July 21: POSTGAME -- Bell tolls

David Bell's shortcomings are obvious.

Now in his 11th major league season, he doesn't hit for much power anymore. Fact is, his five home runs rank him 31st among major-league third basemen and his 30 RBIs rank 30th. Bell is in the last year of his contract, and barring an unexpected turn of events, the Phillies will have a new third baseman in 2007.

But there are times, like tonight, when Bell looks more like the dependable player who helped the San Francisco Giants to the World Series in 2002.

Facing Braves starter John Smoltz, against whom he was 1-for-24 entering the game, Bell went 4-for-4 (all singles). His fourth-inning single preceded Chris Coste's homer, and his eighth-inning single came before David Dellucci's pinch-hit single that broke a 3-3 tie.

I didn't get to write much about Bell tonight, but his performance shouldn't go unnoticed. Nor should his .382 batting average in July or his .483 average (14-for-29) since the All-Star break.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Bell is getting more opposite-field hits and more base hits up the middle. If he can hit to all fields, Bell can be a solid offensive player, and very quietly, he has hiked his average to .283.

More on Bell, and the rest of the Phillies, tomorrow.