I just arrive in Atlanta (sorry no blog yesterday, the 5 p.m. start time through off my routine).

I just read how Chipper Jones, who has been impersonating Ted Williams this year, could be headed to the DL. This, of course, is welcome news for the Phillies as they get ready to play a three-game series with the Braves Tuesday.

(Note: They don't wish injury on anyone, of course. But it helps their chances to win when a guy hitting .394 can't get penciled into the lineup).


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There should be a decision on the fate of Brett Myers' next scheduled start within the next 24 hours.

My educated guess: the Phils skip Myers, for at least on start and quite possibly longer (the all-star break), and give Chad Durbin a look in the starter's role.

The Phils like Durbin in the pen, but if Myers can find his groove in the pen, it may be a win-win tradeoff. Again, that's speculation.

Even when the Phillies win lately, it can't be easy.

In his first save opportunity since June 12, the still perfect Brad Lidge collected his 19 save of the season in Mitch Williams-like fashion. He made it interesting.

With just one out, a two-run lead and runners on the corners, Lidge punched out two of the American League's most potent bats.

First he struck out Josh Hamilton, the American League leader in home runs (19) and RBIs (78). Then Lidge reared back and sent down AL hitting leader Milton Bradley (.330) on strikes, too.

"I definitely hadn’t had that kind of adrenaline in a while," Lidge said. "It felt great to be in that situation."

Great to be able to get out of it. Lidge admitted he didn't feel so good giving up a leadoff double to begin the inning.

But if there's any Phillie a fan would be hard-pressed to criticize, it's Lidge. H's now 19-for-19 in save chances. Among National League relievers, only Dodgers lefty Hong-Chih Kuo (0.76) has a lower ERA than Lidge's 0.84.

But perhaps more important in the grand scheme of the Phillies hopes to escape their current June swoon was the collective effort of the offense. Every starter save Pat Burrell collected at least one hit while Chase Utley and Ryan Howard led the way with home runs.

If the Phillies can get those two going at the same time - and Jimmy Rollins, who came inches away from sliding in safely with an inside-the-park home run Saturday night - this team may still be able to create distance between itself and the rest of the division.

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The Archive Files

Brett Myers outdoes himself with the shortest outing of his career and the worst of a forgettable 2008 in Friday night's loss to Texas.

In the notes, a former Phillies pitcher has found a home deep in the heart of Texas with the Rangers.

Somehow, we've found our way back in Texas again for the second time since Memorial Day weekend.

In a tough interleague schedule that's matched the Phils up against the Red Sox, Angels and A's in the last two weeks, Charlie Manuel's slumping hitters should finally get to breathe a little easier at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (what, not corporate naming rights yet?).

The Rangers have never been known for their pitching (Padilla and Millwood are in their rotation now) and this ballpark is not unlike Citizens Bank with its inviting power alleys.

If there ever was a time for the offense to wake up, this weekend appears to be as ideal as any. And don't point the finger anywhere else as you try to break down why the Phils have just one win since June 16.

It's all about the offense.

In the last week, Phils' pitchers have a 3.98 ERA, good enough for sixth best in the National League.

From Adam Eaton to Cole Hamels, the starters have given the Phillies a chance to win. The offense - and mainly, the middle of the order - simply hasn't delivered.

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Friday Night Lineup

1. Jayson Werth RF
2. Chase Utley 2B
3. Jimmy Rollins SS
4. Pat Burrell LF
5. Ryan Howard DH
6. Pedro Feliz 3B
7. Shane Victorino CF
8. Chris Coste C
9. Eric Bruntlett 1B

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(Updating) The Archive Files

As you may have noticed, I was not in Oakland. Late games and early deadlines don't mix well in the newspaper business.

So I took a much needed hiatus... which included blogging. So here are the stories I forgot to link earlier this week.

For Monday's off-day story, a look at the Phils' team-wide offensive slump.

In the notes off Sunday's game, Moyer pitching like an All-Star, Flash not flooded with work lately, and more...

(The link to Sunday's game story can't be found. Looks like the delcotimes.com is undergoing some adjustments: the old rail to the right side with stories by day is gone for whatever reason).

The Phils have only played two innings so far in this afternoon's game, and why they've struggled this week is on full display.

As is the case in nearly every season in the last decade, they have too any guys who swing and miss.... and, thus, don't move runners along very well.

1st inning -- Rollins singles and Dobbs, hitting second, walks. After Chase Utley flies to center, the two baserunners move themselves over with a double steal.

But then both Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell go down swinging.

Two on, no out.... no runs.

2nd inning -- Shane Victorino, hitting sixth Sunday in what's probably an attempt to add some balance to the lineup, singles to lead off. But instead of moving him over with a ground ball to the right right -- or ANY kind of ball to the right side - Geoff Jenkins and Carlos Ruiz hit back and back fly outs to left field.

Cole Hamels came through with a ground ball to the right side.... for the third out of the inning.

I believe this is why the Phils have lost four straight. Their offense keeps performing like this.

When they score runs, it's more often on extra base hits instead of the small-ball type of things teams need to do, too.

Case in point - Phils finally score a run in the third when Chase Utley snaps 0-for-24 skid with a two-out double and Ryan Howard follows with a single to right.

It worked. But eventually, they're going to have do more than rely on the double and home run.

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The Archive Files

In Saturday night's game, Brett Myers pitches well enough to win.... but runs into his own form of kryptonite in defeat.

For the first time this season, Chase Utley is a healthy scratch.

In the Sunday notes column, several reasons why the DH sucks and other news and notes from around the league... and yes, trivia, too.

Stuck in an 0-for-23 slump (and hitless in eight days), Chase Utley was out of the starting lineup when it was posted outside the Phillies clubhouse this afternoon.

Despite his recent swoon, it's a little surprising. The Phils haven't won a series since two weekends ago in Atlanta. They've lost five of their last six and seven out of their last 10.

They need a win... and you'd think they'd be in better shape with Utley.Even if he's slumping, you have to think he's due to break out, right?

But Eric Bruntlett, who has been a serviceable reserve this year, is playing second and batting eighth. Pat Burrell is hitting third.

Burrell actually it third in 47 games last year, hitting .240 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs.

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The Archive Files

Vladimir Guerrero continues the kill the Phillies and Adam Eaton struggles in loss to Angels Friday night.

Obviously the Red Sox were just in town, and it was difficult to imagine a team that talented NOT playing in the World Series this fall.

And the Phils didn't even see Dice-K, Beckett or Ortiz.

But Boston was dealt a blow this morning. Former Phillies ace Curt Schilling has decided to have season-ending surgery and hinted to a Boston radio station that his career, too, could be over.

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The Archive Files

Enjoyed a day "off" yesterday (wrote at home instead of the ballpark) and decided to further examine Chase Utley's biggest slump of his career. But have no fear - those around Utley know he's the last hitter you need to worry about.

Also, Jack McCaffery catches up with one of Delco's all-time best baseball products, Springfield High grad and Angels manager Mike Scioscia.


From Wednesday at the park: If this was a World Series preview, the Phils failed at showing they can hang with the Sox.

Also, Boston third baseman Mike Lowell says Phils were his second choice when he went through free agency over the winter.

If you're at work reading this, hurry up and run to the bathroom. Sell it.

Act like you're getting sick. That tuna salad sandwich at lunch must have been bad.

If there was ever a day to call in sick, today might be it. It's gearing up to be a postcard kind of day at Citizens Bank Park.

Although there are some clouds in the sky, the skyline looks magnificent from the press box. The sun is beginning to peak through now, too.

And best of all it's not one of those sweat til you puke summer matinee games at the ballyard. The temperature won't be in the 90s... and may not even reach the 80s.

Hey, I'm not here to sell tickets. But Phils-Red Sox and a picture perfect day... would you really rather be sitting in a cubicle?

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Not much news in the a.m. Only curious item in the lineup, pointed out by fellow scribe Mike Radano from my old paper across the bridge, is the presence of Carlos Ruiz back behind the plate.

This being a day game after a night game (which was also started by Ruiz), the move seems a little strange. Then again, maybe Charlie's trying to right Ruiz's bat... the second-year catcher is hitting .226.

The Phils skipper doesn't formally speak before day games, so we'll have to find out why Chris Coste is sitting this one out later...

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Meet the Mess

You have to love the New York tabloids, especially when the news isn't good for their local teams. Check out the terrific front page (and the back ain't bad, either) of the New York Post here.

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The Archive Files

One night after their own ace lefty delivered a victory, the Phillies found themselves in the cross hairs of a storybook season of a very talented Boston Red Sox southpaw.

Also, the Phillies react to the news in New York, where their rival Mets dumped their manager.

Speaking of which, Jack McCaffery columnizes about how the Phillies own manager has persevered since he was hired in the same offseason as Willie Randolph.

The Phillies are in first place.

They have the reigning National League MVP.

They have two other hitters tied for the league lead in RBIs.

They are third in the National League - and fifth in all of baseball - in average attendance.

All of that said, here's what I don't get:

- Ryan Howard, tied for 2nd in the league in HR and tied for the lead in RBIs, ranks fifth in the all-star voting among first baseman.

- Jimmy Rollins, who put the Phillies on his back with his mouth in the preseason a year ago and then helped carry them to a division title with MVP stats, ranks fourth among shortstops.

To be fair, Chase Utley is killing all comers at second base. He's the overal leading vote getter in the NL, regardless of position.

But Prince Fielder, among others, above Howard? Ryan Theriot ahead of Rollins?

A familiar trend I see in the ballot results is a member of the Cubs and Astros is in the top three in nearly every position.

Which means fans are coming out in droves and voting for their players in Houston and in Chicago. In Philly? They may be, root, rooting for the home team, but they're not voting for them.

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The (long-awaited) Archive Files

I had a wedding in New Orleans over the weekend, and the goings on along Bourbon Street can tend to derail one from upkeeping things such as blogs.

So here's a bunch of stuff you may have already read (or haven't been able to find) in the last 4-5 days:

From Monday at the Bank: Sports editor Rob Parent's column: Red Sox Nation takes hold of Philly, but Phils send the visitors and their trendy fans home with an "L."

In the game story, Cole Hamels' cold streak is history; Howard is beginning to heat up.

In the notes, J.C. Romero got a World Series ring from the Red Sox... who probably wouldn't mind having him back a year after releasing the left-hander.


From Sunday in St. Louis: Brett Myers gives up five runs in his first three innings en route to another, less-than-quality start.

In the notes, the Phillies literally throw away the finale of a nine-game road trip.

In your Sunday baseball column, Jimmy Rollins talks about the minor league trip his good friend Dontrelle Willis has had to take, a Delco native returns to Philly, and more.


From Saturday in St. Louis: Former teammates Adam Eaton and Kyle Lohse do battle, but a bad call trips up the Phillies in the final inning.

In the notes, Kyle Kendrick has avoided a sophomore slump.


From Friday in St. Louis: The Phillies unleash the bats in "baseball heaven."

In the notes, two seven-game winners, Kyle Lohse and Jamie Moyer, reflect on their early season successes.

From Thursday in Miami: Jamie Moyer baffles the Marlins. Again.

In the notes, Kyle Kendrick is celebrating an anniversary.

I've only been in the press box for about 15 minutes and I've already heard the words "World Series preview" at least twice as we gear up for Phillies-Red Sox tonight at Citizens Bank Park.

Fair enough, but the Phils surely didn't look like a World Series team in the last two days... at least in what I saw of the games. This blog has been dormant over the weekend since I was in a wedding out of town (and New Orleans is a great place to escape the baseball beat for a few days).

Sorry for the lack of an advanced warning.

More to come later... right now it's time to trek down to the clubhouse.

Oh, as for news.... Juan Samuel was announced today as this year's recipient of Phillies Wall of Fame honors.

My hotel here in balmy South Florida is about 200 feet away from the Fishing Hall of Fame.

Sadly, I have not take the time to check out its hallowed halls. But I imagine there has to be a plaque representing Jamie Moyer somewhere inside the building.

Heading into tonight's game at Dolphins Stadium, Moyer is perfect against the fish. He's won EVERY time he's faced them. Moyer is 8-0 in his career with a 3.51 ERA.

At Dolphins Stadium, he's 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA.

That's pretty darn good. I only wonder if the Fishing Hall of Fame has given him his proper respect.

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The Archive Files

Cole Hamels was close to unhittable, but two costly home runs and one bad outing by Tom Gordon led to the Phillies second loss in a row Wednesday night.

In the notebook, the Phillies have been anything but roadkill away from Citizens Bank Park this year.

The Phillies have put it out there that they'd like to add another left-hander to their bullpen this year.

But it won't be Steve Kline.

The veteran left-hander, who signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies in , was released today. Kline was 0-2 with a 5.16 ERA in 20 appearances at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

But fellow left-handers were hitting an astounding .341 against Kline.

While his pitching was less than great, Kline's last straw may have came after an argument with an umpire on Monday. In the IronPigs 4-1 loss to Rochester, Kline made physical contract with ump Mike Estabrook.

He was suspended indefinitely by the Phillies and the International League after the incident.

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The Archive Files

Brett Myers pitched like an All-Star in spring training. But the only way he'll get to the Midsummer Classic this year is if he's asked to help out in the home run derby. He served up three bombs in the Phils 5-4 defeat to Florida Tuesday.

In the notebook, Dobbs is back in the starting lineup... and wouldn't mind being an everyday player.

I flirted with the idea of posting a photo of Dolphin Stadium, home of the Florida Marlins (shouldn't it be called Marlins Stadium, considering the baseball team has been highly more successful than the football franchise?).

But really, you don't want to see what I'm looking at. The bright orange seats are painful on the eyes. This place is massive. And massively awful.

Then again, it's a football stadium, so what do you expect. No ambiance. Just 50,000 some seats that will be empty all year.

Brett Myers goes to work in a few hours. Ricky Nolasco is pitching for the Fish.


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The Archive Files

Speaking of off-day, I used that time to find a story that's a little different from the usual stuff on the guys on the 25-man roster:

Zach Collier, the 34th overall pick by the Phillies in last week's draft is just two years removed from open heart surgery. The highly-touted outfielder made a quick recovery and maintained his status as one of the top prep sluggers in the country.

From Sunday's action in Atlanta, Ryan Howard heats up in the Phils sweep-clinching win.

In the notebook, Carlos Ruiz is still trying to find his swing.

I think we've reached the point where we can finally take all the talk about the Phillies getting off to slow starts and put it six feet under the ground.

This team is one win shy of playing .600 baseball; only one National League team, the Cubs, have a better record; the Phils (38-26) have nearly the same record as the big, bad Boston Red Sox(39-26).

And now they're on the road, at the beginning of a rough stretch before the All-Star break - they play 34 games, beginning with Friday, with every opponent save the rival Mets and hot-hitting Rangers (they lead the MLB in runs).

But they're already off and running. Two games in Atlanta, two wins. Today, a chance for a sweep before flying to Florida.

Things are going awful well right now. Can it last?

If the starting pitching keeps plugging away - every starter turned in a quality start in their last trips to the mound - why not?

Adam Eaton, who is tied for the team lead with ace Cole Hamels with seven quality starts, take the ball this afternoon in muggy Atlanta.

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The Archive Files

While watching the game-winning play unfold Saturday night, I couldn't help but take notice of Shane Victorino's speed as he scored all the way from first base with ease. Big Brown immediately came to mind.

So I asked Charlie Manuel about it, and he said he would have taken his center fielder over the Triple Crown-favorite horse on Saturday, when the Phils collected their 11th win in 13 games.

In the Sunday notes column, Charlie Manuel doesn't always have to be Mr. Nice Guy, a look at some former Phils flying high, your weekly dose of trivia, and more....

Prior to Saturday's game, the Phillies have activated outfielder Jayson Werth from the disabled list. To make room for Werth, Chris Snelling was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Since he is out of minor league options, Snelling has three days to accept or reject the assignment. If he rejects, he can become a free agent.

Werth was placed on the disabled list on Friday May 23 with a strained right oblique. With a left-hander (Jo-Jo Reyes) scheduled to start for Atlanta tonight, there's a pretty good chance Werth will be in the starting lineup.

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The Archive Files

Busy day in Atlanta on the first day of arrival.

The first news I saw was that a Delco product was drafted by the Phillies on Day 2 of the First-Year Player draft. And Radnor/Villanova's own Jordan Ellis certainly worked hard to get his shot at his big league dream.

In the wacky, wild game, Shane Victorino starred as the Phillies stole a win that was in the glove of Atlanta second baseman Kelly Johnson.

In the notes, Tom Gordon is a proud papa as his son, Devaris, is selected by the Dodgers in the draft and also decides the best way to use his first professional paycheck.

With the 856th pick of the First-Year Player draft, the Phillies chose Villanova pitcher Jordan Ellis.

The Bryn Mawr native starred on both the hardwood and the diamond at Radnor High. I don't know this officially, but my guess is this is the first time the Phillies have taken a Delco product since picking Springfield's Taylor Buchholz in 2000.

Oh, wait... the Phils also picked Mike Costanzo. My bad.

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The Archive Files

The Delco Times website was down, apparently, which may be why I haven't been able to blog (or the blog posts wouldn't go through).

So here is me playing catchup. Again.

Thursday as a busy day at the ballpark, highlighted by Charlie Manuel's in-game decision to bench Rollins.

In the notes, the Phils draft a pair of Negro League catchers.

In the real draft, the Phils nabbed a pair of athletic high schoolers at #24 and #34 overall.

Phillies fans receive the praise of future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.



From Wednesday, a draft preview - with some names you may now recognize.

And in the game, Brett Myers flirts with a no-hitter but still gets tagged with a loss.

Which led to some laughs among the folks in the press box, in light of the Rollins' news.

(Of course, in all seriousness, Hewitt, who also plays outfield, couldn't possibly be in Philly until at least 2012, since he's fresh out of high school).

If there ever was a time you could officially call these Phillies Chase Utley's team, it's today in my mind.

After failing to run out a dropped fly ball in the third inning, starting shortstop Jimmy Rollins was removed from the game. Following the game, Phils manager Charlie Manuel angrily sidestepped questions about the incident, but with no injury report, it's obvious that even if the matter was handled internally, it was because of that play.

It's pretty obvious.

But back to my original point: Since Chase Utley is the best player on this team right now, I read the message like this -- play the way Chase plays - runs out EVERY ball - or don't play at all.

If I felt this was pure speculation, I wouldn't feel comfortable writing this post, but I'm pretty sure the following three factors explain the matter:

1. Rollins did not run out fly ball in third inning

2. Rollins was lifted, and no injury update was ever announced to the media (this is routine procedure when a guy comes out a that early).

3. Manuel said the matter was handled internally and sidestepped questions.

If it was anything else, they would have said so. Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't create an injury to avoid it altogether.



I was working the Reds locker room after the game (sports editor Rob Parent handled beat duties today) but apparently Rollins owned up to the mental mistake afterward, too.

More tomorrow in the Daily Times...

Right now it doesn't look to promising with the tarp on the field and a hardy, steady rain falling down on Citizens Bank Park. Some folks are saying this will pass, but I just looked at weather.com's hour by hour forecast and it's either "isolated" or "scattered" thunderstorms all night.

Fun stuff.

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As with any other season, injuries will certainly have an impact on the National League East race.

On Wednesday morning, the biggest blow yet was felt by the Braves. Atlanta has called a press conference today to announce that sure-fire Hall of Famer John Smoltz will miss the remainder of the season.

The veteran Braves pitcher has already been in the disabled list twice this year with a severely inflamed biceps muscle and an inflamed rotator cuff. He'll likely undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.

Smoltz confirmed the news on an Atlanta radio show this morning. This could also mark the end to Smoltz's career - in recent weeks, he has talked about retirement due to his shoulder woes.

The Phillies will visit Atlanta for the first time in 2008 this weekend.

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The Archive Files


Adam Eaton continued his 2008 redemption with another strong showing in a win over the Reds, the first-place Phillies' eighth victory in nine games.

In the notebook, reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins feels like Rodney "I get no respect" Dangerfield.

Perhaps it's a little too early to forgive Adam Eaton for a forgettable 2007 season.

But the Phillies right-hander has made pretty big strides of late. Granted three starts is small in the grand scheme of a full season, but Eaton has done more than keep his team in games lately.

For the most part, that's all you can hope to ask of Phillies pitchers -- with this offense, just keep you in the game. That's all.

Kyle Kendrick and Jamie Moyer are poster children (okay, Moyer can't be in the same sentence as "children") for that approach. Give up 4 or 5 runs, we'll score 6 or 7 and win the game.

If Adam Eaton just went out and did that, everyone would be thrilled inside Citizens Bank Park.

But Eaton has been better than that -- in his last two starts, he's helped WIN the Phillies games.

Take tonight: Phils can only muster three runs off Reds ace Aaron Harang. No problem - Eaton holds Cincy to one run on three hits in 6-plus innings.

He was pretty much the same pitcher a week ago against Colorado. Eaton held the Rockies to one run on just four hits in six innings.

Two starts ago, he pitched seven innings and gave up three runs in a 4-3 loss to Houston; given the Phillies offense, he was probably deserving of a better fate that day.

Sure three starts is a small sample size... but I also think it takes three starts to say a trend is developing. Eaton is on a hot streak.

Speaking of three start trends, Cole Hamels, who actually has a higher ERA than Eaton since May 1, will look to snap out of a two-game skid and avoid a streak of his own Thursday.

Brett Myers pitches Wednesday.

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The Archive Files

Ken Griffey Jr. comes to town stuck on 599 - and content with his Hall of Fame career.

If you're looking for record-breaking home runs, you should just follow the footsteps of Reds skipper Dusty Baker, the witness to a lot of long ball history, writes Daily Times columnist Jack McCaffery.

Chase Utley collects player of the week honors and then continues his history-making season against the Reds.

If you haven't made your way to the park and your sole purpose was getting a chance to see history, you may want to save your car fuel.

Ken Griffey Jr. is out of the lineup for the second straight day.

He could, however, pinch hit and still collect career home run No.600.

But for now he'll be on the bench when Adam Eaton takes the hill for the Phils tonight.

Chase Utley tied a club record - for the second time this year - with five home runs in five games.

He has a MLB-best 21 home runs through 59 games, meaning he has 103 game left to hit 22 more to break the all-time mark for home runs in a single season by a second baseman (Davey Johnson, 1973; Rogers Hornsby, 1922).

Oh, and he made a pair or diving stabs with his glove, the last to end the game and help the Phillies win for the seventh time in eight games.

When I heard all the preseason talk about Utley being the NL MVP, I thought it was a cute, little media creation to cleanly gives the Phillies a three-peat (since Ryan Howard won in 2006, Jimmy Rollins in 2007).

But with apologies to Chipper Jones and Lance Berkman, Utley is the favorite in the clubhouse now. Granted, it's only June 2.

The power purge he's on is borderline ridiculous. He's only 11 away from tying his personal best of 32 home runs in a season.

11 home runs. I think he's hit that in this homestand.

I'm not sure what else to say. I can't wrap my head around Utley being able to hit 45 home runs, but it sure looks like he can do that by accident.

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The Archive Files

I had the day off yesterday, so I forgot post the Sunday notes column, where we're trying to get you to appreciate the MLB draft.

In Sunday's game story by Rob Parent, Moyer settles down and Jenkins delivers in the pinch.

Let's not forget veteran Jack McCaffrey's column, where he drops a great line pertaining to the Phillies penchant for home runs: By now, the guy who activates the Liberty Bell home-run display has so worn out his arm that he probably needs Tommy John surgery.

In the notes, Mike Lieberthal comes back to Philly and suits in the old red pinstripes.

And way back in Saturday's game story, Cole Hamels was hammered. Again.

Ken Griffey Jr., who is one shy of career home run No. 600, is out the Reds' starting lineup tonight at Citizens Bank Park.

Griffey said before the game it was due to "general soreness" and that he hoped to play Tuesday night.

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Another former No.1 pick was also held out action Monday -- Kris Benson, the former top pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, had another setback in his rehab with the Phillies.

Benson's start for the Clearwater Threshers was scratched with discomfort in his right bicep.


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Chase Utley was already named the NL Player of the Month in April.

Now the white-hot hitting second baseman has earned another honor: NL Player of the Week.

Utley, who is arguably the early favorite ahead of Houston's Lance Berkman and Atlanta's Chipper Jones for NL MVP honors, has hit .391 (9-for-23) with five home runs and 15 RBIs in the Phillies homestand that began a week ago.

The Phillies have won five of those six games.

Utley, who leads the major leagues with 20 home runs, became the fastest Phillie in franchise history to reach 20 homers when he went deep Sunday afternoon.