April 30 -- ROLLINS UPDATE

So, Jimmy Rollins is still feeling discomfort when he runs, especially when he has to change direction. Thus, he won't be starting a minor-league rehab assignment tomorrow. And, after having some problems today, maybe not until next week, either. It now seems highly unlikely that he'll come off the disabled list Monday.

Much more on this in tomorrow's paper.

Tonight's lineup against Padres RHP Chris Young (1-2, 3.77 ERA): CF Jayson Werth(.289/5/13), SS Eric Bruntlett (.222/1/4), 2B Chase Utley (.364/10/21), 1B Ryan Howard (.177/5/12), LF Pat Burrell (.337/8/25), RF Geoff Jenkins (.241/1/4), 3B Pedro Feliz (.216/3/10), C Chris Coste (.361/2/7), LHP Jamie Moyer (1-1, 4.05).

Charlie Manuel said Shane Victorino probably will start tomorrow against LHP Randy Wolf.

April 30 -- ROLLINS RUNS

Last weekend, athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said the Phillies had received positive reports from Clearwater, Fla., about the progress of Jimmy Rollins' sprained left ankle. But when he was asked if there was a timetable for when Rollins may begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Sheridan said that hadn't been decided. Sheridan wanted to wait for Rollins to work out early this week before making any judgments.

"Seeing is believing," he said.

Well, a few moments ago, I saw Rollins running in right field -- and looking fairly nimble, too. It's possible Rollins could begin a rehab assignment Thursday at Class A Lakewood, and if he doesn't suffer any setbacks over the weekend, he could be activated before Monday night's game in Arizona. Right now, though, that's merely speculation from me. I'll try to get an update when the clubhouse opens in about 40 minutes.

***

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Phillies have 15 wins in six straight months for the first time since July 1963 to August 1964 when they did it in seven straight months. So, there's that.

Also, got an e-mail this morning from Wilmington resident Larry Shenk, the Phillies' recently retired PR honcho, who points out that tomorrow is the 125th anniversary of the Phillies' first game. To commemorate the occasion, Maje McDonnell, the longest-tenured Phillies employee, will throw out the first ball. McDonnell joined the organization as a batting practice pitcher in 1947.

More later.

April 30 -- NO MORE APRIL SHOWERS

The Phillies were going to win last night.

Cole Hamels guaranteed it.

Hamels, the ace lefty, was so confident that he'd be able to beat the Padres -- and 349-game winner Greg Maddux -- that, upon arriving in the Phillies' clubhouse, he walked across the room to Tom Gordon's locker and made a promise to the 40-year-old setup man.

"I'm going to give you the night off," Hamels said.
Hamels was superb last night, yielding two runs in 7-1/3 solid innings against the feeble-hitting Padres and upstaging Maddux, who allowed three runs in 6-1/3 innings. But Hamels, with an assist from J.C. Romero, left the Phillies in a bases-loaded, one-out bind in the eighth, and it took Gordon to bail them out with two grounders that preserved a 3-2 lead before the Phils tacked on four runs in their eighth.

"When they called down and told me to get up, I didn't want to move because Cole told me I could have the day off," Gordon said with a smile. "He pulled a Randy Johnson. You never want to come into that situation, but it's what our job requires at times. You want to hold that game. Cole pitched so well, as relievers, we had to be able to help him, too."

And, just like that, the Phillies clinched a winning record in April for the first time since 2003. Yeah, it's been a while. Since I've been covering the team, we've always spent this portion of the calendar talking about how the Phillies are off to another slow start. But, somehow, with Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino missing significant time with sprains and strains, the Phils recovered from a 4-6 start and are 11-6 in their last 17 games.

How, exactly, have they done it? Give credit to Chase Utley and Pat Burrell, a stronger-than-expected starting rotation, an excellent bullpen and Charlie Manuel's upbeat nature. But, even GM Pat Gillick said the other day, the Phillies' performance thus far has been a little mystifying.

***
Victorino went from the disabled list to the bench last night. But he repeated, several times, during a session with reporters that he doesn't think he has lost his starting job to Jayson Werth. He also said he still thinks of himself as a center fielder, even though Manuel indicated Victorino may play some more in right.

OK, you be the manager: How would you align the Phillies' starting outfield, keeping in mind that you have to choose from Pat Burrell, Victorino, Werth and Geoff Jenkins. Would you just play the hot hands? Would you have a platoon for righties and lefties? Do you prefer Victorino is center field, where his speed becomes a factor, or in right, where his strong arm may play bigger?

***
Check out Bill Bretzger's photo gallery from last night's game, including a nice picture of 2008 Miss America Kirsten Haglund. Trust me, that's worth looking at.

April 29 -- VICTORINO ACTIVE, NOT PLAYING

Just a quick word before tonight's game starts:

Shane Victorino has been activated from the disabled list (T.J. Bohn is back at triple-A Lehigh Valley). But Victorino isn't in the lineup tonight. Instead, Jayson Werth is in center field, while Geoff Jenkins is in right. Why Jenkins? He's a .426 career hitter (23-for-54) against Padres starter Greg Maddux, who is going for his 350th career win tonight.

Victorino isn't happy about not playing, but he seems to understand. He also doesn't believe he has lost his hold on the center-field job, regardless of how well Werth has played. Much more from Victorino in tomorrow's paper.

Here's the full lineup: CF Jayson Werth (.292/5/12), SS Eric Bruntlett (.217/1/3), 2B Chase Utley (.359/10/21), 1B Ryan Howard (.174/5/11), LF Pat Burrell (.349/8/25), RF Geoff Jenkins (.237/1/4), 3B Pedro Feliz (.202/3/9), C Carlos Ruiz (.188/0/6), LHP Cole Hamels (2-3, 2.75).

April 28 -- CATCHING ON

So, I came home from Pittsburgh today, about six hours later than scheduled (I'll spare you the travel horror story, but let's just say that US Airways is brutal), and waiting from me was an e-mail from the Phillies about old friend Mike Lieberthal.

Lieberthal, who caught more games than anybody in Phillies history, retired last year after spending his 14th major-league season as a backup with his hometown Dodgers. But Lieberthal wants to retire as a Phillie. So, on June 1, he'll sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Phillies, then formally announce his retirement. The last Phillies player to retire in this fashion was outfielder Doug Glanville, who signed a one-day contract in 2005.

Say what you want about Lieberthal -- and many fans have said many things, not always nice -- but the guy was devoted to the Phillies. He grew up in the organization after being drafted in the first round (third overall) in 1990 and spent 13 seasons in the red and white pinstripes. From 1994 through 2006, Lieberthal played in 1,174 games, much of the time through searing pain. Multiple knee injuries required multiple surgeries, and he made seven trips to the disabled list. In 2001, he tore his ACL and MCL and cartilage in his knee while attempting to dive back to second base. In 2002, he was named NL Comeback Player of the Year. Overall, he batted .275 with 150 home runs and 609 RBIs. He was an All-Star in 1999 and 2000, a Gold Glove winner in 1999, and someday, he'll be in the Phillies' Wall of Fame at The Bank. Bank on it.

I covered Lieberthal for only one year, but my favorite story came in mid-September 2006. The Phillies had just won a series in Houston and were making their usual late-season push for the NL wild-card berth. Lieberthal sat on a couch in the clubhouse at Minute Maid Park, his legs propped on a table and ice bags strapped to his knees, looking very much like Tom Berenger's fictional catcher from Major League. Chit-chatting with a group of reporters, myself included, he made a bold guarantee.

"We have a good chance to win it, and I think we will win it," he said of the wild card. "The way we're playing, we should be able to make the playoffs. I'm certain of it."

Of course, Lieberthal was one year too early on that prediction. Too bad, too. After all those games behind the plate, I remember thinking that Lieberthal should've been the one to catch the first pitch of the NL Division Series last October.

April 27 -- IS MYERS HURT?

PITTSBURGH -- So, once Charlie Manuel had met with us reporters after today's 5-1 loss to the Pirates, he had a 10-minute, closed-door meeting with Brett Myers. I can't be exactly sure what was said, but I can almost guarantee that, at some point, these three words came out of Chuck's mouth.

What the hell?

It's a legitimate question.

Through six starts, Myers is 2-2 with a 5.11 ERA. His fastball, once a consistent 92-95 mph, has barely topped 90 mph, and often, he has abandoned the pitch for a cutter. He threw almost as many cutters (27) as fastballs (37) today, even though he and pitching coach Rich Dubee agreed before the game that he'd throw more fastballs and curves and scrap the cutter. And the weak-hitting Pirates teed off for four runs on eight hits (including two homers by Nate McLouth) in five innings.

Some sobering numbers for Myers:

7.50: His ERA in his last two starts. He has allowed 10 runs on 19 hits in his last 12 innings.
10: Homers he has allowed in 37 innings. Last year, he allowed nine homers in 68-2/3 innings.
89: According to Manuel, the top speed of his fastball against the Pirates.

Which brings us back to the initial question: What the hell?

"I don't know," Myers said. "I'm trying to throw it as hard as I can every time. There's no mishits. It's kind of like the ball McLouth hit. I felt like if it was 92-93 instead of 88 or whatever, he could have mishit, popped it up or fouled it back. I'm not getting any of that right now. I haven't really been getting it the whole season. I'm trying to pitch with my offspeed stuff. I never knew how to pitch at 87, 88. It's different for me."

Myers reiterated that his arm feels fine. "That's the thing why I can't figure it out," he said. "It's not like I'm hurt. It's not like it's aching. It's not like I can't throw or anything like that. I've had times where it is barking a little bit, and I still go out there and throw 92-93. Right now it just ain't coming out. It's like doo-doo going up there. They say you go through dead-arm periods or whatever, but usually it's never lasted for six starts. I'm not the guy that's going to make excuses or anything like that. It's just tough for me to try to pitch with that when I never really have before. It's kind of a learning experience also. Not every game am I going to feel good, but at least I'll have something on the ball. Right now I'm just throwing 86 mph fastballs and trying to let it go. I don't know."

Dubee has his own theories. After today's game, he told us he'd like Myers to play long-toss two or three times a week to continue building arm strength. Myers isn't a big long-toss fan. If anything, Dubee said, Myers will throw only about five long-tosses on the day he starts, none in between. Dubee also thinks Myers needs to keep throwing his fastball (instead of the cutter), even if the velocity isn't there.

"I think it's as simple as him throwing more fastballs and him getting out there and playing some more long toss," Dubee said. "He's not a real big believer in long toss. And I am. I think that's one way you build up arm strength, some elasticity in his arm. I think it's something he has to buy into a little more. Again, look into the preparation, maybe. Maybe his [last] couple outings will [make him] see the light. I don't know."

Asked if he thinks Myers is hurt, Dubee said, "I can only go off what he says. But whether it's 88, 90 or 92, there are a lot of guys pitching in this league at 88 without the other weapons that he has, the curveball, the splitter, the slider. You pitch with whatever you have. The fact of the matter is you pitch down in the strike zone and you locate your fastball. This isn't a slap by any means but Jamie Moyer throws 80, 82. How does he do it? He changes speeds and pitches down. There's a knack for pitching with whatever you have, but the first thing you have to be able to do is command it."

So, what do you think is wrong with Myers? Is his problem with his arm or between his ears?

***

T-minus eight hours before I have to leave for the airport to catch my flight home. When the cab arrives at my hotel, I'll leave breathtaking PNC Park (right) in the rear-view mirror. Since the Phillies won't play here again until next year, I thought I'd run down my list of top-five major-league ballparks.

1. Camden Yards (Baltimore): The first of the retro parks is still the nicest.
2. PNC Park (Pittsburgh): If only the Pirates were as great as their ballpark.
3. AT&T Park (San Francisco): Catch a ball in McCovey Cove or try a Sourdough bread bowl.
4. Yankee Stadium (New York): OK, I'm biased. I saw my first game here. And probably my second, third, fourth, 10th, 20th. I'll be sorry to see it go.
5. Fenway Park (Boston): Another sentimental pick since I once lived across the street in Kenmore Square. Few things are more striking than the Green Monster.

Honorable mention: Coors Field (Denver), Wrigley Field (Chicago), Citizens Bank Park.

Which ballparks make your list?

April 27 -- HOWARD GOES DEEP

PITTSBURGH -- Finally.

It was only nine days and 30 at-bats, but it felt like forever since Ryan Howard had homered or, really, made any kind of productive contact. Howard was 0-for-12 with eight strikeouts (or 3-for-30 with 15 strikeouts, or 6-for-42 with 18 strikeouts) when he took Matt Morris deep toward my hotel (the arched building in the background of this picture) in the first inning last night. And while we're hardly ready to declare that Howard is out of his slump (he also struck out twice), the homer represented a step in the right direction.

So, maybe those two days off worked?

"In batting practice, the ball has been jumping off his bat," Charlie Manuel said. "It seemed like he stayed on the ball better. Against the lefty, it looked like he chased some bad pitches. If you notice, the home run was a little close to him. That's what he needs to do. He needs to let the ball get close to him. When you hear people say you should move closer to the plate to get the ball close to you, that's what you do. But we're only talking about a very small amount of space we want him to move. He'll get it. He's coming."

Said Howard, "It felt good. I ran the count a little deeper, and my swing felt good. I'll take a home run. But even with that aside, I felt better at the plate. A lot of it can be a snowball effect. All it takes is one day. You can take something positive from one day."

***

Kris Benson update: He suffered another setback yesterday in his first start in extended spring training, straining his right groin. The Phillies say they'll have a more complete update today.

***

Scott Mathieson update: He felt some discomfort in his elbow while long-tossing a few days ago, and he's scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. Farm director Steve Noworyta said the Phillies don't think it's a serious setback, but when you're dealing with a pitcher who has had two elbow surgeries since September 2006, you can't be too careful.

***

Keep a close eye on the radar gun today. Manuel said Brett Myers' fastball hasn't been up to par during most of his five starts. Myers says he feels fine. He should be able to dominate the weak-hitting Pirates, especially if he can command his fastball. We'll see.

***

Here's a question for you: With the way Pat Burrell has been hitting, would you take him out of a game for defensive replacement in the late innings knowing that he may get another at-bat? Manuel said it's tough not to replace Burrell with a one-run lead, especially in big ballparks like PNC Park or Coors Field. At Citizens Bank Park, though, where the outfield is smaller, Manuel said you may see Burrell stay in games.

***

Within our MLB Sunday notes, Ian Snell talks about being a cornerstone of the perennially rebuilding Pirates. Plus, Jeff Conine has gone from baseball to triathlons.

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone.

April 26 -- SNELL TO HOWARD: 'BE YOURSELF'

PITTSBURGH -- Few pitchers have made Ryan Howard look more foolish at the plate over the past few years than Ian Snell. Snell, who considers Howard a close friend, even joked in spring training that he "owns" the Phillies' first baseman, who is 1-for-10 with six strikeouts against him.

So, with Howard mired in the deepest slump of his career, I decided to visit with Snell yesterday to find out if he ever has seen him look worse. Turns out, Snell had already talked to Howard about a funk that has grown to 0-for-12 (eight strikeouts), 3-for-30 (15 strikeouts) and 6-for-42 (18 strikeouts).

"From a friend to a friend, I just told him to relax and be yourself," said Snell, the Pirates' right-hander and Caesar-Rodney High product. "He's a good hitter. He'll figure it out eventually, and he's going to strike fear in everybody again. He'll be fine. Everybody's going to start pitching him, and he's just going to start realizing what's coming and he's going to hit it 1,000 feet."

The Phillies will just have to trust that Snell is right.

***

So, as I tapped away last night at the game story for The Paper's final edition, I considered shifting the focus away from the success of Charlie Manuel's creative lineup and spending more words on Adam Eaton's struggles. In the end, maybe because the Phillies held on to beat the Pirates, I stuck with the initial theme and looked at the three-hit, three-RBI night for new No. 5 hitter Chris Coste.

That said, we really should talk about Eaton, who, after being staked to a 6-0 lead, allowed three runs in the fourth inning and may have given up more if Manuel hadn't removed him from the game. Manuel, clearly frustrated, winged his gum as he trudged to the mound, and after the game, he took a few not-so-subtle shots at Eaton.

"I felt like he didn't have a whole lot when he started the game," said Manuel, who lost faith in Eaton last season while the right-hander posted a 6.29 ERA in 30 starts. "But through three innings, he did make a pitch when he had to, every now and then. In the fourth inning, they were hitting the ball hard, and he was starting to struggle. I thought they were catching up with him. If you want to know the truth, I didn't think he was going to hold 'em."

Regarding Eaton, Coste said, "I don't know if he was feeling very well." Eaton cryptically insisted nothing was wrong with him. Stay tuned, though, and pay close attention to Eaton's next start, slated for Thursday against the Padres at The Bank.

***

Jimmy Rollins update: Manuel said he has been taking infield and batting practice at the Phillies' spring-training complex in Clearwater, Fla. Still no word on when he will begin playing in minor-league rehab games. That will be determined by how his sprained left ankle responds to the physical activity. The Phillies have time, too. Rollins can't be activated until May 5.

April 25 -- UTLEY PLAYING FIRST

PITTSBURGH -- So, how's this for an interesting lineup?

RF So Taguchi
CF Jayson Werth
1B Chase Utley
LF Pat Burrell
C Chris Coste
3B Pedro Feliz
SS Eric Bruntlett
2B Brad Harman
RHP Adam Eaton

No, Charlie Manuel hasn't lost his mind. As expected, Ryan Howard is getting another day off to think about his slump, and with lefty Zach Duke starting for the Pirates, Manuel wants to stack the lineup with right-handed hitters. Thus, no Greg Dobbs or Geoff Jenkins. In case you're wondering, Utley has played in 24 major-league games at first base. Earlier today, he was trying out first-base mitts (no, he doesn't have his own). This is Harman's first major-league start (he got a pinch-hit at-bat Tuesday night in Colorado). And, no, Coste has never before batted fifth in the majors.

April 25 -- FLASH BACK

PITTSBURGH -- Good afternoon, and TGIF, from the Steel City.

Scott Lauber here (not to be confused with Buddy Hurlock, who has been chiming in periodically in this space with his thoughts on the Blue Rocks). Left Milwaukee in a rain storm before the sun came up, and tried to file a post from Gate C30 at bustling O'Hare International in Chicago while I waited for my connecting flight. But the folks at Blogger.com were having some, well, issues that foiled my plan. Better late than never, though, I wanted to go over a few things before we walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge to beautiful PNC Park, one of my favorite National League ballparks, for a 7:05 Phillies-Pirates series-opener. So, without further ado ...

***
Pat Burrell got another big hit -- a game-winning hit, in fact -- yesterday at Miller Park, but that's nothing new. Burrell is having a phenomenal April (it's not too soon, by the way, to start thinking about the possibility that he could play in his first career All-Star Game). But it feels like every game story I've written in the past two weeks has been focused on Burrell and/or Chase Utley (a.k.a., the Dynamic Duo), so I went another way in today's paper and wrote about Tom Gordon.

"Flash," as he's universally known, bailed Jamie Moyer out of a two-on, none-out jam in the seventh inning yesterday. And, very quietly, he has posted a 2.16 ERA in eight outings since that horrendous opening-day performance. Plenty of folks, including yours truly, wondered after that game if Gordon, at age 40, was finally finished. Gordon, himself, admitted yesterday that his opening-day meltdown was tough to get over.

Clearly, though, he's over it. And, just as clearly, he has plenty of bullets left in his right arm. Gordon said yesterday that his curveball (his signature pitch for two decades) felt good in spring training. His success has stemmed from being able to throw his fastball for strikes. And although he fanned Tony Gwynn Jr. on three straight curveballs yesterday, his ability to command his fastball was the key to his success.

***
Ryan Howard won't play again tonight, Charlie Manuel said. Howard's "mental health day" yesterday wasn't quite as productive as Manuel had hoped. Howard pinch-hit in the eighth inning and struck out. He stayed in the game and struck out again in the ninth. So much for a slump-buster. If you've lost track, Howard is now 3-for-28 with 11 strikeouts (and 6-for-41 with 17 Ks).

I asked this question of y'all last weekend, and I'll ask again today: As amateur hitting coaches, how would you go about trying to get Howard out of his funk?

***
Here's a preview of this weekend's series:

PHILLIES at PIRATES
Tonight, 7:05: RHP Adam Eaton (0-0, 4.74) vs. LHP Zach Duke (0-1, 4.37)
Saturday, 7:05: RHP Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 5.59) vs. RHP Matt Morris (0-3, 9.15)
Sunday, 1:35: RHP Brett Myers (2-1, 4.78) vs. LHP Paul Maholm (1-2, 4.22)
Hot: Phillies 2B Chase Utley had three more hits Thursday and is 17-for-33 (.515) over the past eight games; Phillies CF Jayson Werth has hit three home runs in his last four games; Pirates CF Nate McLouth opened the season with a 19-game hitting streak before going 0-for-4 Wednesday; Pirates RF Xavier Nady was batting .385 (15-for-39) over a 10-game hitting streak entering Thursday night's game.
Not: Phillies RF Geoff Jenkins is hitless in his last eight at-bats; Phillies C Carlos Ruiz has two hits in his last 15 at-bats; Pirates 1B Adam LaRoche had two hits in his last 21 at-bats and one home run in 63 at-bats overall entering Thursday night.

Back in a few hours with lineups and other news. For now, I need a nap!

Blue Rocks: A day off

Today is the Blue Rocks' first day off of the season. Let's assess the season so far.

The Blue Rocks are 7-12, tied for third place (and last) in the Carolina League Northern Division, 6.5 games back. The team batting average of .221 is last in the league, and the staff ERA of 3.86 rates seventh out of eight.

About the stolen bases the Blue Rocks have promised? Their 44 steals lead the league by far (Frederick is second at 29). But the Rocks have been caught 22 times, also tops in the league. It's nice to steal bases but being caught one of three times is not ideal.

Catcher Jeff Howell is hitting .359, He only has one home run, but it was a blast (and a grand slam) to center field in Frawley Stadium. So, Howell shows some promise when it comes to providing power. The league has no standout HR hitter at this point. Only five players in the league have hit three or more homers, with just one having four, Frederick's Matt Wieters.

Also hitting well so far are right fielder Joe Dickerson (.344), infielder and reigning league player of the week Kurt Mertins (.339) and third baseman Josh Johnson (.267, 12 walks, .476 OBP).

No one else is hitting better than .222.

On the mound, the standout is reliever Tyler Chambliss. He has three saves in six games with a 1.54 ERA. Everett Teaford and Greg Holland, who every time through the rotation alternate as starter and first reliever, have been effective. Teaford is 1-0 with one save and a 1.04 ERA. Holland is 0-1 with one save and a 3.00 ERA, but has 20 strikeouts in 13 and two-third innings.

As for staff ace Blake Wood, he has had his ups and downs. He is 0-1 in four games with a 5.29 ERA, with 20 strikeouts, 17 hits and six walks in 17 innings pitched.

The Blue Rocks start a six-game homestand Friday night at 7:05 against Winston-Salem. Saturday, the first fireworks show of the season follows the 6:05 game. After a 1:35 game Sunday, Frederick comes in for three games, starting with 6:35 starts Monday and Tuesday, and then an 11:05 a.m. game Wednesday.

April 24 -- HOWARD OUT; ROLLINS REHABBING

MILWAUKEE -- OK, just came upstairs from the clubhouse, and we have two newsy items to report.

1. Ryan Howard, mired in a 3-for-27 slump that has dropped his average to .181, isn't in the lineup today against Brewers RHP Jeff Suppan, and Charlie Manuel said Howard won't play tomorrow night in Pittsburgh against Pirates LHP Zach Duke, either. Consider these "mental health days" for Howard, whose body language over the past few days has reflected his poor performance at the plate.

2. Athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said Jimmy Rollins is taking batting practice today at the Phillies' spring-training facility in Clearwater, Fla., as he continues to recover from a sprained left ankle. No timetable yet on when Rollins may begin a minor-league rehab assignment. Obviously, a lot of that depends on how he feels after taking BP.

The rest of today's lineup: CF Jayson Werth (.300/3/8), 1B Greg Dobbs (.379/2/8), 2B Chase Utley (.368/10/21), LF Pat Burrell (.351/8/23), RF Geoff Jenkins (.239/1/3), 3B Pedro Feliz (.225/3/8), SS Eric Bruntlett (.185/1/1), C Carlos Ruiz (.203/0/6), LHP Jamie Moyer (1-1, 4.79 ERA).

April 24 -- FEELING WERTH-LESS

MILWAUKEE -- Morning, all. Quick turnaround today, so I'll get right to it.

Nobody, not even Cole Hamels, took last night's loss harder than Jayson Werth. When the clubhouse opened to the media, Werth was still in full uniform, seated at his locker and staring into nowhere. And when we walked out of Charlie Manuel's office a few minutes later, Werth, still fully dressed, was watching video of his ninth-inning strikeout against Brewers fill-in closer Derrick Turnbow.

But it was a base running gaffe in the seventh inning that had him most despondent.

"I single-handedly probably gave the game away," Werth said. "On second. Top of the order up. My instincts have got to be better. It was a screw up. I take responsibility for this loss. It's my fault, for sure."

***

Hindsight is always 20-20, so the second-guessers will say Manuel should've replaced Hamels before he gave up the decisive homer by Prince Fielder. I think Manuel did the right thing by sticking with his ace, who had retired 18 of the previous 22 batters, 10 by strikeout. Yeah, I know J.C. Romero's job is to get out left-handed hitters like Fielder. And I know Fielder already had homered once against Hamels. But to me, and apparently Manuel, Ryan Braun's leadoff double wasn't enough of a sign that Hamels was done. And if you're going to lose that game, wouldn't you rather do it with Hamels on the mound than anyone else?

***

Talked to Brad Lidge before last night's game about his strong start. Lidge said it's pretty simple, really. He's sticking with his fastball and slider (his slider has been particularly nasty). Over the past two years, he has tinkered with other pitches in April, and they haven't worked. Last season, after fumbling the closer job in Houston, he scrapped a cut fastball and split-finger, went back to the fastball-slider combo, and pitched well for the rest of the year. This season, he said he was determined to use only the fastball-slider, and so far, it's working.
***

Geoff Jenkins showed his class when he took out a full-page ad in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel last November to thank the fans for 10 good years with the Brewers. Many of those fans showed their last night by giving Jenkins a standing ovation before his first at-bat. It was much different than last season, when they booed Wes Helms, another former Brewer. The difference: Helms left the Brewers of his own volition and signed a free-agent contract with Florida in 2006. The Brewers cut Jenkins loose and made him a free agent when they didn't pick up his $9 million option for 2008.

Fans, like everyone else, prefer to do the dumping instead of being dumped.

Back later with lineups and in-game updates.

April 23 -- RETURN OF THE JENK

MILWAUKEE -- So, after a 5 a.m. wakeup call and an early-morning flight on Midwest Airlines, we've arrived here in the Brew City, home of Arthur Fonzarelli, Laverne and Shirley, and of course, the famous sausages that race around Miller Park during the seventh-inning stretch at Brewers' games. (I'm hardly a gambling man, but I always pull for the chorizo). If you like beer and/or bratwurst (I say yes to both), this is the town for you. When I'm in Milwaukee, I always try to stop here for some dinner.

But the Phillies' resident Milwaukee expert -- and Brett Favre lookalike (see below) -- is right fielder Geoff Jenkins, who spent 10 seasons with the Brewers. He was Milwaukee's first-round pick in 1995, and he ranks second on the franchise's all-time home-run list with 212, behind only Hall of Famer Robin Yount (251). Jenkins liked it here so much that, when the Brewers declined his $9 million contract option for 2008, he took out a full-page ad in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel to thank the fans for their support.

That's classy.

"When you're there for a decade and you're part of something, it's just something I wanted to do," Jenkins told me before last night's game in Colorado. "I enjoyed my time there, had some great success, had a lot of fun, played with a lot of guys, and I thought it was something I needed to do for the fans to give back. I wasn't looking for any feedback. I was just looking to say thanks."

Over the past few seasons, Jenkins' star had begun to fade in Milwaukee, as the Brewers developed young stars like Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun. Jenkins will be in the lineup the next two nights against right-handers Dave Bush and Jeff Suppan. Here's hoping the Miller Park crowd gives him an nice ovation before his first at-bat tonight.

We'll be back with the lineups in a bit.

***

***
(Updated, 6:22 p.m.): Tonight's lineup against Brewers RHP Dave Bush: CF Jayson Werth (.300/3/8), 3B Greg Dobbs (.346/1/6), 2B Chase Utley (.357/9/20), 1B Ryan Howard (.190/4/9), LF Pat Burrell (.357/7/22), RF Geoff Jenkins (.250/1/3), C Carlos Ruiz (.200/0/6), SS Eric Bruntlett (.180/1/1), LHP Cole Hamels (2-2, 1.86 ERA).

April 23 -- BURRELL MAKES 'EM PAY

DENVER -- Pity Clint Hurdle.

With his team leading 6-5 in the ninth inning last night, and the Phillies threatening with runners on second and third and one out, the Rockies manager was faced with an impossible decision. Either he could have closer Manny Corpas pitch to slumping Ryan Howard, or he could order that Corpas walk Howard to pitch to sizzling Pat Burrell.

Flip a coin.

Hurdle made the move that most managers would've made. He walked Howard, setting up a possible game-ending double play and a righty-on-righty matchup between Burrell and Corpas. But, except for Chase Utley, there's been no hotter hitter in the Phillies' lineup -- and perhaps in the entire National League -- than Burrell. And even after falling behind 0-2, Burrell waited for a fastball from Corpas and jerked a bases-clearing double to center field that gave the Phils an 8-6 victory.

"Against a sinker-ball guy, the approach is to just try to get something you can elevate," Burrell said. "A ground ball is not good because that's a double play. Fortunately, I hung around long enough to get something to hit. In that situation, the pressure is really on the pitcher. Not that there's not pressure on the hitter. But he's got to execute pitches.

"When I hit it, I thought, 'Oh cool, a sacrifice fly.' But it seemed like the ball hung up there quite a bit."

***

Stop the presses: The Phillies have won three straight games for the first time this season, and at 11-10, they're over .500 in April for the first time since April 21, 2005.

"Usually, that happens in June," Burrell said.

***
So, in a few hours, it's on to Milwaukee. We'll have more from Miller Park tomorrow, including the return of Geoff Jenkins to the city in which he played for the past 10 seasons. For now, though, here's a look at the matchups for the series.

PHILLIES (11-10) at BREWERS (12-8)
Tonight, 8:05: LHP Cole Hamels (2-2, 1.86) vs. RHP Dave Bush (0-3, 7.02)
Thursday, 1:05: LHP Jamie Moyer (1-1, 4.79) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (1-0, 4.13)
Hot: Phillies LF Pat Burrell leads the National League with 22 RBIs; Phillies 2B Chase Utley led the NL in home runs (nine), extra-base hits (18), slugging percentage (.823) and total bases (65) entering Tuesday night's game; Brewers LF Ryan Braun, last season's NL Rookie of the Year, has four hits in his last nine at-bats; Brewers OF Gabe Kapler is batting .382 this season after coming out of retirement.
Not: Phillies 3B Pedro Feliz had one hit in his last 15 at-bats before picking up three hits Tuesday night; Phillies 1B Ryan Howard has struck out at least once in eight straight games; Brewers 1B Prince Fielder has only one homer through 20 games; Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks has three hits in his last 19 at-bats.

April 22 -- ATKINS ON UTLEY

DENVER -- Garrett Atkins gave the best-man speech at Chase Utley's nuptials in January 2007 (sorry ladies, Utley is, in fact, married), and he said the experience was more nerve-wracking than playing in the World Series last October.

"That was way worse," Atkins told me before tonight's game. "I was probably 20 times more nervous than trying to hit in the playoffs. It was my first [best-man speech]. I think I had a few cocktails to make myself loosen up a little bit."

And Utley?

"You know him. He doesn't show nerves at all," Atkins said.

And Atkins isn't surprised by the his college roommate's recent power surge. Last night, Utley tied a Phillies record by homering in his fifth straight game, and he leads the NL in several offensive categories, including homers (9), extra-base hits (18) and slugging percentage (.823). Is it too soon to start thinking about him as an NL MVP candidate?

"You don't want to handicap the race in April," Atkins said, "but it's got to be between Chase and [Cubs first baseman] Derrek Lee right now. He got off to the hot start last year, and he was probably the leading MVP candidate at the time he got hurt. He's a great hitter, and when things are going well like they are right now, anything's possible. Six home runs in five days, and nine home runs already, that's pretty impressive."

April 22 -- THRILL OF THE CHASE

DENVER -- So, Chase Utley made history in the sixth inning here last night, becoming only the fourth Phillies player to belt a home run in five straight games. The others: Bobby Abreu (May 8-12, 2005), Mike Schmidt (July 6-10, 1979) and Dick Allen (May 27-June 1, 1969). Pretty good company.

But it was Utley's mind-bending defense that had his teammates talking.

By now, it no doubt has been played on every highlight show. But, in case you missed it, Utley launched himself in the air, practically getting parallel with the ground, to snag Clint Barmes' grounder that hit the mound and changed direction. If the ball had gotten past Utley, it almost certainly would've scored at least one run, perhaps two. The Rockies already were leading 3-0 in the third inning against Kyle Kendrick, and they had the bases loaded with one out.

And while my game story in most editions of The Paper leads with slumping Carlos Ruiz's game-winning hit, the very latest edition features reaction from the Phillies on Utley's defensive wizardry, starting with The Man himself.

Utley: "The ball took a funny hop off the mound, but fortunately, it hung up in the air. I got lucky and caught it."

Kendrick: "It was amazing. That was the play of the game. I owe him a steak dinner. He's pretty good. He saved our [butts]."

Jayson Werth: "Incredible. One of the best plays I've seen -- ever."

Charlie Manuel: "Big play. Great play. That might've turned the game around."

***

If Manuel had to pick the faces for his Mount Rushmore of baseball players, he probably would start with Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew. Hang around Manuel, and you'll hear him talk about those guys a lot. Tony Oliva is another player he mentions quite often. And, of course, he has a long relationship with Jim Thome. But Manuel puts Utley's name right alongside those others.

"Chase Utley is a very, very, very tough player," Manuel said before last night's game. "I've been in the game a long time, and he's as tough as any player I've seen. I'm talking about old throwback players, guys like Pete Rose and Kirby Puckett. You could put Utley in that category. He could play with any of them."

Also, within the notebook, J.C. Romero talks about how he convinced Jimmy Rollins to go on the disabled list.

***

Between Utley's heroics and Ruiz's big hit, I ran out of real estate in the 50-center to really get into Werth's inside-the-park home run in the sixth inning. The ball caromed off the base of the center-field wall and kicked away from Willy Taveras. Werth, probably the funniest guy on the team, was asked if he'd ever hit an inside-the-parker before.

"I was 13. Mount Zion," Werth said, referring to a suburb near his native Springfield, Ill. "Back fields. Corner field. No, it didn't get trapped under the fence."

Just the other day, Manuel was talking about how Werth is deceptively fast. Manuel even said he may take Werth in a foot race against Shane Victorino. So, how did Werth feel as he was rounding third and heading for home in the thin Rocky Mountain air?

"It's not the same as sea level, I'll tell you that," he said. "We almost had to call in an oxygen tank."

***

Spoke to Eric Bruntlett before batting practice yesterday about filling Rollins' shoes. Something to remember about Bruntlett: He's a .250 career hitter who began last season in the minors. In other words, he's no Rollins. But all the Phillies are really looking for from him is solid defense at shortstop, and he certainly came up big Sunday night with his game-ending -- and game-saving -- play to rob Carlos Beltran of the potential single that would've tied the score.

April 21 -- MEMORIES

DENVER -- Because we're at Coors Field, and because I'm staring at the field where this actually happened, please indulge me this flashback to last July 8.

April 21 -- ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

DENVER -- Greetings from the Mile High City.

In addition to being one of my favorite stops in the National League (very underrated among East Coast folks who so rarely come out this way), Denver is, of course, where the Phillies' brief playoff run came to a close last October with a Game 3 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field. I'm sure last night's sweep-averting 5-4 win over the Mets made the overnight flight more pleasant for the Phils, who will send Kyle Kendrick to the mound tonight.

A little about Denver: Coors Field is located in the LoDo (lower downtown) section of town, and there are plenty of good restaurants nearby. If you're ever here, check out this place, or this one, or even this one. But if you eat here, make sure you bring your appetite. Not far from LoDo, you'll find 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian nirvana with plenty of restaurants and shops.

The Rockies were the talk of the town last autumn, winning 14 of their last 15 regular-season games, including that thrilling play-in game against the Padres to capture the NL wild-card berth (still waiting for Matt Holliday to touch the plate, by the way). Then, they swept the Phillies and Diamondbacks to advance to the World Series, where they were ousted by the Red Sox. But, like the Phillies, the Rockies are off to a slow start in 2008, taking a 9-9 record into tonight's game. Here's a preview of what you'll see over the next two days.

PHILLIES (9-10) at ROCKIES (9-9)
Tonight, 8:35: RHP Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 4.40) vs. LHP Mark Redman (2-1, 4.60)
Tuesday, 8:35: RHP Brett Myers (2-1, 3.96) vs. LHP Jeff Francis (0-2, 5.89)
Hot: Phillies 2B Chase Utley is 8-for-16 (.500) with five homers and eight RBIs in the last four games; Phillies C Chris Coste has six hits in his last 10 at-bats; Rockies LF Matt Holliday (right) is 13-for-34 (.382) in the last eight games; Rockies 2B Clint Barmes has started four of the past five games and is 8-for-25 (.320) during that span.
Not: Phillies 1B Ryan Howard has one hit and seven strikeouts in his last 14 at-bats; Phillies C Carlos Ruiz has two hits in his last 14 at-bats; Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki is 6-for-41 (.146) in his last nine games; Rockies C Yorvit Torrealba, who batted .389 against the Phillies last season, has four hits in his last 21 at-bats.

More later from the ballpark.

April 20 -- MORE ON ROLLINS

So, Jimmy Rollins is taking the blame for not agreeing to go on the disabled list sooner, and before tonight's game, assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. admitted the Phillies probably erred by not forcing the issue. These quotes -- from Rollins, Amaro and Charlie Manuel -- come courtesy of colleague Geoff Mosher, who's pinch-hitting at The Bank as I travel to Denver for the opener of the Phillies-Rockies series tomorrow.

Rollins: "Most of it was me. [Athletic trainer] Scott [Sheridan] asked me if I was willing a couple days ago, but my idea was to keep going if I could work on it. You know pain is going to be associated, and that's part of it. I don't mind that. But not being able to go out there and be useful was really the ultimate decision.

"It's going to take, at best, a week before you can go out and play, and that's under very good circumstances. The average time is three weeks, 21 days, so getting on [the DL] now only puts me at 25. I was trying to see how far I could go. There wasn't any swelling. There was just it being tender, and of course, going on the DL is something I don't look forward to."

Amaro: "We had talked through this whole process about whether it made sense for us to DL him. Jimmy didn't feel comfortable with that situation. His ankle continued to feel better. It just got to the point where it maxed out. He didn't get to the point where he could play like Jimmy Rollins could play without risking more injury and we agreed."

Manuel: "When he first got hurt, and he came out the next day, the way he was moving around I didn't think it was going to be very long. I definitely didn't think it was going to be 10 days to two weeks or something like that. But that's why you got doctors and that's why there are trainers, and that's why I'm not a doctor and I'm not a trainer."

***

A few quick observations from the Phillies' sweep-averting 5-4 win tonight:

1. From the files of what's in a name, how often do you see Pedro Feliz homer against Pedro Feliciano? Actually, tonight was the first time. And it was a big home run, a game-winner, in fact.

2. Chase Utley has five homers in his last four games.

3. Nobody expects Eric Bruntlett to hit like Rollins. But if he can keep making plays like the one on Carlos Beltran to end tonight's game, he'll have done his job in replacing Rollins.

April 20 -- BREAKING: ROLLINS TO DL (UPDATED)

So, after days and days of insisting that Jimmy Rollins wouldn't have to go on the disabled list, the Phillies announced a few minutes ago that Rollins is being placed on the DL.

Oops.

And, because Rollins pinch-hit yesterday against the Mets, he isn't eligible to be activated until at least May 5.

Double oops.

It should be noted that Rollins looked more mobile yesterday when he tested his sprained left ankle by fielding grounders during batting practice and when he ran to first base after grounding out in the sixth inning. And Rollins has never before been on the DL during his eight-year major-league career. Just yesterday, in fact, he was boasting of his ability to steer clear of the DL. But, as Rollins also said yesterday, "It's an ankle. It would be nice if you didn't have one." He meant that sprained ankles can linger for several weeks, even months. So, it's no surprise that Rollins hasn't progressed much since the injury occurred April 8 at Shea Stadium.

Anyway, we'll have more on this story as it develops.

Outfielder Chris Snelling also went on the DL today with left knee inflammation. The Phillies have recalled infielder Brad Harman and outfielder T.J. Bohn from the minors. Here's a look at how Harman was doing at Class AA Reading and Bohn at Class AAA Lehigh Valley. Offensively, neither has gotten off to a particularly strong start.

(Update, 6:18 p.m.): Here's what Rollins had to say today at The Bank. Click here to listen to the audiofile: Jimmy.mp3

April 20 -- HARD TIMES FOR HOWARD

Well, what do you think is wrong with Ryan Howard? No, I'm really asking. If you have any ideas, the Phillies would love to hear them. Seriously.

Charlie Manuel knows a lot about hitting. A lot. The man loves to talk about it, and he's gone toe-to-toe for hours with the likes of Ted Williams about the best approach to hitting a baseball. But when it comes to Howard's early-season struggles, even Manuel seems to be at a loss.

When the Phillies face the Mets tonight -- and try to stave off a three-game sweep -- at The Bank, Howard will be batting .182 (12-for-66) with 26 strikeouts. He's hitless in his last 10 at-bats with six strikeouts. And the best explanation that he or Manuel can come up with is that he's "uncomfortable" at the plate.

Ya think?

"I'm just not seeing the ball the way I want to see it," Howard said after going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts yesterday. "When you're not comfortable, that's what happens."

Said Manuel, who has told Howard to move closer to the plate, particularly against lefties: "He's just wanting to do too much. He's struggling and not hitting too good right now. That's common. We've got to work our way out of it. Believe me, he's trying hard. He's coachable. He'll listen."

So, amateur hitting coaches, what do y'all think?

***

Spent a few minutes before yesterday's game with Jimmy Rollins, and trust me, it's killing him that he's still unable to start a game. Especially against the Mets. Especially on national TV. At every key point yesterday, Rollins stood on the top step of the dugout to enhance his front-row seat.

Hey, if you can't play, cheerlead.

Considering the circumstances tonight -- Phillies-Mets, ESPN, Mets going for a sweep -- it wouldn't shock me to see Rollins in the lineup, even if he limps to the plate Willis Reed-style. He looked more fluid yesterday fielding grounders before the game, and he seemed to run well to first base after grounding out in the sixth inning. But, if I was a gambling man, I'd say he won't start until at least tomorrow night in Denver.

***

Hey, Phillies fans, Billy Wagner says he disapproves of some of your brethren cheering as Jose Reyes writhed in pain at second base Friday night. What has society come to, Wagner asked.

"It's really sad when humanity comes to the point where somebody getting hurt, it's fun to watch," he said. "It's sad when that happens. Nobody wants anybody to get hurt. I don't want Jimmy Rollins getting hurt. I don't want Pat Burrell to get hurt. I want to compete against these guys because they're the best and you want to beat the best.

"When you see Reyes laying there -- it's a tough shot, a clean play -- and the fans cheering that he's hurt, that just goes and shows you volumes about where our society is headed."

***

Finally, in the Sunday MLB notes, Rollins isn't the only shortstop for whom April has been tough. But the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki seems to be heating up, just in time to face the Phillies.

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone.

April 19 -- MASTERING THE PHILS?

A few weeks ago, after the Phillies stretched their winning streak to nine games against the Mets, the question was raised here and elsewhere if the Phillies "had the Mets' number."

Uh, maybe not.

The Phillies left 12 runners on base today and squandered their 11th quality start of the season in a 4-2 loss, their fourth straight against the Mets after rallying for a win in the opener at Shea Stadium on April 8. All four Mets wins have come, by the way, with Jimmy Rollins out of the Phillies' lineup. Rollins may not playing tomorrow night either, as the Mets go for a three-game sweep at The Bank in a nationally-televised ESPN game.

So, Mets manager Willie Randolph, how confident is your team feeling against the Phillies right now?

"We were always confident against the Phillies," Randolph said. "There was no doubt in this team's mind. When a team is really on you, and you know you can't beat them, you know that. We lost some games last year against the Phillies in that so-called streak that everyone likes to bring up where we knew we should have won some of those games. If you know that, then you don't lack confidence against a team."

Chew on that, Phillies fans. Talk to you tomorrow.

April 19 -- WORLD ACCORDING TO WAGS

Whenever the Mets visit Philly, Billy Wagner always is a topic of conversation. And, don't kid yourself, the Mets' closer loves it. Wagner spent two seasons with the Phillies, and during that time, he got cheered and booed, just like every other pro athlete in this town. But Wagner never has been shy about sharing his thoughts with the media, and before yesterday's game, he cleared up his recent comments that the Phillies are less of a formidable rival for the Mets than the Braves in the 1990s.

Well, duh.

The Braves won 14 straight division titles. The Phillies have won one, last year. Until the Phillies can sustain long-term success, there's no comparison. And while I was able to include Wagner's thoughts on the Phillies-Mets rivalry in today's notebook, I ran out of real estate to use this quote about how he gets treated by Phillies fans whenever he returns to town with the hated Mets: "It's a tough place to play, a very draining place to play. That's why you have to be ready to go, mentally. [The fans] like to talk about family members and animals. They get a little twisted. It can be a hard thing to swallow."

April 19 -- THIS JUST IN: JOHAN'S GOOD

So, the reviews are in, and guess what? Johan Santana is good. Check out some of the Phillies' comments after last night's 6-4 loss to Johan and the Mets.

Charlie Manuel: "He has tremendous poise. He will give you good pitches to hit, but his slider's good, his fastball's good and his changeup's really good. Give him credit, man. He was that tough."

Chase Utley: "He was mixing his pitches well, and he was hitting the corners extremely well. He's tough.

So Taguchi: "His stuff is perfect, I think."

The Phillies better get used to it, though. They're going to see Santana again at various points throughout the season. I'm no hitting coach, but to me, the Phillies would be best served trying to ratchet up Santana's pitch count rather than swinging at first pitches (I'm talking to you, Pedro Feliz in the fifth inning last night) and get to the Mets' shaky bullpen more quickly. Aaron Heilman, in particular, struggles against the Phils, posting an 8.10 ERA, higher than against any other NL team.

Last night, Santana didn't leave the game until the eighth inning, and the Phillies nearly pulled it off when Greg Dobbs hit a pinch-hit three-run homer against none other than Heilman. What if they could make him throw 100 pitches in six innings? Regardless, though, Santana figures to be a nightmare for the Phils' lefty-dominant lineup. But, then, isn't what the Mets got him for?

April 19 -- VICTORINO AFFECTED BY ROLLINS?

Shane Victorino, strained right calf and all, jogged in the outfield before batting practice yesterday. He will report to the Phillies' spring-training facility in Clearwater, Fla., today, and by Friday, he said he could be playing for Class AA Reading (and for Class AAA Lehigh Valley next weekend). If all goes well, he likely will be activated before the Phillies' April 29 game against San Diego at The Bank.

All of which begs this question: Could Victorino have avoided the disabled list if Jimmy Rollins hadn't already been injured?

"I would think so," Victorino told me and two other reporters before last night's game. "I would think that might have happened. With both of us going down, somebody had to [go on the DL]. Obviously, they felt like he was going to be ready earlier, which is obvious because he was able to [pinch-hit] in games."

But Rollins has been unable to start since suffering a sprained left ankle April 8, and when Victorino went down last Saturday night, the Phillies couldn't afford two active but hobbled players on the bench. So, they placed Victorino on the DL and called up Chris Snelling from Lehigh Valley. Pat Gillick rejected the suggestion that Rollins' injury had anything to do with Victorino's status, saying "it was a decision based on the recommendation of the trainer and the doctor."

The Phillies also considered Victorino's injury history. He missed three weeks last August with a strained calf muscle, albeit in a different region, and was nagged by the injury in September.

"Definitely last year's injury rang a bell," Victorino said. "Same leg, so of course you're going to think, 'We don't want to prolong it for a month, month and a half. Why can't we make it two weeks?' It definitely made the decision easier. But I feel good. The progress is going the right direction. I'm in no rush. I've got until the 28th to get back. Hopefully, I'll be ready."

***

Chatted with Mets star third baseman David Wright before last night's game about his appearance a few nights ago on The Late Show With David Letterman. Smashing baseballs pitched by the soft-tossing Letterman on 53rd Street would foul up plenty of hitters' swings. I asked Wright if his was affected.

"Too early to tell," he said with a smile.

Hmm. Looked pretty good last night. Wright, previously 1-for-11 against Cole Hamels, went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and fell a home run short of hitting for the cycle. Wright had as many hits as the Phillies' entire team against Johan Santana.

***

Didn't make The Paper: Mets manager Willie Randolph on the Phillies' lineup without Rollins and Victorino: "You take that type of speed out of the lineup, of course it's going to be different. That doesn't mean it's any less tough. It's just different."

April 18 -- LINEUPS FOR HAMELS-SANTANA

T-minus 5 minutes until first pitch. ...

For the Mets vs. Cole Hamels: SS Jose Reyes (.296/1/7), RF Ryan Church (.321/2/10), 3B David Wright (.283/4/15), CF Carlos Beltran (.283/1/7), 1B Carlos Delgado (.245/1/6), LF Angel Pagan (.333/0/10), C Brian Schneider (.267/0/6), 2B Luis Castillo (.244/0/1), LHP Johan Santana (1-2, 3.05)

For the Phillies vs. Johan Santana: RF So Taguchi (.286/0/1), CF Jayson Werth (.370/1/5), 2B Chase Utley (.317/4/11), 1B Ryan Howard (.211/4/9), LF Pat Burrell (.373/6/17), 3B Pedro Feliz (.226/2/7), C Carlos Ruiz (.186/0/3), SS Eric Bruntlett (.176/1/1), LHP Cole Hamels (2-1, 0.82)

***

Great stat, courtesy of WIP's Brian Startare: Hamels is only the third pitcher in Phillies history to go seven innings or more and allow one run or less in three straight starts to open a season. The others? Billy Champion in 1969 and Curt Schilling in 1998. Neither Champion nor Schilling were able to do it four straight times.

***

J.C. Romero walked by a few minutes ago and said he's getting his popcorn ready. Should be fun. Enjoy.

April 18 -- MARQUEE MATCHUP

In order to be a baseball writer, one first must love baseball. Makes sense, right? But, and I'm somewhat ashamed to admit this, it's easy to become jaded about baseball when you cover it for a living.

It's a job, much as any other, and while most of us wouldn't trade this particular job for almost anything, the ballparks that once gave us so much joy now remind us of the pressure to write a coherent story while meeting our newspaper's deadlines, the athletes from whom we must coax quotes on a nightly basis, the anxiety that the competition has uncovered a story that we didn't know about, and the many nights and weekends we spend on the road, away from family and friends.

There are times, however, when we're reminded of why we delved into this enterprise in the first place. For me, tonight will be one of those times. There isn't a seat to be had at The Bank to watch the Phillies meet the Mets -- and, more specifically, Cole Hamels meet Johan Santana in a battle of the NL's best left-handers and perhaps the two best changeups in all of baseball. And it'll be my distinct privilege to watch Hamels and Santana and undertake the challenge of writing about them for The Paper and here on The Blog.

This is one of those games that has even the participating athletes excited. After yesterday's game, Phils reliever J.C. Romero told me he doesn't want to miss a pitch. "The first five or six innings, I'll be a fan," said Romero, Santana's former teammate with Minnesota. "I'll be in the bullpen, just watching a nice baseball game. [Santana] is going to bring his best stuff. Cole is going to bring his best stuff. It's going to be fun."

I couldn't agree more.

***

Here's how the Phillies have fared over the years against Santana:

Geoff Jenkins: 3-for-12, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
Pedro Feliz: 1-for-4, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Jimmy Rollins: 0-for-3, 1 strikeout
Pat Burrell: 0-for-1, 1 walk
Eric Bruntlett, Chris Coste, Greg Dobbs, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, Chris Snelling, So Taguchi, Chase Utley and Jayson Werth have never faced Santana in a regular-season game.

***

With Rollins and Shane Victorino injured, Charlie Manuel seemingly has been throwing darts at the wall to come up with a top-of-the-lineup combination that works. He found one yesterday with Taguchi and Dobbs, who each had two hits in the Phillies' 10-2, series-winning rout of Houston. Taguchi will start in place of lefty-swinging Jenkins tonight against Santana. Manuel said he will consider giving Coste another start, too. Coste went 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs yesterday. Meanwhile, No. 1 catcher Ruiz is hitless in his last seven at-bats and batting only .186.

April 17 -- ROLLINS UPDATE

A little while ago, assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. addressed the results of Jimmy Rollins' MRI exam and reiterated that the Phillies do NOT intend to place Mr. MVP on the disabled list. Rollins, as you know, has been out since last week with a left ankle sprain.

"We do believe that he should be ready to play by Saturday or Sunday," Amaro told us in the Phillies' clubhouse. "Not sure if he's actually going to play those days, but he's progressing towards that. We don't have any concern that there's any greater or less damage than we thought."

So, there's that.

April 17 -- WEEK 3 AUDIOFILE

Not to distract from the in-game updates in the post directly below, but as I said we would, Camden Courier-Post beat writer Mike Radano and I taped our weekly Phillies audiocast shortly before today's game started. This week, Mike and I discussed the value of a healthy Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard's need to step up while Rollins is out, and the big weekend series against the Mets, which starts tomorrow night with the dream matchup of Cole Hamels and Johan Santana (more on that later).

To listen to us rap for 12 minutes, click here: R09_0003.mp3

April 17 -- LINEUP ... AND UPDATES

Another day, another lineup for the Phillies. If you're counting, this is the 12th different lineup (not including pitchers) that Charlie Manuel has written out in 16 games. Today's vintage, against Astros RHP Brandon Backe:

CF So Taguchi (.222/0/1)
3B Greg Dobbs (.200/0/2)
2B Chase Utley (.310/3/9)
1B Ryan Howard (.189/3/7)
LF Pat Burrell (.362/5/15)
RF Geoff Jenkins (.216/1/2)
C Chris Coste (.267/1/1)
SS Eric Bruntlett (.207/1/1)
RHP Brett Myers (1-1, 5.00)

Also, Jimmy Rollins underwent an MRI exam today for what the Phillies called "informational purposes." The team says it has been pleased with how Rollins is progressing.

(Update, 1:17 p.m.): So far, Lineup No. 12 is working. Taguchi (above, Getty Images) and Dobbs laced back-to-back singles, and after Utley struck out, Howard lined an RBI single to right. Burrell followed with an RBI single in the hole at shortstop (yes, an infield single for Burrell). Then, Jenkins doubled, scoring Howard. Burrell was out at the plate. Not sure why third-base coach Steve Smith waved him home, but considering it's the first inning, I don't mind him taking a gamble there. 3-0 Phillies, end first.

(Update, 1:37 p.m.): So, Astros third-base Ed Romero just trumped Smith. With two out and the pitcher scheduled to bat next, Romero waved slow-footed Carlos Lee to the plate on a single to right by Humberto Quintero. Lee was easily thrown out by Jenkins. Still 3-0 Phillies.

(Update, 2:03 p.m.): Burrell opened the third with a walk and went to third when third baseman Geoff Blum's throw on a grounder by Jenkins pulled second baseman Mark Loretta off the bag. Coste followed with an RBI double off the left-field wall. Myers, by the way, has five strikeouts through three. 4-0 Phillies, end third.

(Update, 2:16 p.m.): Solo homer to right by Miguel Tejada got Houston on the board, but Utley answered with a two-run shot to right. 6-1 Phillies, fourth.

(Update, 2:57 p.m.): Back-to-back jacks by Howard and Burrell against Astros reliever Oscar Villarreal. 8-1 Phillies in the sixth.

(Update, 3:35 p.m.): To cap his four-hit, three-RBI day, Coste belted a two-run homer to center field against struggling Astros closer Jose Valverde. 10-1 Phillies, end eighth.