May 27 -- HITTIN' SEASON

OK, we get it. The Phillies' offense is hot.

But, as Martin Frank writes, Charlie Manuel thought this may happen. With the Phillies returning home last night to summer-like weather, they lit up the Rockies for 20 runs, the most they've scored in a game since July 3, 1999 against the Cubs. Combined with the 15 runs they tallied Sunday in Houston, it matches their highest two-game output since they scored 35 runs July 2-3, 1999 against those same Cubbies.

But, really, the offensive onslaught began last Wednesday night when the Phillies hung 12 runs on Washington at Nationals Park. That was six games ago, and during this stretch, the Phillies have scored 60 runs and are batting .349 (82-for-235) with a .418 on-base percentage and .613 slugging percentage.

That's crazy.

Here's a breakdown of how each player has done during the six-game stretch. What you'll find is offensive balance throughout the lineup, something the Phillies have been looking for since the season began.

Pedro Feliz: 13-for-27 (.481), 1 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R
Chris Coste: 7-for-17 (.412), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R
Shane Victorino: 11-for-27 (.407), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 10 R
Ryan Howard: 9-for-24 (.375), 4 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R
Greg Dobbs: 3-for-8 (.375), 2 RBI, 2 R
So Taguchi: 3-for-8 (.375), 3 RBI, 3 R
Jimmy Rollins: 10-for-30 (.333), 4 RBI, 3 R
Carlos Ruiz: 4-for-13 (.308), 2 RBI, 2 R
Chase Utley: 7-for-23 (.304), 2 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R
Geoff Jenkins: 4-for-14 (.286), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R
Pat Burrell: 5-for-19 (.263), 3 HR, 3 RBI, 5 R
Eric Bruntlett: 1-for-4 (.250), 3 R
Jayson Werth: 0-for-5 (.000), 1 R
T.J. Bohn: 1-for-2 (.500), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R

Looks like my man Ubaldo will have his hands full tonight.

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Within Martin's notebook, Manuel says Ryan Howard is no Barry Bonds and explains why So Taguchi started in right field. Honestly, if Geoff Jenkins didn't start last night, I can't see any scenario in which he ever gets a start against a left-handed pitcher.

***

Apropos of nothing: The Royals have lost eight straight games and will go for their ninth loss tonight, although I think Brian Bannister (another of my all-time favorite pitchers for reasons I'll explain another time) will lead them to a victory. Anyway, according to the great Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star, only three teams since 2002 have NOT lost eight in a row -- the Yankees, the Red Sox, and you guessed it (or maybe you didn't), the Phillies. Joe wonders if the demanding fans in New York, Boston and Philly have anything to do with keeping their teams from prolonged slumps.

Well, what do you think?