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Game chat: Phillies in Florida seeking sixth straight

Fresh off a four-game sweep of the Mets, Kyle Kendrick and the Phillies open up a three-game set against Sergio Mitre and the Marlins tonight in Miami, where they will be without the services of ace starter Cole Hamels for Sunday's game.

Is it asking too much to feel good about the Phillies for more than 24 hours? Hamels has reportedly suffered a setback during his latest bullpen session, experiencing discomfort in his pitching elbow. Originally diagnosed with a mild elbow strain and on the disabled list since Aug. 22, the Phillies will shut him down for a few more days. Adam Eaton will take Hamels' turn Sunday. Hopefully, the setback is nothing more than a precaution, but it’s often difficult to make heads or tails of these injury updates. I’m inclined to agree the Phils are better served taking a little more time here, handing the ball to Eaton and skipping the start in the pitchers' park. Hamels told MLB.com the discomfort was "minimal," while assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. reiterated there is no sign of ligament separation.

In lesser news, the Phillies traded Russell Branyan to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later. Branyan, 31, who was acquired by the club on Aug. 9, homered twice for the Phils, including a game-winning shot against Washington on Aug. 14. He was designated for assignment before the start of the Mets series to make room for Chase Utley.

Tonight’s matchup: Kyle Kendrick (7-3, 3.89 ERA) against Sergio Mitre (5-7, 4.30 ERA). Kendrick will be looking for his third-straight victory. Mitre has an 8.22 ERA in his last seven starts and allowed seven runs and 10 hits in six innings Saturday against Cincinnati. Florida, tied for last in the NL East with a 58-76 mark, has lost 13 of its last 15 games, including eight of nine at home.

Elsewhere, Tim Hudson and the Braves host John Maine and the Mets. Maine has been struggling for two months. Los Angeles is at San Diego. Colorado visits Arizona.

Beerleaguer for brunch: Pondering the intrepid Phils

The morning after their gut-check comeback over the Mets, the fearless feats of the Phightin' Phils seem even more miraculous.

What a game, and what an easy team to like. Despite the milk-toast efforts of the noncommittal front office, the men who put in the real work are making the most of the hand they’ve been dealt. It took stones to pull off what Jayson Werth did in the 9th, back-to-back steals against Billy Wagner, when the weight of the stadium would have crushed the legs of a lesser man. Then there were the opportunistic hits by Tadahito Iguchi, Pat Burrell and Chase Utley. Three stone-cold professionals getting the job done.

They’re all part of a greater whole, a group winning over the fans with their never-say-die attitude, but more importantly, the way in which they're winning. Yesterday made it 40 comeback wins this season, most in the Majors. That's well over half their wins; they're rescuing themselves most nights. Head to the parking lot early and you're cheating yourself out of the best part. It speaks to multiple traits: Poor pitching, a powerful offense and fortitude.

Phillies rock Wagner’s world, complete sweep of Mets

Chase Utley's one-out single off closer Billy Wagner scored the winning run in a thrilling, 11-10 roller-coaster victory at Citizens Bank Park.

Trailing 10-8 in the 8th, Met-killer Pat Burrell, who homered earlier in the contest, belted a solo shot off archenemy Wagner to pull the Phillies to within one. Then in the 9th off Wags, Jayson Werth led off the inning with a single to left, stole second and third with one out before scoring on Tadahito Iguchi's single to left. Iguchi then stole second and Jimmy Rollins was intentionally walked before Utley hit the game-winner.

Wow! The Mets, who led the NL East by six games before the series, now cling to a two-game advantage over the opportunistic Phils. Aaron Rowand and Ryan Howard each homered in a game the Phils once led 5-0, and later 8-5. Clay Condrey and Tom Gordon represented the good from the pitching staff, J.C. Romero and Jose Mesa (just because) the bad, Kyle Lohse, Geoff Geary and Antonio Alfonseca the ugly.

Beerleaguer: Words can only imitate the drama of games like these, but today’s discussion thread comes close. Readers shattered the previous Beerleaguer mark by over 600 comments with a total of 1,366 emotionally draining entries. Like the Phillies, everyone pitched in this series. Time to relax and savor the moment, before the Phillies continue their chase of the Mets tomorrow night.

Mission not yet accomplished as Phillies go for kill

A win today would mean the difference between a successful 6-4 home stand and a water-treading 5-5 finish. Complete the sweep and the Phils will draw two games behind the Mets, setting up a tight race with a month to go. A loss makes it a more manageable four-game lead for New York. Think they’ve accomplished something by taking 3-out-of-4? Think again. The biggest game of the season starts now. Starting matchup: Orlando Hernandez (9-4, 3.07) vs. Kyle Lohse (7-12, 4.47). Lineups are set: Utley in. Dobbs in. Werth in. Ruiz in. Time to settle it. [Live Boxscore]

Bucknor (S, 1): Interference call preserves Phillies win

With one out and men on the corners, Marlon Anderson's takeout slide was correctly ruled interference by second base umpire C.B. Bucknor, resulting in the third and final out in the Phils’ 3-2 win over the Mets.

In what's turned into the wildest series of the season, the Force was again with the Phillies. Endy Chavez would have scored from third and Tadahito Iguchi’s throw would have never been in time to double up Shawn Green's slow roller. Replays showed Anderson did in fact cheat and go up high with the body. The actual save went to Brett Myers, his 13th and possibly 13th best, but Bucknor earns the Beerleaguer save for making the correct call in the heat of battle.

Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins both homered. The wacky ending overshadowed a solid night of pitching by Jamie Moyer (12-10), who allowed eight hits, two runs and stuck out four in six innings of work. J.C. Romero, Tom Gordon and Myers each worked scoreless frames, with Bucknor earning the assist for the last one.

With the win, the Phils drew to three back of the Mets in the NL East. They try for the four-game sweep tomorrow afternoon. More tomorrow ...

Note: Bucknor was involved in an identical game-ending, first-and-third, one-out interference play at second in a 2004 game between Detroit and KC. Thanks to alert reader Burt for the heads up.

Game chat: Moyer tries to get back on track tonight

Opponents are hitting .357 off Jamie Moyer in the month off August. The 44-year-old left-hander tries to reverse his fortunes when he faces Oliver Perez and the Mets tonight at Citizens Bank Park.

Preview: Moyer (11-10, 5.16) has lasted seven innings only twice since June 5 and is trying to recover from two straight terrible outings, in which he allowed 16 runs, 13 of them earned. On the other side, Oliver Perez (12-8, 3.34) will try for his third-straight win. The twenty-six-year-old lefty finds himself among the league leaders in most of the good categories.

Beerleaguer power rankings (thru Aug. 28):
1. Chase Utley: Triple short of the cycle in return to lineup. Tied for league lead in hitting (.337). Trails only Barry Bonds in RC27 (9.31).

2. Cole Hamels: Since All-Star break: 2.96 ERA; 0.92 WHIP; .199 BAA. His injury flipped Phils from Dodgers-series favorites to underdogs and could still change course of homestand.

3. Jimmy Rollins: Ironman shortstop trails Jose Reyes by two innings for league lead at position (1,161) and is tied with Reyes for second in FPCT (.985). Five triples from a quadruple double (32 2B, 15 3B, 23 HR, 27 SB)

4. Ryan Howard: Rediscovering game-breaking swing just in time for the Mets. Only three strikeouts during homestand should save him from breaking all-time K mark. He has 85 RBIs since coming off the DL.

5. Brett Myers/Pat Burrell: Two new entries to the top five replace Aaron Rowand. Myers has converted each of his last eight save opportunities and ranks fourth among all MLB relievers in SO/9.0 IP with 12.05. Burrell is hitting .362 (55-152) with 12 HR and 39 RBIs in his last 46 games.

Howard sinks Mets in 10th; Phillies lead series 2-0

Ryan Howard’s walk-off, two-run homer sealed the deal as the Phillies snatched victory from the jaws of defeat 4-2 at Citizens Bank Park.

Summary: After Tom Glavine held the Phillies scoreless through seven innings, Jimmy Rollins greeted reliever Pedro Feliciano with a solo homer, making it 2-1 Mets. Feliciano would eventually walk Pat Burrell, who was lifted for pinch runner Shane Victorino. Vic would soon deliver a sequence straight from the Pinch Run Community College promotional video. One out later, Feliciano was replaced by Aaron Heilman to set up right-right with Aaron Rowand. Victorino immediately stole second and moved to third when Paul Lo Duca’s throw went into center. Rowand then tapped the ball 30 feet down the left-field line. David Wright waited for it to roll foul. It didn’t. By then, Victorino had already scooted past Wright and scored the tying run.

Howard stood tall in the game's final act, but the much-maligned Phillies’ bullpen was named Chevrolet Players of the Game. Geoff Geary, J.C. Romero and Brett Myers (W, 3-5) combined for 4 1-3 shutout frames. Myers pitched perfect 9th and 10th innings. Romero struck out the side in the 8th.

The Mets blew a strong outing by Glavine. Adam Eaton allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over 5 2-3 innings. The Mets scored their only runs on a second-deck, two-run shot by Carlos Delgado. Howard’s game-winner came off Guillermo Mota (L, 1-1, 6.36), who kept feeding the big man change-ups, got ahead in the count 1-2, then left one out over the plate for Howard’s 35th of the season.

Beerleaguer take: They showed lots of fight tonight. The Phils have not rescued many low-scoring games like these by outlasting the opposing bullpen. I did not see the middle frames, but it looked as though the Phillies were striking the ball pretty well off Glavine but had nothing to show for it. Howard is killing the ball so far this series, drilling another topspin shot to right that missed by only a few feet, the second time that’s happened in as many nights.

Let’s talk about Rollins now. He’s at 23 homers, 73 RBIs, 113 runs and 27 stolen bases. Wrap your head around that for a second. He’s talked the talk and walked the walk, especially against the Mets. Guys like Rollins and Howard weren't built to spend Octobers at home.

Tonight's attendance: 761 comments, a new single-entry record, breaking the old mark of 602 set Sept. 27, 2006 (Phils avoid choke in 14th and win 6-4 in Washington).

Game chat: Eaton makes first start since bruising ego

Adam Eaton went on the disabled list Aug. 12 with shoulder inflammation, as it's officially written. The struggling right-hander tries to find the spark and keep the momentum of last night going against Tom Glavine and the Mets. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Preview: Eaton (6.36 ERA) made a 40-pitch rehab appearance with Reading Friday and the ineffectiveness continued. Before going on the shelf, he was batting practice in his previous six starts (8.79 ERA). With September call-ups, Cole Hamels and J.D. Durbin all looming, a bad start tonight could be the last we see of Eaton in the rotation this season ... It took Tom Glavine (4.32 ERA) a long time to reach 300 wins, but he finally got over the hump and will try for win No. 302. Glavine is 4-0 over his last nine. The 41-year-old is 28-17 with a 3.78 ERA in 62 career starts versus the Phillies.

Roster move: Eaton in. Ennis out. Sounds like a dirty joke waiting to happen.

Carrasco rated top prospect of the week: After starting season shutout of Baseball America’s Prospect Hot Sheet for several weeks, Phillies farmhands have been making regular appearances lately. Yesterday they earned their first top billing. Carlos Carrasco, considered the team’s No. 1 prospect, received the honor after throwing a rain-shortened six-inning no-hitter Aug. 21. The 20-year-old right-hander had been struggling since his Double-A call-up, so hopefully he’s on track. “He worked himself into trouble with some walks, some base hits,” a scout told Baseball America, “but I was most impressed with his ability to hit another level and get the ground ball or the strikeout when he needed it against a pretty good team. We’ve all been waiting to see it since he got (to Double-A) and it’s been disappointing. It’s not disappointing anymore.”

Joining Carrasco on the list is teammate Mike Costanzo, the Phillies first overall pick in the 2005 draft. The third baseman is having another great August, hitting .381/.471/.631 for the month. Costanzo leads the Eastern League in homers (25), runs scored (89) and ranks fourth in RBIs with 80.

Carpenter throws seven-inning perfect game: The Phillies are in the hunt to make it two-straight Hot Sheet top billings following a seven-inning perfect game by Andrew Carpenter in Clearwater’s 2-0 win over Ft. Worth Monday. Carpenter struck out seven and improved to 16-6 (3.27 ERA) in 26 games. Carpenter, a 2006 second-round pick out of powerhouse Long Beach State, leads the Florida State League in wins, innings and ranks seventh in ERA. Looks like another good one.

Fall league roster set: According to the team Web site, the Phillies will send seven players to Peoria of the Arizona Fall League: Pitchers Joe Bisenius, J.A. Happ, Scott Mathieson, Josh Outman and first-round pick Joe Savery. Joining them will be catcher Lou Marson, third baseman Mike Costanzo and outfielder Greg Golson. Ottawa Lynx skipper John Russell will manage the squad. The Fall league did wonders for Mathieson two years ago – he was rated as the league’s best pitcher. I’m concerned about Bisenius, who’s had an injury-plagued season. It seems like a lot of excess pitching. He went there last season and broke down by May. Happ, Outman and Savery round out a trio of arms with bright futures.

Phillies mash Mets 9-2; Chase Utley homers in return

"The Real Deal" J.D. Durbin pitched 6 1-3 solid innings and set a career high with six strikeouts, but the night belonged to Chase Utley, who roared off the disabled list with a 3-for-5 performance including a bullet home run to left-center.

In front of a packed house and electric atmosphere, the Phillies took the first of four in first-rate fashion. Not to be outdone by Utley, making his first start since undergoing hand surgery a month ago, Jayson Werth went 4-for-4 and has now hit safely in nine of his last nine at bats, the first Phillie to do so since the 1950s. Pat Burrell continued his hot hitting with a 2-for-4 night including a two-run homer. The Phillies laced 17 hits, including 10 off Mets' starter Brian Lawrence (L, 1-2, 6.31)

Durbin (W, 6-3, 5.14) didn’t allow a base runner until the fifth inning, retiring hitters with a crisp breaking ball and best command of the season. The 25-year-old right-hander, who’s trying to stick in the Phillies' rotation, forced 10 groundouts without surrendering a walk.

Tadahito Iguchi drove the nail in the Mets' coffin with a pinch-hit three-run homer that scored Chris Coste. Besides the home run, Utley also hit his 42nd double, which sets the franchise mark for second basemen. The Phillies pulled to five back of the Mets in the NL East and will try to keep rolling when they hand the ball to Adam Eaton tomorrow night.

Phillies open defining series with Mets; Utley returns

Brian Lawrence and J.D. Durbin take center stage when the curtain opens on a crucial four-game series between the front-running Mets and second-place Phillies. Meanwhile, Chase Utley is in and Russell Branyan is out, according to the pregame notes.

Series matchups: Tonight: Lawrence (1-1, 5.57) vs. Durbin (5-3, 5.44) Tuesday: Tom Glavine (11-6, 4.32) vs. Adam Eaton (9-8, 6.36) Wedensday: Perez (12-8, 3.34) vs. Moyer (11-10, 5.16) Thursday: Hernandez (9-4, 3.07) vs. Lohse (7-12, 4.47)

Reader previews: “A split amounts to a Mets series win. These matchups are about as bad as I've seen and given the quality of the bullpen, it's going to be up to the offense to generate at least six runs a game to have any hope of winning this series. This series is truly the defining moment of the 2007 season for the Phillies.” – clout

“It is going to take a combination of the Mets faltering and the Phils overachieving for the Phils to possibly take three or four right now. The tough part is that the Padres are going to go through the most difficult part of their remaining schedule over the next 10 days. I just don't see how the Phils are going to keep pace let alone actually make up any real ground.” – MG

“The Phils are looking uphill this week with Glavine, Perez and El Duque starting the final three games of the series; they have to tattoo Lawrence tonight, get into the bullpen, and then hope it's hot enough that 40-somethings Glavine and Hernandez get tired and Perez loses his command.  Sadly, the Phils pitching is so ragged right now that they could score six or seven runs in a couple of these games and still lose.” – dajafi

Mets series primer: Beerleaguer Q&A with Metsblog

Editor's note: The following Q&A will be posted on Metsblog later today, but also works as a state-of-the-Phillies post. Enjoy.

Metsblog: How big of a loss was Chase Utley to this lineup? Is there a one-to-one correlation between his absence and Ryan Howard's struggles?

Beerleaguer: A player of Utley’s enormity is impossible to replace. He's the team's best player. Before he went down, he was on pace to break the all-time single-season mark for extra base hits. He probably would have finished with 66 doubles and 27 homers. We’re talking about a legitimate MVP candidate who’s still in the running despite missing all this time.

Since July 27 when Utley went down with the broken hand, the Phillies have survived because Utley’s replacement, Tadahito Iguchi, has fit in well, Pat Burrell has stayed hot and the guys at the bottom of the lineup have contributed here and there. They went on a short-lived run, but the tank is getting dry, particularly the last two series with the Dodgers and Padres, both 1-2 losses, games when they struggled to mount a consistent attack, excluding yesterday’s 14-2 rout.

With Utley out, it’s one less dangerous hitter surrounding Ryan Howard, so pitchers are less likely to stay honest with the big guy. The main issue with Howard is that’s he’s swinging at slop and getting himself out. He’ll finish August with about 40 strikeouts and challenge Adam Dunn’s all-time season record. I don’t know whether he’s trying to do too much with Utley out or that he’s simply lost. When he stays patient and gets his pitch, all he has to do is stay on the ball and drop the bat head on it. I’m inclined to say Howard’s struggles are Howard’s fault.

Metsblog: Is the plan to put Iguchi at third base when Utley comes back?

Beerleaguer: Management has dismissed it, citing he’s never played the position and the club can’t afford to experiment this late in the season. But I’d love to find out. They have an opportunity to extend Iguchi beyond 2007 and third base is an area they need to upgrade. Utley is due back tonight, so Iguchi’s formidable presence goes on the bench. With Shane Victorino out with a calf injury, Iguchi has been a nice fit in the No. 2 hole.

Metsblog: Explain the turnaround of Pat Burrell.

Beerleaguer: Nothing has changed more since the last time these teams met than the resurgence of Pat the Bat, who’s upped his numbers to .904 OPS, 20 homers, 70 RBIs. Some believe this is the first time Burrell has been truly healthy in years. He’s been slowed by a nagging foot problem for several seasons. Maybe it's that he sees a light at the end of his contract and knows his career has reached the second act. Maybe the light went on.

Whether that's it or not, Burrell is in a good groove: Real loose at the plate; attacking pitches he would have been taking two months ago; staying on the ball. Yesterday he smashed a deep double to dead-away center, reaching down and tagging one down in the zone. He’s had some gorgeous, fluid swings lately.

Metsblog: Could Cole Hamels have went down at a worse time?

Beerleaguer: No. It screwed up some nice pitching matchups for the Dodgers series and the Mets will also avoid him. This is a pivotal homestand, which includes games against the division leader and Wild Card leader. Not the time to lose your No. 1. Some people were thinking the Phils had an opportunity to sweep LA and instead saw J.D. Durbin replace Hamels against Derek Lowe, then go with 22-year-old Fabio Castro in the rubber match against Chad Billingsley. Hamels didn’t impact the Padres series, which they blew despite missing Chris Young and Jake Peavy.

The latest report says Hamels will return from the 15-day DL on schedule and has no structural damage in his elbow.

Metsblog: On a scale of 1 to 10, what's your level of confidence in the abilities of the bullpen to close out games?

Beerleaguer:  About a 1 or a 2. The Phillies are 2-33 in games in which they score three runs or fewer, according to ESPN.com. The bullpen has too many marginal players and veteran burnouts. We use the term "Value Village" on Beerleaguer because the Phillies have turned to the waiver wire, kicked over large rocks and explored dark caves for their pitching. They’ve all been exposed. Tom Gordon is cooked. He doesn't have a curveball anymore. Jose Mesa was cooked before he arrived. J.C. Romero is exposed. You can’t stay consistent with a bullpen of stiffs and marginal players with no stuff and no command.

Metsblog: With the recent losing streak, is there a bit of frustration that recent Phillies teams seem to follow a similar narrative annually?

Beerleaguer: You might be surprised there’s been less frustration this season and more understanding that the players are busting their butts. There's even a growing legion of people who believe Charlie Manuel has earned manager of the year.

They were dealt a bad hand, not only with injuries, but management hasn’t given them the best opportunity to win. They made several crippling decisions with their rotation (Adam Eaton, Freddy Garcia), but there’s no better way to illustrate this than the opening day bullpen. I can’t stress the issue enough. Along with Gordon, who was to be the closer despite the warning signs, the back of the bullpen started as Geoff Geary, who’s been demoted twice, Ryan Madson, who’s hurt, and left-hander Matt Smith, who you never heard of because he was demoted in May and is out with Tommy John surgery. These were the four pitchers who were originally slated to close games and help win a World Series, a group so bad the manager had to convert his No. 1 starter to reliever in April to help stop the bleeding.

Metsblog: Which Met would you rather see at-bat in a close and late situation: Jose Reyes or Carlos Beltran?

Beerleaguer:  They’re both dangerous; I like them both. I’m always very impressed with Reyes. You probably have the better insight about "close and late." I said earlier that Reyes was the most impressive player I’ve seen all season, but his numbers have been tailing since then. Beltran gives you a better chance to change a game in one swing. I have no read either way.

Audio: Brett Myers' altercation with reporter posted

KYW-1060 AM caught the brouhaha between Phillies reliever Brett Myers and Inquirer reporter Sam Carchidi on tape. The incident occurred after last night's game between the Phillies and Padres, in which Myers allowed two home runs in the ninth inning. Tempers flared when Myers and Carchidi disagreed on whether the home runs were cheap Citizens Bank Park specials. Listen here.

Beerleaguer take: I don't envy the professionals who trek into the clubhouse after games like Saturday's and face what Carchidi faced last night. I work hard to write and maintain Beerleaguer, but I can do so at home or in office space, talk to no one and complete the job on my own terms. Nobody will ever threaten bodily harm, five minutes until deadline.

For starters, it was an awkward exchange because Myers threw the question back at Carchidi about the home runs. At that point, Carchidi could either lie through his teeth and agree with Myers or give his honest opinion and subject himself to a rebuttal.

Myers made it very personal, but it wasn't an appropriate reaction by Carchidi, either. Let's be clear. He made it personal, too. Nevertheless, I'm sure some of the city's journalists are holding their heads a little higher because of it. Reading his bio, Carchidi has been in the business since 1975. He doesn't have to let anyone talk to him that way, and certainly not someone of Myers' character.

None of this changes the fact that everyone already knows Myers is a classless bully with an ugly history. There's just no hiding or denying it.

Misery loves company: Readers discuss woeful Phils

The Phillies blew another one last night in what is believed to be the 22nd loss directly attributable to the bullpen. The Phils try to avoid the sweep this afternoon when Kyle Kendrick toes the rubber.

I didn't watch the game, which is becoming a progressively sensible choice. However, many readers tuned in and participated in a passionate Saturday night therapy session down in the comments thread. I urge everyone to review the gin-soaked discussion two posts below. It’s the best running dialogue of the season.

Andy complimented starter Kyle Lohse for throwing a nice array of pitches with excellent varied location for strikes ... and that would about do it for the positive comments. The rest scorched the bullpen, Pat Gillick and the team's fading playoff hopes.

Mike H. put Brett Myers’ night in perspective, ranking the Phillies’ closer a humble 10th among the game’s elite stoppers. The back and forth on Myers continues. As President of the Myers for Closer Fan Club, I reminded readers he’s learning on the job, had zero prep time and went from a winter hearing he was the new staff ace to becoming a closer three games into the season. Nevertheless, my platform takes another hit with Myers' rough night.

Then there’s Tom Gordon. First-ballot Hall of Fame poster, MG, pulled no punches:

“Gordon is completely shot and is a shell of the pitcher he even was last year. His curveball doesn't have the same bit and he can't even throw it for a strike consistently anymore.

“Plus, his fastball doesn't have the late life it you used. Even when he was with the Yanks, Gordon could dial it up to 94 or so when he needed. That is not the case anymore. Gordon is lucky to even hit 90 or 91 now. Just not sufficient for a reliever.

“The Phils are kidding themselves and lying to their fans if they expect Gordon to contribute in any substantial way either this season or next year. Gordon's torn labrum isn't going to get any better without surgery so I don't see how an offseason of rest will improve things. He will just see a ton of time on the DL again next year with periods of ineffectiveness.”

John Ennis/Brian Sanches: Before yesterday’s game, the Phillies recalled right-hander John Ennis from Triple-A Ottawa and designated Brian Sanches for assignment. Ennis, 27, was 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA and a 78/31 K/BB ratio in 36 games (83 innings), most recently as a starter. This is his third assignment to the Majors; the first was a spot start with Atlanta back in 2002 and the second came in 2004 when he made 12 relief appearances with Detroit.

I have no idea how Ennis will do, but I'm delighted the Phillies finally gave the great Sanches experiment a rest. With his instant DFA, Sanches makes it four or five poor call-ups in a month. Here today. Gone tomorrow. Again.

I wrote on this issue last night around 1 a.m. and will repeat it here. The Phillies called up Sanches, right, knowing dang well he wouldn't be used in the late innings of close games. He’s just another mop up guy. There are two problems with that. First, they already have two mop up guys in Geoff Geary and Clay Condrey. Second: Sanches is not a mop up guy. He's a Triple-A closer. He rarely goes long innings, and never has the ball in the middle of a game.

So why bring him up? What purpose was he supposed to serve? They use him two innings Friday night, no surprise he got bombed ... and they cut him! What did they expect?

Inquirer stuff: Bob Ford believes Charlie Manuel is manager of the year. Reporter Sam Carchidi traded verbal jabs with Myers after the game. Myers had to be restrained by Pat Burrell.

Three runs or fewer futility: The Phillies are 2-33 in games in which they score three runs or fewer, according to ESPN.com.

Game chat: Tim Stauffer (0-0, 17.18) against Kyle Kendrick (6-3, 4.06). Winnable game. Stauffer leads the league in having a name that sounds like someone from Berks County, Pennsylvania. Mash your fists against the keyboard here, in the company of others.

Game chat: Phillies try to avoid losing fourth straight

The struggling Phils turn to right-hander Kyle Lohse (7-12, 4.61 ERA) for some much-needed pitching help when they host the Padres in the second of three at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is 7:05 ET.

Preview: Clay Hensley (2-3, 6.70 ERA) makes his first start since being recalled from the minor leagues. Hoping to gain ground in the playoff race, the Phillies have instead dropped three of four. Jamie Moyer was the latest to be roughed up, looking as though the league has caught up with him. With the embarrassing 14-3 loss, the Phillies fell six back of the Mets and three back of the Padres. It hasn't been the homestand fans had hoped for, to say the least, ruined by an overexposed bullpen, slumping hitters and better efforts from the opposition.

Game chat: Padres arrive leading Phillies by 2 in WC

Admit it: It would be easier to write off the injury-plagued, bullpen-deprived season as a lost cause. The trouble is the pedestrian National League isn’t letting it happen. Like it or not, a weekend sweep would bump the Phils into the Wild Card lead.

Preview: It was a frustrating, buzzkilling week to be a Phillies fan, but after recovering from yesterday's bullpen bender, the sun is (almost) shining and there’s still plenty of baseball to look forward to. First, it’s only Aug. 24 and they’re right in the mix. They send three capable arms to the mound this series in Jamie Moyer, Kyle Lohse and Kyle Kendrick, while missing Chris Young and Jake Peavy, the Padres’ All-Star right-handers. They’ll draw Clay Hensley, who had been in the minors, and Wilfredo Ledezma, a reliever who’s only started once this season.

If all goes well, they’ll get Chase Utley back for the Mets series. The damage sounds minimal to Cole Hamels; they’ll get him back for September. I still don’t think there’s an odds-on favorite in the WC race, and the Mets aren't a lock to take the East.

This is obviously a huge series, starting with a veteran showdown between Greg Maddux (9-9, 3.90 ERA) and Jamie Moyer (11-9, 4.97 ERA). Moyer tries to rebound after allowing nine hits and seven earned runs in a four-inning drubbing in Steel City.

Beer nuts: Bullpen wretched as Phils fall to Dodgers

There's lots to talk about this morning, so let's get down to the nitty gritty.

-- The Dodgers allowed Fabio Castro to keep it close yesterday, not the other way around. Castro walked six batters in five innings and was helped by guys swinging at balls well out of the zone. The Phillies got away with making a big mistake with Castro.

-- Recognizing he was no good, the Phillies already demoted Castro to Triple-A Ottawa. Right-hander Brian Sanches has been recalled. Feel free to speak up if you’re just a little tired of watching the revolving door of pitching futility spin round and round. Sanches has given up 11 homers in 34 innings this season and has proven numerous times to be ineffective in the bigs. The Phillies have no depth, but there must be some other way to think outside the box.

-- Geoff Geary represents the most recent pitcher to spin through the revolving door. On the stat sheet, he threw a two-inning, one-hit shutout yesterday, lowering his ERA .23 points. In real life, he killed any chance for the Phillies to get back in the game.

-- Tom Gordon pitched the eighth inning, faced four batters and couldn’t retire a single one. Along with Geary, Ryan Madson, who’s hurt, and Matt Smith, who's out with Tommy John surgery, these were the four pitchers who were originally slated to close out games and help win a World Series.

-- Time to give credit, and that credit goes to Chad Billingsley, who was superb. The 23-year-old's fastball was the best I’ve seen this season, painting the black and dialing it up to mid-high 90s late in the contest. After the game, Aaron Rowand conceded they were simply beaten by the better man.

-- Ryan Howard is still swinging at slop. Nothing more to say, except now the manager seems to be outwardly frustrated by it.

-- Chase Utley and Adam Eaton will make rehab appearances with Reading. Eaton will start the first game of Friday's doubleheader and is expected to throw 40 pitches. Utley is scheduled to play either first or second base in the first game of today’s doubleheader and be the designated hitter in the nightcap. He's expected to play second base on Saturday. This is actually Utley's first appearance in Reading. He skipped Double-A while in the minors.

-- Reposting from the previous thread, all this unrest about Brett Myers being converted to a reliever, Gordon, etc. falls back on the GM, who didn't prepare the team with an adequate bullpen.

Downplay the role of elite closers all you want and keep believing innings 1 through 9 are all the same and relievers can be shaken from trees and unearthed from rocks to finish games. I'll side with players, managers, GMs and the modern history of baseball by believing they're pretty vital elements, hard to find and that the game becomes more of a mental exercise once it becomes tight and late.

The Phillies were so flip about this part of their game this offseason, they were forced to scour the waiver wire and soon needed to converted their No. 1 starter to reliever after a 4-11 start, which was almost entirely due to an ineffective bullpen. Those are the facts. You could also argue that every move they've made to address the 'pen has failed, in one form or another, just to give some indication how difficult it is to find relief. It's also worth mentioning the Myers move was made back when most everyone believed the Phillies had five capable options in the rotation.

Game chat: Phils place series in the hands of Castro

Left-hander Fabio Castro makes his first Major League start this afternoon as the Phillies try to salvage a series win from the wreckage against Chad Billingsley and the Dodgers. Game time is 1:05 p.m.

Preview: Expectations are so low that a victory today would qualify as the upset of the season. The last time we saw Castro, he couldn’t find the strike zone pitching as a left-handed reliever. The Phillies like his arm, but most readers are expecting the 22-year-old to be in over his head and to be chased early. Surprise us, Fabio. In the wacky world of baseball, anything can happen. Unfamiliarity is on your side, and let's hope the bats are there for you, too. Most of the lineup is struggling, but none greater than cleanup hitter Ryan Howard. For the Dodgers, right-hander Chad Billingsley (7-4, 3.63 ERA) brings a five-start winless streak into the game. The Phillies rattled him up the last time the teams met.

On the transaction front, reliever Geoff Geary has been summoned from Triple-A Ottawa and Chris Roberson has been demoted. With Shane Victorino’s return, Roberson was redundant, but the Phils are obviously preparing for the worst with Castro by adding another mop-up guy, which is all Geary is.

Lineups are in: Greg Dobbs starts at third, with Jayson Werth starting in right. Last night may have been too much, too soon for Victorino. Carlos Ruiz will catch Castro. [Live Boxscore]

Honeymoon ending for Howard as Phillies lose 15-3

The Phillies couldn't solve Derek Lowe, and the Dodgers eventually caught up with J.D. Durbin, but last night’s top story finds fan rapport with reigning MVP Ryan Howard becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

Readers identified last night’s loss as something of a familiar marker in Philadelphia, when expectations, impatience and an underperforming star collide in prickly fashion. Boos rained down hard on Howard in the bottom of the sixth inning, two outs, when he grounded out to second with runners at first and third, en route to an 0-for-3 night at the plate.

The slugger is mired in one of the worst slumps of his career at a time when the lineup can least afford it. He’s demonstrated almost no patience these last few weeks, chasing outside and off-speed slop instead of digging in and keeping pitchers honest.

Getting Chase Utley back will help take the pressure off No. 6, who wasn’t the only player who struggled. Lowe, who earned his 10th win, collected 15 groundouts; the Phils managed just six hits on the night. Pitching-wise, Durbin matched Lowe groundout-for-groundout until Jeff Kent opened the wound with a sixth-inning double, leading to a three-run frame. Jose Mesa and Clay Condrey imploded for 10 earned runs through the final third. By then, the game was well in Dodger hands.

Game chat: Durbin fills in for ailing Hamels tonight

J.D. Durbin (5-2, 3.98 ERA) and Derek Lowe (9-11, 3.45 ERA) duke it up in the second of three between the Phillies and Dodgers, tonight at 7:05 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Shane Victorino is listed in today's game notes, suggesting Cole Hamels has been placed on the DL.

While one high-profile Phillies appears to be headed to the shelf, team doctor Michael Ciccotti announced that Chase Utley should be ready for a rehab assignment this weekend, and then return against the Mets (AP report). It was also reported that Michael Bourn might be back in two-to-three weeks, Mike Zagurski is likely out for the season, Ryan Madson might return for the final week of the season and Adam Eaton will throw in a bullpen session today.

Hamels update: Todd Zolecki passes along good news: An MRI of Hamels' elbow revealed no ligament damage and the injury is being called a mild strain. He has been placed on the DL and is expected to miss only two starts. Fabio Castro will start tomorrow, not Saturday. As indicated, Victorino has been activated and will start tonight and bat sixth.

Phillies.com: Fabio Castro listed as Saturday's starter

The 22-year-old left-hander appeared in five games earlier this season, all in relief. The former Rule 5 pick would fill the void left by Cole Hamels and match up with San Diego's Greg Maddux. [Link]

It’s difficult to determine what the Phillies are shooting for here. The club had been stretching Castro as a starter in Triple-A Ottawa, but his longest outing was six innings and he started only six times. In stops with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Ottawa, he’s 7-5 with a 3.50 ERA and 67/36 K/BB ratio, the better numbers coming at Reading. The last we saw of Castro, he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.

The announcement was listed in tonight's game preview on Phillies.com, but nowhere else as of this posting. So perhaps Castro is just a place-holder. Left-hander J.A. Happ, whose turn falls Saturday, had been mentioned here and elsewhere as a fill-in candidate and has the hottest hand at Ottawa. Adam Eaton is on the 15-day DL retroactive to Aug. 11, but I have no clue whether he can come off the DL Saturday, which would be the 15th day. I doubt it. If he can, and if he's healthy, Eaton would be a better option than Castro, right?

Actually, the best option would be to wake up and forget this little Hamels nightmare ever happened.

Everybody hurts, boo-hoo: Sore elbow shelves ace

The Phillies have announced that Cole Hamels will miss Wednesday's start with a mild left elbow strain and could possibly be sidelined three weeks. The list of injured Phillies is now too many to count.

A preliminary exam revealed a mild medial elbow strain. An MRI will be administered tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury. J.D. Durbin will start for Hamels tomorrow night against the Dodgers. Team doctor Michael Ciccotti said he could miss anywhere from one to three weeks. Hamels said he started feeling discomfort eight days ago, but was able to pitch through the pain Thursday in Washington.

Beerleaguer: On a scale of 1 to 10, my level of surprise falls around 4. Hamels is on pace to surpass his season high for innings and is at an age when many young pitchers are still being weaned in the minors. I cautioned readers about this Thursday and apologize for the jinx. Hope a pray the MRI reveals nothing significant.

With Hamels out, the most important pitcher becomes Brett Myers, as we saw tonight. The Phillies hope to receive quality innings from their starters, a la Kyle Kendrick this evening, and bridge the gap to their closer. If they can win tomorrow's Derek Lowe vs. Durbin, it would be a huge boost.

The best way to minimize the loss of Hamels is to win all the other ones, to dial up the pitching and bludgeon opponents into submission with their bats. They also need to execute. The best play of the night: Kendrick’s third-inning bunt to move Carlos Ruiz to third, setting up a sac fly to close the gap to one run.

Game chat: Rain lingering for start of Dodgers series

Satellite images show scattered precipitation lasting throughout the evening. If the weather holds, Kyle Kendrick (5-3, 3.94 ERA) tries for his first win in four starts against Brett Tomko (2-10, 5.67 ERA) and the Dodgers. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Homestand preview: Rather than rewrite something that’s already been written, the Reading Eagle provided a tight little homestand preview, as follows:

Despite a bunch of injuries, numerous slumps and questionable decisions, the Philadelphia Phillies have remained in playoff contention. The next 10 days figure to go a long way in determining whether they can stay there. The Phillies go into tonight just a game out of the National League wild card lead as they open a 10-game homestand with the first of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers (64-60). The San Diego Padres (66-57) will next be at Citizens Bank Park for a three-game weekend series, followed by the NL East-leading New York Mets (70-53) for a four-game series beginning next Monday. The Phillies trail the Mets by five games.

“We have to have a winning homestand,” manager Charlie Manuel told Phillies.com following the team’s lost weekend at Pittsburgh. The Phillies blew a 4-0 first-inning lead in an 11-6 loss to the Pirates Saturday, then coughed up a 4-0 lead with two outs in the seventh in an 8-4 loss Sunday. Not the best way to go into the season’s most crucial stretch.

“We want to come back ready to go,” first baseman Ryan Howard said Sunday. “(We need to) forget about this weekend and get after it. You don’t want to add pressure to yourself, but everybody knows what’s at stake.” It would be nice for the Phillies if Howard could get it going again. The reigning NL MVP is hitting just .121 in the Phillies’ last nine games with one home run, six RBIs and 15 strikeouts in 38 plate appearances. He’s hitting .185 in the 22 games since second baseman Chase Utley went on the disabled list.

Pitching matchups: Tonight: Tomko (2-10, 5.67) vs. Kendrick (5-3, 3.94) Wednesday: Derek Lowe (9-11, 3.45) vs. Cole Hamels (14-5, 3.50): Thursday: Chad Billingsley (7-4, 3.63) vs. J.D. Durbin (5-2, 5.36).

Beerleaguer series preview: Since their hot start, the Dodgers have fallen back and trail the stunning Diamondbacks and pitching-powerful Padres in the NL West. I'm not afraid to call the Dodgers the worst team in the division right now, and that would include the last-place Giants and buzz-worthy Rockies. The Dodgers are playing like a mediocre ballclub, bogged down by a below-average lineup.

On the whole, this could feel like a series with the Nationals. They don't put up numbers, but can smother the opposition with pitching. I’m not particularly afraid of any of the pitchers this series, although Lowe has pitched the Phils tough in the past. Hamels can certainly cancel him out tomorrow night. Billingsley is exactly the type of hard-throwing right-hander the Phils can handle, as they did the last time they met.

Since the Phils are an alleged playoff contender, let's set the bar a little higher. Sweep the Dodgers. People are talking about a 7-3 homestand. Well, an opening sweep would be one way to start it. Make a statement. Light 'em up. It’s asking a lot, but if they're serious, turn on the jets. Can they do it? As always, it's about pitching.

Hand specialist clears Utley to start swinging the bat

All-Star second baseman Chase Utley, on the disabled list since July 27 with a broken hand, was given a green light to take batting practice yesterday.

While a timetable for his return has not been set, it would appear that Utley is on pace to arrive before the month is out. Most estimates predicted a five-week return. Utley is hitting .336 with 17 homers and 82 RBIs and is still considered a strong candidate for NL MVP despite the setback. Since the injury, the Phillies have held their own, going 13-9 since Utley was plunked on the hand by Washington’s John Lannan.

Hernandez goes on DL; Castro recalled: After appearing in one game, right-hander Yoel Hernandez was placed on the DL with a sore right shoulder. Hernandez was recalled from Ottawa Sunday to replace Mike Zagurski, who’s out with a bad hammy.

The Phillies have called up 22-year-old left-hander Fabio Castro from Ottawa, where the Phillies had been stretching him out as a starter, trying to iron out his control problems. In 69 1-3 innings between Ottawa and Reading, he has a 3.50 ERA and 67/36 K/BB ratio.

Like the Russell Branyan move, this transaction falls under the “why didn’t they just do it the first time” category. The Phillies needed a left-hander. Hernandez doesn’t fill a need and hadn’t been pitching particularly well. Not that I'm expecting Castro to be lights out. There's a growing school of thought down in our comments section that believes Castro could have been Adam Eaton's replacement in the starting rotation. I do not share that belief. They will be lucky if Castro can pitch one pressure-free inning unscathed.

Beer nuts: DSL Phillies riding 19-game winning streak

Chris Kline of Baseball America alerts the world that Friday's win over the Athletics makes it 19-consecutive victories for the Dominican Summer League Phillies. [Link]

Winning is a part of development, and the youngest branch of the minor leagues is getting a good taste of success. The DSL Phillies, mostly 16 and 17-year-old players, are 42-17 this season. According to Kline, 16-year-old right-hander Reginal Simon is the best of the bunch pitching-wise. The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder throws a three-pitch mix including a 86-90 fastball. Seventeen-year-old center fielder Leandro Castro is rated as the club’s best position player and is hitting .281/.363/.429 with six homers and 37 RBIs in 210 at-bats.

Ricky Ledee retires: Once thought to be the next Mickey Mantle, 33-year-old outfielder Ricky Ledee has called it quits, according to the New York Daily News. In 10 seasons with seven clubs, Ledee finished as a .243/.325/.412 hitter with 63 homers and 318 RBIs. He spent 2002-2004 in a Phillies’ uniform, before being traded to the Giants midway through ’04. His career flamed out in 2006 with the Dodgers and Mets. He had been playing for Triple-A New Orleans (Mets). When the Phillies blogosphere was in its genesis, writers considered Ledee an underrated commodity.

Byrd update: Did anyone catch who the cleanup hitter was Saturday night in the Rangers’ 5-0 win over Minnesota? That would be former Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd, who went 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs. The 29-year-old former top prospect is hitting .314/.361/.468 with five homers and has taken over as the club’s center fielder since the Kenny Lofton trade (another former Phillies outfielder).

Injury updates: The Phillies have had 16 players go on the disabled list since the start of Spring Training. Chase Utley can be counted as the most vital cog currently sidelined. He’ll see a hand specialist today, and if everything checks out, could return by the end of the home stand. Shane Victorino will begin a rehab assignment in Lakewood and could return shortly. Adam Eaton is long tossing. Rod Barajas is rehabbing in Lakewood. With Chris Coste hitting well, Barajas could still be traded, but interest would appear limited to the rival Mets. Mike Zagurski strained his hamstring and will see a specialist. Michael Bourn is off his crutches. Scott Mathieson was moved from the GCL to Clearwater, where he pitched yesterday. Francisco "Remember Me" Rosario is in Clearwater.

Seven-run seventh sinks Phillies’ chance of series win

The runs were there, the rest of it wasn't. As a result, the Phillies dropped two-out-of-three to the National League’s worst team in an ugly weekend of baseball.

Well, the good news is they avoided a rainout. The bad news is they avoided a rainout. For the second straight day, the Phillies blew a big lead. Cushioned by a 4-0 advantage, Kyle Lohse cruised through his first six frames. Then in the seventh, the right-hander fell victim to the Revenge of Matt Kata. Yes, that Matt Kata, whom Phillies’ scouts once eyed for some reason. The utility something-or-other roped a three-run double into left-center. What looked like an effortless win was starting to unravel.

Charlie Manuel’s decision to leave Lohse in for Kata – a .132 hitter against lefthanders – would prove costly, but the reinforcements fared even worse. With the score 4-3 Phillies, J.C. Romero surrendered a tying double to left-handed hitter Nate McLouth. Righthander Antonio Alfonseca replaced Romero and walked Jack Wilson, gave up an RBI double to Freddy Sanchez and, after an intentional walk to Adam LaRoche, allowed a two-run hit by Xavier Nady.

And just like that, the Pirates picked the series win from the Phillies’ back pocket. With the loss, coupled by the Mets’ sweep in Washington, the Phils fell to five back of the division and one back of the NL Wild Card.

So, what have we learned this weekend? When it comes to middle relief, less is more. You don’t want the ball in the hands of guys like Alfonseca, Romero and Jose Mesa more than absolutely necessary. That makes it tricky because you never, ever want it in the hands of the rookies. Ideally, Mike Zagurski and his replacement, Yoel Hernandez, would be in Triple-A.

As for the rotation, we saw a 44-year-old junkballer get lit up. That’s to be expected from time to time. Lohse carries a reputation for blow-up innings, and we saw it yesterday.

Turning to the offense, we learned that Abraham Nunez has no business starting games this late in the season. There are no less than three others who can hold their own at third. Nunez murdered Saturday night's affair at bat and in the field. As for Ryan Howard, the off day couldn't have come any sooner.

Sunday open thread: Phillies set sights on series win

The Phillies didn't get the pitching they needed from Jamie Moyer, and an untimely GIDP and throwing error from Abraham Nunez in the top and bottom of the fifth inning didn't help matters. This afternoon, right-handers Kyle Lohse (7-12, 4.57 ERA) and Ian Snell (7-10, 3.87 ERA) square off in the final game of the series. Game time is 1:35 p.m. ET.

Game chat: Left-handers meet in series' second game

The Phillies hope to stay atop the Wild Card standings and keep pace with the Mets in the division race when Jamie Moyer (11-8, 4.68 ERA) shares the mound with Paul Maholm (8-14, 4.38 ERA) tonight at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Game time is 7:05 p.m. ET.

Phillies top Pirates 11-8, earn share of Wild Card lead

Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand homered, and J.D. Durbin allowed three runs and four hits in six innings for his fifth win, as the Phils rolled over the Buccos in the series opener.

All aboard the Jimmy Rollins for MVP bandwagon. J-Roll set the table with a 3-for-6 night, which included a pair of doubles and three runs scored. The Phillies shortstop also executed a highlight-reel defense play. Rollins is five triples away from the rare feat of 20 or more triples, doubles, homers and stolen bases in a season. Only Willie Mays has done it. Detroit’s Curtis Granderson is working on the same feat. J-Roll may not be the front-runner for MVP, but he's certainly churning up some buzz.

Durbin (5-2, 5.36 ERA) made it work in place of damaged starter Adam Eaton, although the offense again supplied the Real Deal with plenty of wiggle room. The Phillies received multi-hit performances from J-Roll, Tadahito Iguchi, Burrell, Rowand, Jayson Werth and Chris Coste. Burrell and Rowand knocked in three, while Iguchi and Coste pushed across two. Ryan Howard was the only starter held hitless.

With the win, the Phillies (65-56) tied San Diego for the NL Wild Card lead. Lance Berkman went deep twice as Houston edged Jake Peavy and the Padres 3-1.

In other news, Freddy Garcia could pitch as many at two innings today in his Gulf Coast League rehab.  The injured veteran still has an outside shot to rejoin the club for the playoff race. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano signed a five-year, $90 million extension, thus keeping him away from the Mets, who defeated the Nationals 6-2. The Phillies remain three back in the division.

Game chat: Phils open weekend series in Pittsburgh

Phillies right-hander J.D. Durbin (4-2, 5.73 ERA) returns to the rotation against steady lefty Tom Gorzelanny (11-6, 3.29 ERA) and the Pirates in the first of three games at PNC Park. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Notes: Pitching assertive in series win over Nationals

Left-hander Cole Hamels fortified his stake as staff ace with 6 2-3 shutout innings in last night’s rubber-match in Washington. He wasn’t the only hurler who met the challenge of their assigned role this series.

There's nothing more enjoyable than an Antonio Alfonseca strikeout, and we’ve seen a lot of those lately. Since being bumped from the closer role, El Pulpo has become a seventh-inning stud. In seven appearances this month, he hasn’t allowed a run and has already fanned six, working out of Hamels’ jam last night in the seventh. Sometimes is isn’t pretty. Alfonseca got into a little trouble and surrendered a hard-fought walk to Tony Batista, but the best pitch of the night may have been Alfonseca’s sinking, tailing fastball to Felipe Lopez to finally end the Nationals’ threat.

It was the type of game that defines the No. 1 starter role, and Hamels has emerged as the best ace since Curt Schilling. Going down the line, others were up to task. Kyle Lohse opened the series with 6 2-3 solid innings. New 7-8-9 Alfonseca, Tom Gordon and Brett Myers slammed it shut. Gordon was roughed up last night on a pitch out over the plate to Ronnie Belliard and a decent pitch that was put into the right-field seats by Dimitri Young. Myers worked his second 1-2-3 ninth for his 11th save. Rookie Kyle Kendrick didn't have his best stuff Wednesday, but continues to avoid bullpen-ruining meltdowns.

After taking a series off, the bats need to come around beginning tonight in Pittsburgh. They could use a high-scoring game to give the A-list relievers a little rest.

Miscellaneous: An MRI showed there was no new damage to Shane Victorino. The outfielder could rehab again Monday ... Carlos Ruiz’s second-inning homer was his first since May 15 ... I’m hosting a set of football podcasts this season, one on the Eagles and one Penn State.

Hamels has the ball as Phillies wrap up series at RFK

With ace hurler Cole Hamels on the mound, the Phightin’ Phils have a fightin’ chance to take two out of three from the formidable Nationals, no small feat considering the offensive struggles this series. The rubber match begins at 7:05 p.m.

Preview: The Phillies€™ offense has spoiled fans all season, so putting the past two games in perspective is certainly difficult. Scores of 4 and 2, what the Phils scored the last two nights, represent fairly standard totals for teams like Arizona and San Diego, the NL West and Wild Card leaders, respectively.

Nobody has scored fewer runs than the Nationals, who play all their home games in a massive wasteland better suited for government weapons testing. The low totals this series are no surprise.

These are the games that define the No. 1 starter role. Hamels (13-5, 3.64 ERA) has won four of his last five decisions and enters the contest with 150 strikeouts (4th NL) and 160.2 innings (8th NL). I make special point about the innings because he's already blown past last season's Major League total. Durability was once a major concern. Knock on wood; the Savior shows no signs of slowing.

For Washington, right-hander Joel Hanrahan (2-0, 2.76) will be making his first start against the Phillies and fourth Major League start overall. The 25-year-old former second round pick of the Dodgers limited San Francisco to one run and seven hits over 5 1-3 innings in a 3-1 victory last Thursday.

Best of the press notes: Since July 1, the Phillies bullpen has posted a 3.11 ERA (39 ER, 113.0 IP), the 3rd-lowest mark among NL bullpens behind COL and WSH ... For his career, opponents are hitting .219 (50-228) against Hamels with RISP, including .169 (12-71) in his last 17 starts. The guy’s just ice cold.

Food for thought: The Phillies denied Ryan Howard the long-term contract he was seeking last off-season, opting for a raise over last year’s salary. Howard’s people had reportedly asked for Alfonso Soriano-type money. Last year's MVP will be four years from free agency and will become a super-two after the season, meaning he’ll face four years of arbitration eligibility. Considering his season, which has not been as productive as ’06, what is the best course of action for the Phillies?

Phillies fall to Nationals 4-2; Eaton placed on the DL

Nationals right-hander Tim Redding pitched six innings and struck out seven in picking up the win over the offensive-challenged Phils, who managed just five hits on the night.

The Phillies spoiled a run-scoring opportunity in the seventh by getting just one run from ducks on the pond, no outs. Chris Coste’s RBI single drove in Aaron Rowand to make it 4-2 with the bases still loaded, but then Russell Branyan and Jimmy Rollins struck out, and Tadahito Iguchi grounded into a fielder’s choice. The Phillies 1-2-3 hitters were held without a hit.

Kyle Kendrick fell to 5-3 after giving up four runs and seven hits, with a homer, in 5 2-3 innings. Jayson Werth went solo in the losing cause.

Meanwhile, embattled starter Adam Eaton has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 11. Reader diagnosis: bruised ego. The Phillies claim that Eaton, a three-year, $24 million investment, has been suffering from an inflamed right shoulder and received a cortisone shot last Sunday. On the season, the 30-year-old right-hander is 9-8 with 6.36 ERA and has been particularly dreadful lately.

The Phillies will replace Eaton with J.D. “Real Deal” Durbin, whose turn will come in Pittsburgh. The Phils have recalled Pudgy Polock Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Ottawa.

Carrasco bombed: Reading Phillies beat writer Mike Drago has maintained that Carlos Carrasco, rated as the top prospect in the chain, has been nothing better than ordinary since his call-up, and last night I saw why first hand. Erie jumped all over the 20-year-old for two early homers before he finally settled in for six frames. Carrasco trailed 3-0 after the first three batters and 6-0 with two outs into the third.

As Drago reports, his K/BB rate in Reading is 35/36. After the game, he spoke with pitching coach Tom Filer for his take on Carrasco’s struggles. [Link]

In related news, Shane Victorino did not play last night to the disappointment of a packed house on Cole Hamels bobblehead night. Victorino will be examined by team doctor Dr. Michael Ciccotti today.

Ottawa report: Last night, converted reliever John Ennis tossed seven no-hit innings for the Lynx in a losing cause. Geoff Geary replaced Ennis in the eighth and gave up a single to former farmhand Bobby Scales and an RBI double to Junior Spivey, making it 1-1. Ottawa would lose 3-1 in extras.

Game chat: Kendrick stars in second act at RFK

Rookie right-hander Kyle Kendrick (5-2, 3.75 ERA) takes the mound opposite right-hander Tim Redding (1-3, 2.86 ERA) as the Phillies and Nationals get set for the second of three games in Washington. Game time is 7:05 p.m. ET.

Preview: Kendrick has lasted seven innings in each of his last three starts, allowing a combined five runs. In his last start, the 22-year-old held Florida to two runs over seven innings, but didn’t factor in the decision. After spending almost two full seasons in Triple-A, Tim Redding, 29, is on the comeback trail and has pitched solidly in seven starts since his call-up. This will be his sixth start at RFK.

News and notes: The Reading Eagle reported that Shane Victorino suffered an injury setback in yesterday’s rehab assignment in Reading (Double-A). The Eagle reported that Victorino limped slightly coming off the field and headed directly to the trainer’s room in the fifth inning and would not return. Victorino, who’s been out with a small tear in his right calf, is a game-time decision tonight ... Tonight is Cole Hamels bobblehead night in Reading ... Two former Phillies were involved in a dangerous altercation last night in the Atlantic League, where Bridgeport’s Matt Beech hit Long Island’s Jose Offerman with a pitch. Offerman charged the mound with bat in hand and took a swing at Beech, striking him in the hands. Offerman also struck a blow to the head of the catcher. The former Phillies pinch hitter was arrested.

Branyan's pinch home run lifts Phillies past Nationals

Russell Branyan, previously of Triple-A Buffalo, sent Jon Rauch’s eighth-inning fastball deep into the right-field mezzanine for a two-run, game-winning homer as the Phillies turned the tables on Washington 3-2.

It took Russell Branyan exactly one swing to justify his Phillies' existence. Branyan grabbed his helmet, rosined his thunderstick, strode to the plate and won the game, as if it were written on a press release ripped from the buttery hands of Ruben Amaro, Jr.

By winning the game with one swing, Branyan automatically gains entry into Pat Gillick's Value Village*, small-time acquisitions who’ve paid off for the Phils. The list that includes Tadahito Iguchi, J.C. Romero, Jose Mesa, Antonio Alfonseca and Greg Dobbs.

Kyle Lohse, another mid-season pickup who’s paying off, allowed just two hits through his first six innings before running out of steam in the seventh.

Lost in the shuffle was Carlos’ Ruiz’s RBI single, scoring Jayson Werth from second following Ryan Zimmerman’s throwing error. That makes three-consecutive victories where the Phils made the opposing team pay for a mistake.

Brett Myers struck out the side for his 10th save. Anyone who’s starting to see why Myers should become the Phillies’ permanent closer, come stand with me now. So far, it’s me, Cholly and a couple of team executives, warming our hands over a burn barrel and quizzing ourselves about the great home-grown relievers in Phillies' history. We’ll be scratching our heads for a while, so take your time.

Game chat: Lohse toes rubber in series opener

Newly acquired right-hander Kyle Lohse (7-12, 4.66 ERA) makes his third start for the Phillies as the Nationals counter with recently activated righty Shawn Hill (3-3, 2.70 ERA). Game time is 7:05 p.m. ET.

Preview: Lohse gave up four runs and six hits, including two homers, in 6 1-3 innings his last start, but in many ways, he was a lot better than that line suggests on a brutally hot and wacky night last week against Florida. Lohse also helped his own cause with a pair of sacs and an RBI single. For Washington, this will be Shawn Hill’s first start since May 11, sidelined with a strained shoulder. Hill had been having a superb start to the season before the injury setback. The Phillies trail the Mets by three games in the National League East. After a poor start, the Nationals have improved to 54-64 (.458)

Lineups are set: Greg Dobbs, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz get starting assignments. [Live Boxscore]

Phillies prepare for three with formidable Nationals

The Nationals have won five-consecutive series at home and are 18-12 since the All-Star break.

The Washington Nationals were supposed to lose 100 games this season. Looking over the roster, they have every right to lose that many. It hasn’t happened. The Nats have stayed competitive, splashing around the pressure-free kids pool with the Marlins while the Phillies, Mets and Braves swim in the shark tank.  They’re getting good starts from inexperienced arms and journeymen. Because of it, they’re 18-12 since the All-Star break, and as Paul Hagen reported in today’s Daily News, have a better record (45-39) than the Mets and Braves since May 11.

RFK is a tough place to win ballgames, particularly for teams built on scoring. If you fall behind at RFK, Washington’s bullpen makes it very difficult to catch up. The Nationals are 10 games below .500, but 30-29 at home. It’s misguided to believe the Phils are the better team head-to-head. Washington won the 2006 season series over the Phils 10-9, including that back-breaking series loss the final week of the season. They’re 3-5 against the Phils this season, avoiding a sweep against Adam Eaton at Citizen’s Bank Park their last series. Now they host the Phils in their own building, where they recently completed back-to-back sweeps over the Reds and Cardinals, making it five consecutive series wins at home.

RFK is the polar opposite of Citizens Bank Park, which is where the Phils have been playing their best ball. I’m a little worried about the transition, and I’m a little worried the Phils will lay off the gas. They’re at that familiar stage where they’ve created some excitement and people are starting to believe. Traditionally, that’s when the wheels have come off.

Did the Phillies play well against the Braves? I’d call it good, not great. The Braves made some mistakes, Howard’s home run was huge and the bullpen keeps getting production from the middle-inning magicians like J.C. Romero and Jose Mesa. Their tricks could be exposed any time. That’s why Charlie Manuel has been yanking them in and out so quickly. Readers have lobbied for longer innings for guys like J.C. Romero and Jose Mesa to preserve Brett Myers and Tom Gordon. No thanks.

The Phillies face three right-handers this series, starting with the toughest draw, Shawn Hill, tonight. The heart of the Phillies’ lineup should be able to stay in steady rhythm; they only have one left-hander, Ray King, in their bullpen. They recently demoted lefty Billy Traber, a guy who probably would have been useful against the Phils.

The offense will be the key this series. Do they have the bats, particularly the fill-ins at the bottom, to overcome the overachieving rotation and the challenges of the park? Expect Russell Branyan to see some action for the added pop.

Phils win behind Howard's blast; Rollins scores three

Jamie Moyer picked up his 11th win, while the bullpen pitched 2 2-3 shutout innings, as the Phillies defeated the Braves 5-3 to take four of six at home.

Afterward, the Braves let their frustrations be heard. "It was a little fly ball," said Braves manager Bobby Cox of Ryan Howard's opposite-field three-run homer. "It goes out here and Cincinnati. Maybe Houston [with] the short porch. But if we get the call ... "

The call in question was the fifth-inning Tadahito Iguchi grounder that should have been converted into a double play. Shortstop Yunel Escobar missed the bag at second and was late with the throw to first. The replay showed both calls were correct. Howard would capitalize for his 33rd homer, sending his 95th, 96th and 97th runs to the plate. According to the Braves, it was the stadium's fault.

"When he hit it, I honestly thought it was going to be an out, but it still went 15 rows deep," said Buddy Carlyle, who was charged with the loss. "Their bullpen did a great job and Moyer kept us off balance," outfielder Jeff Francoeur added. "But it comes back to we've got to get key hits and I think I've reiterated that at this ballpark, any ball can go out of the ballpark."

Frankly, the Phillies won this series because they capitalized on key mistakes, something the Braves have done to the Phils for years. Had it not been for Escobar’s blown double play and Friday’s throwing error, the Braves might have experienced an entirely different outcome.

Opportunity knocked and several Phillies answered. Rollins put in a spectacular night of work, setting the table by reaching base three times, including a triple. Moyer (11-8, 4.68 ERA) stayed in control for 6 1-3 strong innings before running out of gas. Howard stayed back on the pitch from Carlyle and didn’t try to do too much with it. That’s all the big man needs to do. The bullpen, which didn’t allow a hit and struck out four in 2 2-3 innings, blew through the Braves’ lineup. After Howard's home run, the Bravos looked battered, frustrated, impatient and ready to return home to Georgia. This is still a team to be reckoned with. Then again, so are the Phillies.

Notes: Scott Mathieson starts a rehab assignment today in the GCL; Shane Victorino could begin a rehab assignment tomorrow in Reading. Manager Charlie Manuel has not made up his mind about Adam Eaton's next turn. (all reported by Zolecki of the Inquirer).

Game chat: Phillies, Braves settle score in prime time

Jamie Moyer, who is 5-1 with a 2.50 ERA in eight starts against the NL East, tries to stretch his unbeaten streak to five as the Phillies and Braves conclude their three-game series tonight on ESPN. [Live Boxscore]

Pitching matchup: Buddy Carlyle (7-3, 4.28 ERA) vs. Jamie Moyer (10-8, 4.70 ERA). Lineups are set: Jayson Werth, Carlos Ruiz and Abraham Nunez line up in the 6-7-8 (yug). The Braves try to wrap up a successful road trip while the Phils take aim at finishing the home stand over .500. Before the series, Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said a 3-3 home stand would be acceptable, but a win tonight would certainly make a huge statement in the NL East. The Phillies are 3 1/2 back of the Mets, who avoided a sweep with a 10-4 win over the Marlins this afternoon. The Braves are 3 back.

Hoping cooler heads would prevail after eight hours sleep, coffee and a round of golf, my desire to see Adam Eaton ousted from the rotation actually grew stronger with the passage of time.

Game chat: Struggling right-handers duel tonight

Philadelphia's Adam Eaton and Atlanta's Lance Cormier try to make pitches in the second of three between the Phillies and Braves. The Phils trail the Mets by just three in the NL East. Game time is 7:05 p.m. ET.

Preview: The Phils are fortunate to draw recently recalled right-hander Lance Cormier (15.26 ERA) opposite Adam Eaton (6.09 ERA), the weakest member of the Phillies’ pitching staff. Eaton’s ERA is the worst in the league and third-highest in the Majors. MLB.com reports that 47.7 percent of his runs are coming in the first or second inning of his starts. If you have evening dinner plans, don’t rush home for the first pitch. Enjoy another glass of wine and prepare for crooked numbers once you arrive home. This is Cormier’s first start since his recall. He’s been hanging around Triple-A Richmond trying to fix his mechanics.

As of this writing, no word on Aaron Rowand. Unsubstantiated speculation on the PhilliesPhan message board says the Phillies’ center fielder has been diagnosed with an ocular migraine, which is a short-term ailment. If Rowand can’t go tonight, the Phils may turn to newly acquired outfielder Russell Branyan, who seems like a good bet to start against the right-hander.

Update: Rowand is in the lineup and must be a-okay. Greg Dobbs, Chris Coste and Jayson Werth earn starting nods. [Live Boxscore]

Phillies climb past Braves 5-4, gain ground in division

Cole Hamels overcame a four-run first to earn his 13th victory, while the offense answered with four in the first and capitalized on a throwing error in the seventh to give the Phils the win.

Meanwhile in New York, Hanley Ramirez hit a go-ahead, two-run double off closer Billy Wagner in the ninth as the Marlins rallied past the Mets 4-3. Kevin Gregg saved his 25th game for Florida.

With MVP-candidate Chase Utley out of the lineup since July 27, the Phillies have played inspired ball, improving their standing in both the division and wild card races. While the bats continue to click, led by resurgent slugger Pat Burrell, the arms have come through most. In the 22 games before last night, the pitching staff had a 3.42 ERA and have allowed only seven homers in their last nine games. The veteran bullpen, which is closer to full strength than not, has compiled a 2.41 ERA in their last 19 games, while allowing just two homers over 59 2-3 innings. Tom Gordon’s ninth inning wasn’t pretty, but he held on for his first save since May, giving Brett Myers the night off.

On a night when the team paid tribute to John Vukovich, the Phillies won their 11th game out of the last 14 at home in front of an increasingly large and appreciative crowd. They're indeed an easy group to get behind.

Rowand forced out with blurred vision: Aaron Rowand was taken out of yesterday's game with blurred vision in his right eye. According to the team Web site, he will have an examination today at Wills Eye Hospital. No word on how much time he will miss. What next?

Game chat: Phillies open big series with Braves

Left-handers Chuck James (9-8, 3.84) and Cole Hamels (12-5, 3.57) square up in the first of three at Citizens Bank Park. Atlanta (61-54) trails New York by 3 1/2 games while the Phils are four games back. Enjoy the game, and the start of your weekend.

Beerleaguer for breakfast: Phils let Fish off the hook

Segrio Mitre held the Phillies scoreless through the first five frames, while the Florida bullpen didn’t allow a run over the final three, as the Phillies fell short of the three-game sweep 4-2 at Citizens Bank Park.

Mitre settled in after the Phils hit the ball hard in the first inning. Greg Dobbs’ two-run double would eventually tie the game in the sixth. But then in the ninth, Brett Myers (2-4) was dealt the loss in a poorly played, poorly-pitched inning, which included a bunt back to the mound with second baseman Tadahito Iguchi late to cover first. The Marlins would eventually score on a pair of fielders choices. It was one of those innings, and the Phillies never got anything started offensively, spoiling another strong start by rookie Kyle Kendrick, who lasted seven full. The Phillies remain four back of the Mets, but dropped to a half-game behind the Braves. They remain just a game out of the Wild Card.

Roster notes: Before the game, the Phillies made a pair of roster moves to clear room for newly acquired utilityman Russell Branyan, who will join the club tonight against Atlanta. Reliever Geoff Geary was optioned to Triple-A Ottawa for the second time while Reading right-hander Zach Segovia was designated for assignment.

Segovia earned a spot start with the Phillies the first week of the season. Since then, he’s struggled in both Triple-A and Double-A assignments. The team has 10 days to trade, waive or release Segovia. If he clears waivers and accepts the assignment, he can be outrighted back to the minors.

The 24-year-old right-hander looked like a decent prospect after a 16-win 2006 season between Class-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading. He pitched well for Team USA and was strong in the Arizona Fall League, earning a tryout for a spot in the Phillies' bullpen. It’s gone rapidly downhill since then. You could say the same for Geoff Geary. Nobody represents the season-by-season, up-and-down nature of relief pitching better than Gas Can, who was the team’s most reliable middle reliever last season. Meanwhile, Clay Condrey, who's already been designated four times this season, will stick around.

Game chat: Kendrick and company go for the sweep

Surprising rookie Kyle Kendrick looks to stay unbeaten at home when the Phillies try to make it three-out-of-three against the Florida Marlins tonight at 7:05 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park.

Preview: The amazing thing about Kendrick (5-2, 3.88 ERA) has been his consistency. Usually a rookie with so little experience will have the roof cave it at least once. Not Kendrick. In 10 starts, the 22-year-old has rarely experienced a bad inning let alone a bad start. Now he’s starting to go deep into games, going seven innings in his last two. In six starts at home, he’s 4-0 with a 3.29 ERA, .254 BAA  and 1.25 WHIP. He’s been terrific: tremendous poise, strong from the gate, a nice selection of pitches including a sinker, good command. All that’s missing is a true out pitch. He’s done everything else so well, you’d hardly notice. This will be his first start against Florida, who counters with Sergio Mitre (5-5, 3.67 ERA). Mitre has been Florida's most consistent starter, but has struggled in his last three.

Lineups are in: Dobbs-Werth-Ruiz represent the 6-7-8. [Live Boxscore]

Breaking news: Phillies acquire Branyan for cash

The 31-year-old infielder/outfielder spent most of the season with San Diego and hit .197/.322/.426 over 146 plate appearances, including seven home runs and 19 RBIs. He was released July 28, signed with Cleveland and was assigned to triple-A Buffalo, where he appeared in one game.

A left-handed journeyman who can play the corners, Branyan is a career .229/.327/.479 hitter with 118 home runs and 293 RBI in stops with Cleveland (1998-2002), Cincinnati (2002-03), Milwaukee (2004-05), Tampa Bay (2006) and San Diego (2006-07). He has played 284 career games at third base, 149 in left field, 71 in right field and 41 at first base.

Beerleaguer: Branyan’s addition should give Charlie Manuel a little more license to make substitutions, but his addition was probably more for his bat than versatility, similar to how the Phils added Randall Simon, a left-handed power hitter, late in 2006. With several players on the DL, there was a need for a spare bat like the one Branyan wields.

Branyan never lived up to his minor league promise and is struggling to hang on, but still represents a moderately intimidating late-game threat off the bench. He will force the opposing team’s hand, certainly more than Chris Roberson or Abraham Nunez would. His top comp is Phil Plantier (1990-1997) – an excellent comparison. Another name that comes to mind is Todd Hollandsworth, whom the Phillies considered last season. Believe it or not, his line between 2004 and 2006 was .253/.363/.531 – that’s good production, almost all of it coming against right-handed pitching. He's a poor defender, but can't be much more of a butcher than Wes Helms. When you get down to it, Helms and Branyan have had similar, part-time careers.

As a pinch hitter, he’s been ... well ... pretty awful, not just this season, but over his entire career. He’s only 12-for-107 (.112) in pinch hit opportunities. However, he’s patient and makes pitchers work in any situation. He's got some pop, but hasn't been making much contact this season, whiffing 48 times in his 122 official at bats before the Padres finally dumped him.

This is minor tinkering, and typical of most contending teams at this stage. My thought is fans will be glad to see him with the bat in his hands pinch-hitting in a big spot instead of the alternatives. Perhaps a move to the high-motor Phils will get his juices flowing again.

A move will be made prior to tonight’s game to accommodate Branyan on both the 25-man and 40-man rosters. No word on who gets trimmed as of this posting.

Game chat: Phillies hoping to stay hot at home

It's another sweltering night for baseball as the Phillies host to Dontrelle Willis and the Marlins tonight at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have won nine of their last 11 at home.

Preview: Between Barry Bonds and the rest of the top stories, we barely had time to discuss yesterday’s 11-1 rout, Jamie Moyer and some of the other pleasant developments. The nicest surprise has come from the supporting cast – guys like Jayson Werth, Chris Roberson, Tadahito Iguchi and others – who’ve done a nice job filling in and producing. Tonight against the left-hander Dontrelle Willis (7-11, 4.91 ERA), manager Charlie Manuel fearlessly gives the nod to Werth, Carlos Ruiz and Abraham Nunez in the 6-7-8. Keep your fingers crossed. Kyle Lohse (6-12, 4.61 ERA) will be making his second start for the Phils, though it feels like his debut. Lohse was knocked out of his first start after being hit on his forearm with a batted ball Thursday in Chicago.

The Phillies are a hot team at home; they’re 9-2 in their last 11 and have outscored opponents 34-8 while posting a 1.85 ERA (stat courtesy of AP). Last night, Ryan Howard went deep twice and Aaron Rowand homered for the 17th time this season, as the Phils pulled to within four games of the Mets in the NL East. It’s another scorcher. Expect CBP to play like a phone booth. Enjoy the ballgame. [Live Boxscore]

Minor notes: Position players upstaging pitchers

They're raw, unheralded and a little older than we'd like, but the Phillies' minor league position players have been surging of late. Is help on the way beyond Michael Bourn?

Conventional wisdom says the Phillies have better young pitching depth than position depth, however the gap may be closing. A poster on the PhilliesPhans message board offered an eye-opening entry Monday on how some of the higher-tier position prospects have been hitting over the last 10 games. I hadn't noticed.

Mike Costanzo, 23, is starting to get his strikeouts under control and has been hitting with better consistency. The Reading third baseman homered twice on Sunday, raising his OBP/SLG to .452/.649 over his last 10. He went hitless last night, but August has otherwise been a good month. He’s struck out only twice in his past eight games. He’s up to .257/.357/.473 with 22 home runs, the most in the chain. Costanzo would appear to be headed for another solid year of minor league seasoning.

Greg Golson took most of Clearwater’s pop (and strikeouts) with him to Reading, but left behind a group of pretty efficient hitters – many of them having good second acts. Catcher Lou Marson, 21, outfielder Jeremy Slayden, 24, and shortstop Jason Donald, 22, are hitting well. Donald, a 2006 third-round selection, has the highest OPS among the young guys in the chain (.932).

Peeter Ramos, 25, is no better than a borderline prospect, but at least he's been hitting. A contact hitter with a little pop and a good glove, the second baseman is hitting .307/.379/.434. Someone wrote Ramos has more ‘Es’ in his name than on the field. He’s only committed two errors.

One reason the gap between hitters and pitchers may be narrowing is the high-ceiling pitching talent has had mixed second-half results. A number of pitchers, like Carlos Carrasco and Pat Overholt, have struggled making the jump from Class-A to Double-A, but have shown flashes lately. One exception is Triple-A left-hander J.A. Happ, who may be starting to turn the corner after an injury-riddled, limited first half. Happ has allowed just two runs and six hits over his last 12 2-3 innings while striking out 14. Fellow left-hander Josh Outman lasted seven innings his last start with Reading, his second start since his call-up from Single-A.

To answer the original question ‘Is help on the way beyond Michael Bourn?’ unfortunately, I’d have to answer, ‘No. It’s not.’ The margin between the pitchers and hitters is still very wide. Reading, for example, has a group of .300 hitters, but most of them are older non-prospects. The Phillies will get Costanzo into the majors come hell or high water, but his numbers so far do not project into much big-league success. He can’t hit lefties and strikes out too much. Aside from a few scattered bodies, the rest of the chain provides very little pop and very little hope.

Utley expected to miss full five weeks: The Inquirer reported today that Chase Utley’s timetable could be stretched to about five weeks. Utley has been fielding groundballs and had his stitches removed, but it appears the second baseman will take the cautious approach to have the bone heal properly. Five weeks had been the best estimate; three weeks was wishful thinking.

Beerleaguer for breakfast: Bonds crowned HR king

Barry Bonds became baseball's all-time home run champion by hitting a fifth-inning, full-count pitch 435 feet into the seats for number 756 of his career, passing Hank Aaron. The world weighs in.

The New York Post spelled out the number 756 with hypodermic needles on their morning cover, while the back page ran the headline “Big Sh*t.” Readers tried to find meaning in Bonds’ record-breaking feat during last night’s game thread.

Several readers used the opportunity to reflect on Hank Aaron’s grace. “Aaron did the right thing tonight and took the diplomatic approach to the entire situation,” wrote one poster. “Regardless of his own personal views, Aaron gave a poignant and memorable speech that in no way trivialized or belittled the moment. It was the right thing to do and Aaron was the person who showed what dignity and class is all about. Bonds and Selig should take some notes.”

Others asked fans to separate their angst for the individual and respect the accomplishment. “Bonds is the latest in a long, long, long line of jerks who are very good at baseball. If you can't divorce your personal feelings for the guy from your respect for the record and for his achievements, you shouldn't be a baseball fan.”

Several others pointed to the hypocrisy of Bud Selig and others and identified a trace of racism. “I have no problem with fans calling Bonds a cheat and a jerk. I DO have a problem with fans who do that but never said peep about McGwire or Lenny or Sosa or Palmeiro, which is a substantial number. How many of the posters here tonight have ever posted one word about the other cheaters? I think there's an undercurrent of racism here, frankly, and it's ugly.”

Selig was not in attendance, but attended the record-tying game three days ago and phoned Bonds personally after the game. Aaron also wasn’t in attendance. Major League Baseball executive vice president Jimmie Lee Solomon and Frank Robinson represented baseball. Willie Mays, Bonds’ godfather, was at Bonds’ side.

Bonds' home run ball was caught by Queens native and Mets fan Matt Murphy, 22, who was reportedly traveling to Australia with a friend when they stopped in San Francisco and decided to go to last night's game.

Game chat: Phillies open three-game set with Marlins

Temperatures will be in the low 90s when Jamie Moyer and the Phils try to fry Rick VandenHurk and the Fish tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.

Preview: It’s too hot for baseball. It’s oppressive. It’s nasty. It's torture. It’s not the kind of weather for wearing polyester baseball pants. It’s nights like these when I’m glad my calling was Beerleaguer and not baseball. Blogging requires much less dexterity. Nobody ever became chafed from blogging, and if they did, they're doing it wrong. How does 44-year-old Jamie Moyer (9-8, 4.84 ERA) find the willpower? He was drafted in 1984, the year Donald Arthur Mattingly was the hottest baseball rookie card on the planet. Moyer has been good against the Marlins, a team comprised of a number of players who’re probably too young to remember Donnie Baseball. One of them is 22-year-old Dutchman Rick VandenHurk (3-2, 6.75 ERA), tonight's opposing pitcher.

This is a very winnable game for the Phils, even though Moyer will be kept at a minimum pitch count. Some would even call it a must win. Inferior pitcher, inferior team, and not many games left on the calendar. That's why I was shocked to hear Pat Gillick, speaking at a function last night, said if the Phillies finish the six-game home stand 3-3, it would be “acceptable.” Let's hope the players turn a deaf ear to this gentleman and set the bar just a little higher.

Injury updates: The Daily News provided a full list of injury updates today, including the progress of Chase Utley's broken hand, and some surprising news about Freddy Garcia. [Link]

Former Phillie arrested: Former Major League pitcher Jay Baller, 46, was arrested near Reading Friday after city police found cocaine, a loaded handgun and $15,000 in cash in his vehicle. Baller played with the Phillies, Cubs and Royals between 1982 and 1990 and is a member of the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame. He ended his major league career with the Phils in 1992. Investigators say they got a report from a woman who saw Baller and two other men snorting cocaine and playing with a handgun in a sport utility vehicle. Read the complete story here.  

Phillies pay back Brewers in extras, finish trip 3-4

A discussion of yesterday's comeback and the rest of the day's news.

Like many, I was so disgusted with Adam Eaton, I turned off the game and missed yesterday’s thrilling comeback. You couldn’t have written a better ending than Aaron Rowand robbing Ryan Braun in center just as Corey Hart did to Tadahito Iguchi the previous night. Somehow, someway, Jose Mesa managed to escape the rest of the 11th inning with a save. The magic act continues for Joe Table. Before that, the rest of the bullpen cruised while the Brewers, apparently, fell asleep.

The offense salvaged what was destined to become another loss attributable to Eaton (9-8, 6.11 ERA), the league’s worst starting pitcher over a long enough period of futility. After the game, Eaton told reporters that perhaps he needs to pitch with “more conviction,” then couldn’t decide whether that was the right terminology. “I’m thinking out loud to you guys,” he resolved.

Meanwhile, some of the out-loud thinking in yesterday’s thread included such observations as Eaton is a bum, Eaton sucks, Eaton is baseball's worst off-season free agent signing and I hate Adam Eaton. One reader even suggested the Phillies send Eaton down like Rick Ankiel so he could change positions.

If you believe Eaton is on the verge of losing his job, don’t bet on it. J.D. Durbin wouldn't be any better, plus, Durbin has been somewhat useful in long relief. Based on how he’s done in first innings, Eaton would be a nightmare in relief. They’re tied up with Eaton for two more seasons; they’ve got to find some way to make it work. The problem sounds more mental than physical, but this slow start stuff has been going on almost his entire career.

In any event, the Phillies wrapped up their injury-riddled road trip a controllable 3-4 and lost only 1 ½ games on the Mets, while staying 2 ½ back in the Wild Card.

Abridged Metsblog: Speaking of the Mets, time to check in with Metsblog as the Mets prepare for a huge series with Atlanta starting tomorrow. (Tuesday: Carlyle vs. Perez; Wednesday: Smoltz vs. Hernandez; Thursday: Hudson vs. Maine)

Metsblog proprietor Matthew Cerrone, otherwise known as Bizarro Jason Weitzel, reports on some buzz out of Florida that Pedro Martinez will make a minor-league rehab start this week. “There is a sense of urgency, because the Mets would like to get Pedro at least five or six major-league starts before helping out during the playoffs, assuming the team gets to October," he writes. "As it is, if Pedro makes four minor-league starts right now, and has no set backs or misses a day, he will be back by the end of this month, leaving him the roughly five to six desired starts in september with the Mets.”

Phillies acquire infielder: Gookie Dawkins, 28, was assigned to the Lynx roster, completing a July 31 deal with the Mariners, which would apparently be the Julio Mateo trade. Dawkins spent the entire season with Tacoma, hitting .250 with four homers and 32 RBIs in 81 games. He’s seen spot action in the show and made his Major League debut with the Reds in 1999.

Thurston clears waivers: Call off the APB - Joe Thurston has been found! The 27-year-old infielder cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and was reinserted into the Lynx roster. Thurston had his contract purchased by the Phils the day after Chase Utley went down. Thurston wasn’t needed because the team traded for Iguchi, who appears to be earning some early accolades from the Beerleaguer peanut gallery.

Savery off on right foot: Phillies 2007 first-round pick Joe Savery pitched three scoreless innings in his professional debut Saturday. Savery, the 19th player taken overall, gave up a hit and struck out two.

Game chat: Phillies try to avoid sweep in Milwaukee

Manager Charlie Manuel has set a lineup readers have been clamoring for, with Jimmy Rollins reinserted into the lead-off spot and red-hot Pat Burrell moved into the No. 3 hole. Will it be enough to overcome Jeff Suppan and the recharged Brewers? Find out starting at 2:05 p.m. ET. Enjoy the game and the rest of your weekend. [Live Boxscore]