Eaton said afterward.

Knowing Eaton owned a 6.29 ERA last year, the Phillies have to be concerned. Their pitching may have held up in April, but if one or two of their starters can't eat innings, that could change in a hurry.

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The Archive Files

Randy Johnson keeps Old-timer's Week at Chase Field alive as Adam Eaton fumbles away game.

In the notebook, Ryan Howard sits - and he's more concerned with how he feels at the plate than the results.

In the plug-in story (which appeared in papers that didn't get last night's game story), Carlos Ruiz is beginning to swing the bat well after a sluggish start.

For the second straight day, Jimmy Rollins had a productive performance in an extended spring training game at the Carpenter Complex.

The rehabbing shortstop was 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, two walks, two runs and a stolen base.

He's scheduled to play for the Clearwater Threshers on Wednesday.

His goal is to join the team in Arizona Thursday; meeting up with the team in San Francisco is probably more likely.

"Their schedule is they want me to be (in Clearwater) Thursday, but mine says I have a plane ticket," he said.

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The Archive Files

If you didn't stay up past midnight, you missed a masterful performance from the oldest player in baseball, Jamie Moyer, against a highly-touted rookie.

In the notes, Jimmy Rollins' first rehab game goes well.

Here's the filler story (written in case the game doesn't get into your paper) that didn't appear on line:

PHILS HOMER-HAPPY OFFENSE COULD USE ROLLINS


PHOENIX – Jimmy Rollins went 4-for-4 with three doubles in his first extended spring training game in Clearwater, Fla. Monday afternoon.

Over 2,100 miles away, Charlie Manuel cast a wistful eye toward his leadoff-hitting shortstop.

Rollins, whose status is still “day to day” according to assistant general manager Ruben Amaro, has talents that are obvious. But his impact on how the lineup functions, while also clear in his MVP-winning season in 2007, have perhaps never been more glaring than in the Phillies recent winning surge.

Since Rollins was placed on the disabled list on April 20, the Phillies have won 10 of 14 games. But during that run they’ve relied heavily on the long ball.

In those 14 games, the Phillies have scored 30 of their 70 runs (43 percent) off of home runs.

“I’m not concerned about the hitting, but right now, that’s the hitting that we got,” Manuel said before the Phillies game in Arizona Monday night. “We’ve got guys who swing big. We got guys who take big hacks at the ball. That’s who they are.

“I don’t mean that negative or positive… that’s who they are. If we don’t hit doubles or homers, where are we going to get the speed from?”

Rollins, and Shane Victorino, who only returned to the starting lineup Thursday, add the dynamic of small ball more regularly to the team’s lineup.

They both can steal bases – Rollins and Victorino combined for 78 last summer. The Phillies set a major league record for stolen base efficiency (138 stolen bases in 157 attempts) and ranked second in the league in steals last year.

Without their two jackrabbits at the top of the order for most of 2008, the Phillies’ running game has gone from productive to non-existent. The team’s 15 stolen bases in 20 tries is 10th in the league.

“One player can make a difference,” Manuel said. “Because with Rollins, a switch hitter (and) a contact hitter who can also hit the ball out of the yard and he can run – he sets the game up for us.”

Before Sunday’s game, the first two games against the Giants over the weekend – one win, one loss – saw the Phillies relying solely on the home run. The scored eight runs on five home runs.

“We’re not manufacturing runs like when you have Jimmy at the top of the lineup who’s able to steal a base and make things happen,” Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson said. “The runs he scores, the runs he produces… he does it all.”

Although the Phillies entered Monday’s game tied for the third most wins in the National League, they were only 10th with an ordinary .250 team batting average. While Rollins can only do so much in bringing that number up, his ability to get on base could at least make some of those outs productive outs with his knack for getting around the bases quicker than most.

“I think once we get Rollins back it’s going to help us, speed-wise, that plays a big part in it,” Manuel said. “With him and Victorino at the top of our order, that’s how we manufacture runs.”

Here is a picture of tonight's starter for Arizona, highly-hyped rookie Max Scherzer.

He's heterochromic - an eye condition with one blue and one brown eye.

Since I switched coasts today and I'm currently under a crazy deadline given the game time out here, this will be the briefest blog entry every.

Here goes:


- In extending spring training in Clearwater, Fla. today, Jimmy Rollins went 4-for-4. He's scheduled to play at the Carpenter Complex again Tuesday.

If all goes well in the next two days, don't be shocked to see the shortstop back with the big league club this weekend.

- Also in Clearwater, things aren't looking as good for reliever Scott Mathieson. The hard-throwing right-hander, who missed the majority of last year with injuries, had an MRI last week and the team is awaiting for three doctors to consult to discuss the results/next step.

Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro said he's "not particularly optimistic" on Mathieson's ability to get back on the field in the near future.

- Kris Benson, a third rehabbing Phillie in Florida, is rebounding from a groin injury he suffered two Saturdays ago in his first start in extended spring training.

Benson is working out to strengthen his groin and is also throwing long toss. There's no timetable on when he'll return to the mound.

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Had a second to wind down... so here's the updated Archive Files:

In the Sunday notes column, Pat Gillick is right: long-term contracts for pitchers isn't a good idea.

Brett Myers is sharp, but Phils offense is punchless against Matt Cain on Saturday night.

On Sunday, the Giants couldn't field the ball cleanly all day and the Phillies took full-advantage en route to another win - their 10th in 14 games.

Chase Utley, a popular pick among many this preseason to win an NL MVP, received the April equivalent of an MVP.

Utley was named the National League Player of the Month. The Phillies second baseman hit .360 (40-for-111) with 11 home runs, 10 doubles, a triple, 23 RBIs and 25 runs in the season's first month (which included the first day of the season, March 31).

(At left, Utley, pictured with his wife, Jen).

Utley had 15 multi-hit games in the season's first month and tied a franchise record by homering in five straight games from April 17 to April 21. Since his first home run was hit in March 31, Utley came on long ball away from tying Mike Schmidt's record of 11 home runs in April.

Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell, along with Atlanta's Chipper Jones, L.A.'s Rafael Furcal and Pittsburgh's Nate McLouth, also received votes.

Since Sharp is sponsoring this year's Player of the Month awards, Utley will receive a 52-inch AQUOS high-definition TV.

I didn't ask, but I don't think he'll kindly donate it to me.

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The Archive Files

The Phillies kept on rolling, winning for the ninth time in 12 games, thanks to some late dramatics from Pat Burrell.

As the Phillies prepare to head west, Jimmy Rollins is going back to Clearwater.

Former Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand, back in town for the first time since signing with San Francisco, shares his thoughts of why he would have liked to stay here and why it didn't work out.

While there is still no official timetable on Jimmy Rollins' return, he will definitely not be activated Monday.

Team media relations director Greg Casterioto said Rollins is headed back to continue rehabbing in Clearwater Sunday; he won't travel to the west coast with the Phillies.

UPDATE: Shortly after getting that info from Casterioto, I spoke with Rollins with some other reporters. The reigning NL MVP is in fact going to Clearwater and will take part in some extended spring training games.

His goal is to join the Phillies in Phoenix Thursday. Rollins is from the Bay Area, so even if he's not ready for Thursday, my guess is he's going to make an effort for next weekend.

That Sunday is Mother's Day. Although his mom told him it would be "okay if he's not ready" by then, you better believe Jimmy wants to make his momma proud.

On that note, here's a terrific story on Mrs. Rollins from the New York Times a few weeks ago.

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The Archive Files

A struggling slugger, Ryan Howard, and an unstoppable pitcher, Brad Lidge, lead the Phillies in a win that pushes them in first place for the first time this year.

In the notebook, Phillies new third baseman Pedro Feliz is struggling at the plate as his former team comes to town.

Ah, the two most pivotal questions in the history of Philadelphia sports.

Eagles all-pro running back, Ricky Watters, is responsible for those words. "For who? For what?" was his answer when asked to try to catch a ball amid traffic in the middle of the field.

When former Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand ran face first into the center field fence two years ago - breaking his nose in the process - he was asked those two important questions.

For who?

"For the team."

For what?

"To win."

Although he was here for just two years, that one play - and the corresponding rhetoric with reporters - cemented Rowand into the local sports mythology. All right, s he didn't become a god - but he did become arguably a lot of people's favorite player for his willingness to sacrifice himself for his team.

Then he left for $60 million when the San Francisco Giants came calling.

Rowand is back tonight at Citizens Bank Park.

Will he run into a wall? Will he talk about his short, but memorable stay?

Stay tuned.

I arrived at the ballpark a shade earlier than usual... and caught Jimmy Rollins working out with team athletic trainer Scott Sheridan.

Rollins, who has been out of the starting lineup since April 8, was running. And he was running in what appeared to be at least close to full speed.

I was honestly impressed as the normally fleet-footed shortstop whisked around the outfield grass, just beyond the baselines. Even running the arc around the area behind second base didn't seem to slow him down.

Of course, when he was done, Rollins did look to be in some discomfort. I just couldn't tell if it was him being winded or the pain from his left foot.

But he was running - and pretty fast - so I'm thinking that's a good sign for Phillies fans. Right?

It was just 24 hours ago that Rollins and manager Charlie Manuel said they were unsure when the shortstop, who is eligible to return from the DL on Monday, would be able to go on a minor league rehab assignment. (Read the notebook below, in the Archive Files.)

My guess is he's still not making the first half of the current west coast trip. But maybe he's sent out Saturday for a 3-5 day assignment and then joins the team in San Francisco next weekend.

But please know that's just a wild guess and speculation on my own part, just after watching him run right now.

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The Archive Files

The Phillies closed out a successful April - their best in 5 years - with a loss to Chris Young and the Padres.

In the notebook, Randy Wolf gears up for his first road start in Philadelphia.