So, Charlie Manuel has this recurring fantasy.
"I'd like to be Big Brown," the Phillies' manager revealed yesterday. "I'd like to look back and see somebody behind me, chasing. That'd be good."
To clarify: Manuel doesn't actually want to be a horse. But he'd like for the Phillies to seize first place, build a nice lead and hold it throughout the summer.
And, hey, it might just happen.
The Phillies moved into first place last night by pummeling the upstart Marlins, 12-3, at the sold-out Bank, and while there's still a long way to go before the season heads into its home stretch, everything is falling into place.
Start with the offense: Since last Sunday, and including the seven-run second inning that erased Florida's early three-run lead, the Phillies' run totals have been higher than the price of gas. They have reached double digits in runs in three of the past five games, a stretch in which they are batting .337 (61-for-181) with 60 runs. Go back even farther. Over their last nine games, the Phillies are averaging 9.3 runs. With 41 home runs this month, they have set a franchise record for May, breaking the previous mark of 39 in 2006. And for the first time since May 14-19, 2004, they have scored six runs or more in five straight games. Shane Victorino has a career-high 11-game hitting streak. Chase Utley is leading the majors with 18 homers. Ryan Howard has 10 homers in May. The entire Royals team has 11.
Now, consider Brett Myers' encouraging performance last night. Myers, who was 0-4 with an 8.02 ERA in his last four starts, was at his worst in the first inning. Only eight of his 21 pitches were strikes, and even worse, 17 of the first 18 were either a ball or put in play, as the Marlins punished Myers for three runs. But he cruised through the next seven innings, blanking the Marlins and fanning a season-high 11 batters for his 10th career double-digit strikeout game. For only the second time in 12 starts, Myers survived the eighth inning, and for the first time since April 17 against the Astros, he earned a victory.
Hey, when things come together for Phillies, they really come together.
So, what were you most impressed with last night?
***
Manuel also revealed something else yesterday: He thinks Utley may be the best player he's ever seen. Also within the notebook, we caught up with Wes Helms, who has found happiness again in a backup role in Florida.
***
Got an e-mail yesterday from Josh Goldberg, one of Jimmy Rollins' agents, and I thought I'd pass along some information. Rollins will host his third annual charity Basebowl Tournament on Thursday, June 19 at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley on Chestnut Street in Center City Philly. Bowling begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by a live auction and awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation in Philadelphia. Howard, Utley, Pat Burrell, Cole Hamels and others will join Rollins. For information, call 215-545-2471.
"I'd like to be Big Brown," the Phillies' manager revealed yesterday. "I'd like to look back and see somebody behind me, chasing. That'd be good."
To clarify: Manuel doesn't actually want to be a horse. But he'd like for the Phillies to seize first place, build a nice lead and hold it throughout the summer.
And, hey, it might just happen.
The Phillies moved into first place last night by pummeling the upstart Marlins, 12-3, at the sold-out Bank, and while there's still a long way to go before the season heads into its home stretch, everything is falling into place.
Start with the offense: Since last Sunday, and including the seven-run second inning that erased Florida's early three-run lead, the Phillies' run totals have been higher than the price of gas. They have reached double digits in runs in three of the past five games, a stretch in which they are batting .337 (61-for-181) with 60 runs. Go back even farther. Over their last nine games, the Phillies are averaging 9.3 runs. With 41 home runs this month, they have set a franchise record for May, breaking the previous mark of 39 in 2006. And for the first time since May 14-19, 2004, they have scored six runs or more in five straight games. Shane Victorino has a career-high 11-game hitting streak. Chase Utley is leading the majors with 18 homers. Ryan Howard has 10 homers in May. The entire Royals team has 11.
Now, consider Brett Myers' encouraging performance last night. Myers, who was 0-4 with an 8.02 ERA in his last four starts, was at his worst in the first inning. Only eight of his 21 pitches were strikes, and even worse, 17 of the first 18 were either a ball or put in play, as the Marlins punished Myers for three runs. But he cruised through the next seven innings, blanking the Marlins and fanning a season-high 11 batters for his 10th career double-digit strikeout game. For only the second time in 12 starts, Myers survived the eighth inning, and for the first time since April 17 against the Astros, he earned a victory.
Hey, when things come together for Phillies, they really come together.
So, what were you most impressed with last night?
***
Manuel also revealed something else yesterday: He thinks Utley may be the best player he's ever seen. Also within the notebook, we caught up with Wes Helms, who has found happiness again in a backup role in Florida.
***
Got an e-mail yesterday from Josh Goldberg, one of Jimmy Rollins' agents, and I thought I'd pass along some information. Rollins will host his third annual charity Basebowl Tournament on Thursday, June 19 at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley on Chestnut Street in Center City Philly. Bowling begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by a live auction and awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation in Philadelphia. Howard, Utley, Pat Burrell, Cole Hamels and others will join Rollins. For information, call 215-545-2471.
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