June 30 -- SANTANA TO FACE PHILS

So, Johan Santana will face the Phillies this weekend, after all.

The Mets have shuffled their rotation, and barring a rainout or other unforeseen event this week, Santana will start Friday night's series-opener at the Bank. He'll be followed by John Maine on Saturday night, Tony Armas Jr. on Sunday and Pedro Martinez on Monday night.

How will the Phillies counter? Well, based on a few conversations I've had today, that is still being hashed out. The status of struggling Brett Myers remains uncertain, and until the Phils decide if Myers will make his next start, the rest of the rotation after Kyle Kendrick and Adam Eaton start the next two games in Atlanta won't fall in line.

I'll have more on this in tomorrow's paper, and once I arrive in Atlanta, here on The Blog. For now, though, here's my guess (strictly a guess) on how the rotation will shape up this week:

Tuesday at Atlanta -- Kendrick vs. Charlie Morton
Wednesday at Atlanta -- Eaton vs. Jorge Campillo
Thursday at Atlanta -- J.A. Happ vs. Jair Jurrjens
Friday vs. Mets -- Santana vs. Cole Hamels
Saturday vs. Mets -- Maine vs. Jamie Moyer
Sunday vs. Mets -- Armas vs. Kendrick
Sunday vs. Mets -- Martinez vs. Eaton

What about Myers, you ask? Well, if I was Pat Gillick, Charlie Manuel and/or Rich Dubee, I'd put Myers in the bullpen and let him throw long relief in lopsided games, a la Barry Zito, until he can get it together. You make room on the roster for Happ by designating Clay Condrey for assignment or perhaps placing Tom Gordon and his balky right shoulder on the disabled list.

Your thoughts?

June 29 -- BENSON UPDATE

Just a quick note about Kris Benson's start today for Class AAA Lehigh Valley. Benson yielded four runs on five hits in four innings. He didn't walk a batter and recorded one strikeout. Benson threw 73 pitches, 49 strikes. His fastball velocity was consistently in the high-80s, but he reportedly touched 93 at one point.

Syracuse manufactured a run in the first inning when speedy Wayne Lydon (I covered him in the minors with the Mets, and trust me, the dude can fly) reached on an infield single, stole a base and scored on a groundout. After a 1-2-3 second inning, Benson allowed a leadoff double in the third to Russ Adams, who scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly. A leadoff single by former Phils farmhand Danny Sandoval and a double by Newark native Kevin Mench sparked Syracuse's two-run fourth inning.

June 29 -- IN A PINCH, DOBBS IS A CINCH

Greg Dobbs would rather be an everyday player in the Phillies' lineup.

But he also doesn't mind being known as baseball's best pinch-hitter.

"It's flattering," Dobbs told me recently when we sat down to discuss the art of pinch-hitting, a skill he seemingly has mastered. "It's the role I've been put in because it's a way I can help the team win, so I have to put my personal aspirations aside and work my tail off for this club. At the same time, I don't want to get branded as a part-time player or strictly a pinch-hitter."

Ask just about anyone, and they'll tell you that pinch-hitting is the most thankless job a player can have. Being a successful hitter is difficult enough when you get four at-bats per game. Try having much success when you get four at-bats per week, usually against hard-throwing setup men and closers with the game hanging in the balance. But Dobbs is about as good as it gets. He entered the weekend batting .432 (16-for-37) with 11 RBIs as a pinch-hitter, production that far exceeded everyone else in the majors. A few of Dobbs' more memorable pinch-hits for the Phillies include his grand slam against the Mets last Sept. 16 at Shea Stadium and his RBI single in the ninth inning of a 1-0 win May 20 at Nationals Park.

In today's News Journal, we set out to explain why Dobbs is so good in a pinch. For starters, he had a good mentor. Dave Hansen, Dobbs' teammate with the Mariners in 2005, was among the best pinch-hitters in the majors for 15 seasons. He was kind enough to speak with us last week, and after 30 minutes, he made it abundantly clear that pinch-hitting is a "state of mind" as much as it is a physical skill. Greg Gross, the venerable former Phillies' pinch-hitter, reiterated many of Hansen's points in a conversation last week.

But Gross also summed up how most pinch-hitters feel about their role.

"I wouldn't want to wish the job on anyone," he said.

***
A week from today, the rosters will be unveiled for the 79th annual All-Star Game. Which Phillies will find themselves at Yankee Stadium on July 15? Based on the weekly voting returns we've been seeing, Chase Utley is a lock to be the NL's starting second baseman. In our Sunday MLB notes, we examine the All-Star candidacies of several other Phillies, including deserving closer Brad Lidge and ace lefty Cole Hamels. Ryan Howard's all-or-nothing credentials are a little more difficult to assess.

Which Phillies do you think should be All-Stars?

***
If you haven't weighed in yet on what the Phillies should do with Brett Myers, please do. It seems that Myers can make his next scheduled start Thursday in Atlanta, or the Phillies can move reliever Chad Durbin to the rotation or call up someone from the minors, top prospect Carlos Carrasco or Class AAA lefty J.A. Happ?

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone.

June 28 -- MYERS ROCKED ... AGAIN

Here's what Brett Myers said on the February day in Clearwater, Fla., when Charlie Manuel picked him, not Cole Hamels, to be the Phillies' opening-day starter:

"I think I'm a pretty good 1-A."

Really?

In 17 starts, Myers is 3-9 with a 5.84 ERA. He has surrendered 24 home runs, more than any pitcher in the majors. Of the pitchers who qualify for the ERA title, the only ones with a higher ERA than Myers are Brad Penny (5.88), Barry Zito (5.91), Carlos Silva (5.92), Mark Hendrickson (5.93), Ian Snell (5.99) and Bronson Arroyo (6.52).

But here's the most telling stat: The Phillies are 4-13 in Myers' starts, including 1-11 in his last 12.

Simply put, he isn't giving them a chance to win, and last night, after the slumping offense gave him a 5-1 lead on Pedro Feliz's grand slam, Myers all but gave it right back. His body language was disturbing. After almost every hit, he shook head, which was hanging so low that he could've dragged the infield with his lower lip. You get the feeling that Manuel would love to remove Myers from the rotation before his next start, slated for Thursday in Atlanta. But, really, what are the alternatives?

1. Chad Durbin? He has been invaluable to the bullpen, and with the uncertainty of Tom Gordon's shoulder, Durbin's role is being expanded even further.

2. Kris Benson? Yeah, he'll be making his first start Sunday for Class AAA Lehigh Valley, but he probably will need a few more tuneups before he's ready to make his return to the majors after March 2007 shoulder surgery.

3. Carlos Carrasco? The top prospect got roughed up in his start Friday night for Class AA Reading, and although he has generally pitched well (5-7, 4.18 ERA), I haven't gotten the sense that the Phillies believe he's ready to make the leap to the majors.

It has been suggested that the Phillies trade Myers, but his stock has never been lower. His persistent problems, though, make it almost imperative that the Phillies pull off a deal before the July 31 deadline. Then, maybe, Manuel will have a viable option with which to replace Myers.

June 27 -- BEATING THE BEST

So, watching the Phillies' offense get shut down -- and shut out -- yesterday by Athletics starter Rich Harden, the following questions popped into my mind:

1. How much has the Phils' nearly two-week, team-wide slump had to do with facing a series of excellent pitchers?

2. How have the Phillies fared against some of the best pitchers in baseball?

Let's have a look, shall we?

Between the AL and NL, there are 37 pitchers who have tossed at least 55 innings and posted a 3.60 ERA or better. Phillies ace Cole Hamels is one of them. Of the other 36, the Phils have faced 15, and of those 15, they have faced four (Harden, Joe Saunders, Jon Lester and Ervin Santana) within the past two weeks. Here's a look at how those 15 top-flight pitchers have done against the Phillies:

Edinson Volquez (Reds)
April 6 -- 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K, win (Phillies lost, 4-2)
June 4 -- 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K, win (Phillies lost, 2-0)

Rich Harden (Athletics)
June 26 -- 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K, win (Phillies lost, 5-0)

Jorge Campillo (Braves)
June 8 -- 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K, no-decision (Phillies won, 6-3)

Tim Lincecum (Giants)
May 4 -- 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, no-decision (Phillies won, 6-5)
May 10 -- 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K, win (Phillies lost, 8-2)

Shaun Marcum (Blue Jays)
May 18 -- 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K, no-decision (Phillies lost, 6-5)

Johan Santana (Mets)
April 18 -- 7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 10 K, win (Phillies lost, 6-4)

Tim Hudson (Braves)
June 6 -- 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 3 K, no-decision (Phillies won, 4-3 in 10 inn.)

Joe Saunders (Angels)
June 21 -- 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K, win (Phillies lost, 4-2)

Roy Halladay (Blue Jays)
May 18 -- 2.1 IP, 1 H, o R, 0 BB, 2 K, no-decision (Phillies lost, 6-5)

Carlos Zambrano (Cubs)
April 11 -- 6 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 6 K, loss (Phillies won, 5-3)

Jon Lester (Red Sox)
June 17 -- 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, win (Phillies lost, 3-0)

Brandon Webb (Diamondbacks)
May 8 -- 9 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, win (Phillies lost, 8-3)

Ervin Santana (Angels)
June 20 -- 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 9 K, win (Phillies lost, 7-1)

Scott Olsen (Marlins)
June 12 -- 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 7 K, loss (Phillies won, 3-0)

Greg Maddux (Padres)
April 29 -- 6.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K, loss (Phillies won, 7-4)

Overall, the Phillies have gone 6-10 in games against those pitchers, whose cumulative ERA against the Phillies is 2.10. Notable pitchers not included on the list are Houston's Roy Oswalt (1-0, 4.15 ERA in two starts vs. the Phils), San Francisco's Matt Cain (0-0, 2.57 in one start), Toronto's A.J. Burnett (1-0, 2.84 in one start) and Cincinnati's Aaron Harang (0-1, 3.46 ERA in two starts).

Looks to me like the Phillies' offense has its hands full against good pitching. What do you think? Discuss amongst yourselves.

June 26 -- BEHOLD, THE OUTMAN (AND MINOR MATTERS)

READING -- Josh Outman has a great surname for a pitcher.

Lately, though, The Outman hasn't gotten many outs.

In late April, the Phillies moved Outman to the bullpen at Class AA Reading, a product of their need for another left-handed reliever at the major-league level. And while Outman has had mini-stretches of success (he didn't walk a batter in five straight outings last month), he has endured far greater struggles.

As a starter, Outman threw four pitches (fastball, curveball, changeup, slider) and had a 3.16 ERA in five starts. As a reliever, he throws mostly two pitches (fastball, slider) and has a 4.11 ERA in 19 appearances. His control hasn't improved either. In 30-2/3 innings as a reliever, he has walked a whopping 21 batters.

So, did the Phillies make a mistake?

"No regrets," farm director Steve Noworyta said of moving Outman to the bullpen. "He realizes what he has to do. It's not 'woe is me.' He's saying, 'I know I've got things to work on.' When you hear that, you've got to give him every opportunity in that role. Right now, we're happy with the direction he's going, and we're going to stick with it."

***
Kris Benson still has a long way to go before he's ready to pitch for the Phillies. But he took a significant step today. Benson has been promoted to Class AAA Lehigh Valley and will make his next start Sunday at Coca Cola Park in Allentown, Pa. Benson, attempting to come back from right shoulder surgery in March 2007, was 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA (six runs in 6-2/3 innings) in two minor-league starts for Class A Clearwater.

***
Two days ago, we told you about the progress made by center fielder Greg Golson and catcher Lou Marson at Reading. Well, Golson and Marson were named today to the U.S. team for the annual All-Star Futures Game on July 13 at Yankee Stadium. Shortstop Jason Donald also was picked for the U.S. team, while top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco will make his third straight appearance on the World team. Fellow pitching prospect Antonio Bastardo was also picked for the World team, but he won't be able to pitch because of inflammation in his right shoulder.

***
Stat of the day: In Kyle Kendrick's 36 major-league starts, the Phillies are 25-11. But I can't recall them needing a win more than the one Kendrick delivered last night with eight shutout innings against the Athletics. Say what you want about the effect of the Phillies' reconfigured lineup. Last night's 4-0 victory had everything to do with Kendrick.

June 26 -- SIGN STEALING? WADE ATTACKED?

So, as I recall, the Phillies played lousy in the final two games of their series last week against the Red Sox at the Bank, the start of a week-long, team-wide offensive malaise that prompted Charlie Manuel to make drastic overhauls to the lineup last night (more on that later).

Well, apparently, they couldn't have played that poorly without cheating.

According to the Boston Globe, an unnamed "major-league official" thought the Phillies were stealing Boston's signs, even though the Sox won two of three games. The Sox haven't filed a specific complaint with MLB, and GM Theo Epstein declined to comment on the topic. This reminds me of last season when, after being swept at the Bank in late August, the Mets accused the Phillies of stealing signs. MLB vice president of on-field operations Bob Watson even came to the Bank to investigate and found no misconduct. "They can check us out any time they want," Manuel said at the time. "When stuff comes up like that, it's no big deal. They can sit up there during the game with the [television] camera crew, for all I care."

During that situation, Manuel told me that then-Sox manager Jimy Williams accused the Indians of stealing signs during the 1999 AL Championship Series (back then, Manuel was the Tribe's hitting coach). Williams, now the Phillies' bench coach, was sitting nearby in the dugout and said that, eight years later, he still believes the Indians cheated. Williams told me about an elaborate system of sign-stealing that the Indians had concocted. Manuel, listening to all of this, only laughed.

Did the Phillies steal the Sox's signs last week? Who knows? It certainly didn't help.

***
Houston, we have a problem.

Astros GM Ed Wade, formerly the Phillies' GM, has suspended pitcher Shawn Chacon indefinitely for "insubordination to the club." But according to this story in the Houston Chronicle, Chacon threw Wade to the ground after Wade interrupted his dinner and asked him to go to manager Cecil Cooper's office. (By now, you'd think Wade would know that major leaguers don't like to be bothered while they're eating.) According to Chacon, Wade cursed at him and told him to "[expletive] look in the mirror." That's when things got, um, heated. Chacon, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Astros, is 2-3 with a 5.04 ERA.

OK, discuss. I'll be back later with more on Phillies pitching prospect Josh Outman, whose struggles with his conversion from a starter to a reliever are chronicled today in The Paper.

June 25 -- HEADING FOR READING

READING, Pa. -- So, while the Phillies lost for the sixth straight time last night in a game that didn't start until the unfriendly-to-newspaper-deadlines hour of 10:05 p.m., I was at First Energy Stadium in Reading, checking out some of their top prospects.

I wasn't alone.

Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. showed up during batting practice and watched the game from a seat behind home plate. So did farm director Steve Noworyta and scouting coordinator Jim Fregosi Jr. And there was plenty for them to see. Reading is the place to be if you want to get a glimpse of the Phillies' top prospects. They're all there -- from pitchers Carlos Carrasco, Antonio Bastardo, Josh Outman and Fabio Castro to catcher Lou Marson, infielders Jason Donald and Brad Harman, and center fielder Greg Golson.

I caught up with most of them before yesterday's game, but mostly, I spoke at length with Marson and Golson about their positive progress this season.

Golson (above), 22, is on the disabled list and had his sprained left wrist encased in a split, which he'll wear for about another week. Everyone says he already runs and plays defense at a major-league level, and while he continues to strike out at a high rate (once every 3.26 times this season, once every 3.38 times through his minor-league career), he has made strides as a hitter.

It's possible that Golson could be called up by Sept. 1 to serve in the Michael Bourn role, as a pinch-runner and late-game defensive replacement for Pat Burrell. Surely, he can do no worse than So Taguchi, right? But if Golson were healthy, you'd have to wonder if the Phillies would feel more compelled to trade Shane Victorino for pitching help and gamble that Golson is their center fielder of the future.

Marson, who turns 22 tomorrow, is in a mini-slump (5-for-31). But he's still batting .329 and has more walks (48) than strikeouts (45). I covered the Eastern League for five years, and trust me, that's unusual, especially for a hitter as young as Marson. He starts nearly every game, something else you don't often see from a catcher, and the more he plays, the better he gets at calling a game.

Marson seemingly has surpassed Class AAA Lehigh Valley's Jason Jaramillo as the Phils' top catching prospect, and while I doubt he will get a September call-up, it's entirely possible that he pushes for a job in spring training. That makes you wonder if the Phillies would look to trade Carlos Ruiz, if not now then perhaps during the offseason.

Something else to keep an eye on: Marson, Golson and Donald are among 60 finalists for the U.S. Olympic baseball team. They'll find out by the middle of July if they've been selected to go to Beijing.

***
It's easy to second-guess Charlie Manuel for leaving Jamie Moyer in the game last night to face Emil Brown, especially since Moyer's pitch count was creeping towards 100 and tough-on-righties Chad Durbin was warming in the bullpen. But Moyer was cruising through six innings. He hadn't allowed a hit since Kurt Suzuki's leadoff single in the first inning.

***
Greg Dobbs was 1-for-7 lifetime against A's starter Joe Blanton, so Manuel opted to use Geoff Jenkins as the designated hitter last night. I'd have gone with Dobbs. Jenkins is in an 0-for-22 slump, and he is 2-for-37 since June 8, dropping his average from .286 to .244.

June 25 -- BENSON UPDATE

Almost forgot that Kris Benson pitched again last night for Class A Clearwater.

His line: 4.2 innings, 7 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts

Benson gave up a hit in every inning but the fourth and suffered his second loss in as many minor-league starts. But as long as he feels good today and pitches again in five days, the Phillies won't worry too much about the results.

Not yet, at least.

***
While we focus on starting pitchers who may be available at the trade deadline, heard the other day that the Phils are interested in Rockies lefty reliever Brian Fuentes, who has a 2.05 ERA and 13 saves in 16 chances.

Makes perfect sense, actually. Fuentes would give the Phils another lefty in the bullpen, and he'd slide into the setup role, alleviating the burden on sore-shouldered Tom Gordon. Before the series in St. Louis a few weekends ago, Charlie Manuel said he's going to lighten Gordon's workload. Gordon hasn't pitched since June 15 because of a sore shoulder.

June 24 -- VOTING UPDATE

Not even a 1-for-27 slump can diminish Chase Utley's lead in the All-Star Game fan balloting. Utley continues to lead all NL players with 2,179,006 votes. The next-highest vote-getter is Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (1,916,829). Here's a look at the top vote-getters at each position:

First base: Lance Berkman (Astros), 1,682,362; Derrek Lee (Cubs), 1,153,519; Albert Pujols (Cardinals), 1,116,626; Prince Fielder (Brewers), 816,507; Ryan Howard (Phillies), 654,962

Second base: Chase Utley (Phillies), 2,179,006; Mark DeRosa (Cubs), 940,404; Kaz Matsui (Astros), 742,425; Dan Uggla (Marlins), 675,358; Rickie Weeks (Brewers), 589,455

Third base: Chipper Jones (Braves), 1,916,829; Aramis Ramirez (Cubs), 1,111,901; David Wright (Mets), 958,490; Bill Hall (Brewers), 559,581; Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks), 483,688

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez (Marlins), 1,123,516; Miguel Tejada (Astros), 1,052,852; Ryan Theriot (Cubs), 915,954; Jimmy Rollins (Phillies), 777,570; Jose Reyes (Mets), 734,636

Catcher: Geovany Soto (Cubs), 1,497,579; Brian McCann (Braves), 917,607; Jason Kendall (Brewers), 773,694; Yadier Molina (Cardinals), 768,685; Bengie Molina (Giants), 578,357

Outfielders: Alfonso Soriano (Cubs), 1,736,434; Kosuke Fukudome (Cubs), 1,454,257; Ken Griffey Jr. (Reds), 1,417,019; Ryan Braun (Brewers), 1,241,843; Carlos Lee (Astros), 824,776; Pat Burrell (Phillies), 811,356; Matt Holliday (Rockies), 810,397; Carlos Beltran (Mets), 776,107; Rick Ankiel (Cardinals), 774,585; Justin Upton (Diamondbacks), 689,666

June 24 -- LET'S MAKE A DEAL

Pat Gillick doesn't know if C.C. Sabathia will get traded before July 31. Nobody does. The Indians are a proud franchise that came within one win of reaching the World Series last October, and although they're 6-1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central and 9-1/2 back in the AL wild-card race, they aren't ready to tell their fans in Cleveland and beyond that they're throwing in the towel on 2008.

Check back in a month, though.

For five straight days, Gillick watched the Phillies' offense flail away against the Red Sox and Angels. But, to the Phillies' GM, the biggest difference between the Phillies and arguably the two best teams in baseball (sorry, Cubs fans) is pitching. In a short series, the Sox can throw Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester in Games 1-3. The Angels can call on John Lackey, Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana. After Cole Hamels, who do the Phillies have? Brett Myers? Jamie Moyer?

How about Sabathia?

From his office at the Bank, Gillick said the Phils better worry about making the playoffs (their lead in the NL East is down to one game) before they concern themselves with beating the Sox or Angels in the World Series. But, in the next breath, he restated his confidence that the Phillies are a playoff team that can advance through a pair of NL series. And while there figure to be plenty of available mid-level starters (Bronson Arroyo or Jarrod Washburn, anyone?) who can help the Phillies secure their playoff spot, Gillick believes there may be "only one or two frontline guys out there" who could make the difference between being a World Series champion and a sacrificial lamb for the Sox or Angels.

That's where Sabathia, or maybe Erik Bedard, come in.

But even if the Indians and Mariners are willing to trade their aces, the Phillies aren't sure they have enough to offer. Everyone knows the farm system isn't exactly ripe with prospects, prompting Gillick to suggest that the Phillies would have to trade someone off their current roster. It would seem they have some outfield depth, but if Shane Victorino were to be traded, Jayson Werth and Geoff Jenkins would have to play every day. That's a problem since Werth hasn't proven he can hit right-handers and Jenkins is wretched against lefties. Ultimately, Greg Golson may be the Phillies' starting center fielder, but there's some question about his ability to hit major-league pitching.

Also, Sabathia can be a free agent after this season. If the package to acquire him includes someone like Victorino and a pitching prospect or two (Antonio Bastardo or Carlos Carrasco?), is that too much to give up for a pitcher who may be someone else's ace next season? The Phillies may be more willing to weaken their outfield and their farm system for someone like Bedard, who is signed through 2009 even if he has been injury prone throughout his career with the Orioles and Mariners.

These are the sort of issues Gillick and his inner circle will be debating over the next six weeks.

"It's very difficult because you certainly don't want to let a window of opportunity pass you by," assistant GM Mike Arbuckle told me Sunday. "But, by the same token, you say, 'How much do we mortgage our future?' I think, realistically, next year this is still going to be a good club. It's not like we're going to say it's all or nothing. It's a tough call."

Sure is.

OK, put yourself in Gillick's shoes. Do you pursue a mid-level pitcher or an ace? How much do you give up?

***
Must So go?

So Taguchi guesses that his struggles this season have stemmed from a lack of playing time. Taguchi, who led the majors with a .406 average as a pinch-hitter last season, is 0-for-13 in such situations. He hasn't been a base-stealing threat as a pinch-runner or an upgrade over Pat Burrell when he enters games as a defensive replacement in the late innings. And, in the process, he is losing manager Charlie Manuel's trust.

If Golson or Chris Snelling weren't injured, you have to wonder if Taguchi would've gotten on the charter flight to Oakland on Sunday evening.

***
Curt Schilling was in Wilmington yesterday, undergoing shoulder surgery. His old friend, Dr. Craig Morgan, performed the procedure, which went about as well as could've been expected. Morgan didn't find significant damage to the labrum or rotator cuff, and it's now possible that Schilling could pitch next season.

June 23 -- FAILING A TEST

Singin', don't worry 'bout a thing,
'cause every little thing is gonna be all right

-Bob Marley

Shane Victorino likes reggae, specifically Bob Marley. And, in the eighth inning yesterday, as Victorino walked to the plate, the folks in charge of such things at the Bank made sure that those Marley lyrics were blaring over the sound system. As far as we know, there wasn't any hidden message or subliminal agenda, but after the game, Victorino and his teammates seemingly repeated Marley's refrain over and over as they packed their bags for Oakland.

So what if the Phillies have lost five games? Who cares if their feast-or-famine offense has gone colder than the North Pole? Never mind that they can't seem to manufacture runs, especially against quality pitching. And pay no mind to the Grand Canyon-sized gap between them and the two best teams in the American League.

Don't worry 'bout a thing,

'cause every little thing is gonna be all right.

"Every team goes through ups and downs. Right now, it's our down," Jimmy Rollins said. "But we'll come out of it. Don't worry about that."

Within the game story, we outlined the stark numbers, including the Phillies' .190 average with runners in scoring position since their 20-run, 21-hit outburst June 13 in St. Louis. To me, though, this goes beyond statistics. The series against the Red Sox and Angels -- and, to a certain extent, even the previous series against the Cardinals -- revealed serious flaws in the way the Phillies' offense is constructed. Ryan Howard, the all-or-nothing slugger, has become the embodiment of an offense that scores when it hits doubles and home runs but doesn't make enough consistent contact to avoid falling into sustained ruts. The Phillies don't move runners, and even when Rollins and Victorino reach base and get into scoring position by stealing, the heavy hitters behind them aren't particularly adept at driving in runs by hitting ground balls or sacrifice flies.

Rollins is right. All offenses go through slumps, even team-wide slumps. But the Phils' offense, so reliant on extra-base hits, goes through more slumps than most. And while they may well score close to 900 runs again (they've already scored 398 through 76 games), you have to worry about them going cold once again in the postseason when Cole Hamels will be facing Josh Beckett, not Bartolo Colon, in the first round of a series.

Thoughts?

Check back later today for more, including a few words on So Taguchi, who isn't winning any popularity contests these days.

June 22 -- LINEUP CHANGES

Legend has it that Billy Martin, in the midst of a Yankees slump in 1977, had Reggie Jackson pick names out of a hat to determine the batting order.

Charlie Manuel doesn't believe in that.

But Manuel has altered the lineup for today's series finale against the Angels, and with the Phils batting .204 with only 23 runs scored in the past seven games, it can't hurt. So, without further ado, here's what Manuel has come up with against Angels RHP Jered Weaver (6-7, 4.73).

SS Jimmy Rollins (.278/6/25)
3B Greg Dobbs (.354/2/18)
2B Chase Utley (.291/22/63)
1B Ryan Howard (.216/19/63)
LF Pat Burrell (.276/18/47)
CF Shane Victorino (.274/2/18)
RF Geoff Jenkins (.250/6/21)
C Carlos Ruiz (.230/2/20)
LHP Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.23)

***
Also, the Phillies have signed second-round pick Jason Knapp, a right-handed pitcher from North Hunterdon (N.J.) High. Knapp will report to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League this week.

***
So, I was doing some Sunday reading when I came across this quote in esteemed Nick Cafardo's weekly baseball column in the Boston Globe. It's from Bobby Abreu about playing for Terry Francona with the Phillies: "I was young then, but it was good. He taught me a lot of good things. I made one mistake: I got lazy. It was my fault. He got into me and taught me a lesson. He told me I had to be responsible. Since then, I have never forgotten that. That was a good thing that I learned from him. He taught me how to play the game right."

June 22 -- MYERS IMPROVES, STILL LOSES

Sometimes, it just isn't your year.

In his 16th start of the season last night, Brett Myers fell to 3-9, and the Phillies lost for the 10th time in his last 11 starts. But Myers deserved a better fate. Yeah, he allowed three more home runs, hiking his majors-leading total to 23. But he also held the Angels to two runs over 7-2/3 innings before Erick Aybar's two-run shot put the Phils in a 4-2 hole.

"I didn't feel like the pitch to Aybar was that bad of a pitch," Myers said. "I hadn't thrown my split all night. He kept his hands back and kept it fair. I thought it was down. I'd have liked it a little lower, but I didn't feel like it was that bad of a pitch. It’s like [catcher Chris] Coste told me, 'You can throw 25 good pitches. You make the 26th one, and if it’s a bad one, it’s going to go out.'"

So, what bugged you most about last night's game?

a) The three homers allowed by Myers.
b) The baserunning blunder by Eric Bruntlett in the seventh inning.
c) Ryan Howard's strikeout with two on and two out in the eighth.
d) So Taguchi's misplayed fly ball in the ninth.

***
Within the notebook, there's more on Chase Utley's night off, and a few words about the Phillies' pursuit for more pitching.

***
Channeling Keith Olbermann, we examined this week's World's Worst Persons in the MLB Sunday notes by looking at Mets owner Fred Wilpon and his meddlesome son, Jeff. The MLB Sunday package continues here, too.

***
It's been a reunion weekend for Phillies TV analyst Gary Matthews and his son, Gary Jr.

Enjoy your Sunday.

June 21 -- OFFENSIVE

A few numbers to chew on with your Sunday morning breakfast:

Last four games (all losses)
Chase Utley: 0-for-11, two strikeouts
Ryan Howard: 1-for-15, nine strikeouts
Pat Burrell: 1-for-15, six strikeouts
Shane Victorino: 2-for-14, two strikeouts
Jimmy Rollins: 3-for-15, two strikeouts

June 21 -- UTLEY OUT

As expected (or suspected), Chase Utley isn't in the lineup tonight against tough Angels LHP Joe Saunders. Utley, as you may have heard, is in an 0-for-23 slump. Here's the full lineup:

SS Jimmy Rollins (.283/6/25), CF Shane Victorino (.278/2/18), LF Pat Burrell (.275/18/47), 1B Ryan Howard (.219/19/63), RF Jayson Werth (.268/9/28), C Chris Coste (.306/6/17), 3B Pedro Feliz (.259/8/33), 2B Eric Bruntlett (.250/2/12), RHP Brett Myers (3-8, 5.58).

Once again, Myers is the focus of tonight's game. Keep an eye on his first-inning performance. If he can survive that (his ERA in the first inning is 12.60, and opponents are batting .368 against him), he may be OK.

June 21 -- TRADE WINDS

So, the July 31 trade deadline is still more than a month away, and while the Phillies fully intend to be buyers, it remains unclear that they'll have much to buy.

Before a game last weekend in St. Louis, I sat down with assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr., who talked about the parity within baseball. Entering today's games, 15 teams have records that are .500 or better. Six more are within five games of the .500 mark. Of course, only eight teams will make the playoffs, but the vast majority still believe they have a chance. And if it stays that way for the next six weeks, the buyers will far outnumber the sellers on July 31.

"It's going to be very tough to acquire players," Amaro told me last weekend. "There's just so much parity. We've talked to several teams already that we'd think are no longer contenders, and they've started the wishy-washy-ness of believing they're still in it."

GM Pat Gillick reiterated that idea before yesterday's game -- "Seattle is one club that is out of it right now," he said. "The other clubs who might have some interesting personnel are still in the race. Some of the sellers don't know they're sellers."

To wit: The Brewers reportedly have told teams that they aren't willing to move Ben Sheets, even though they're 6-1/2 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. Of course, one losing streak could force them to change their strategy. Within the past week, Gillick has dispatched scouts to evaluate Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia, Cincinnati's Bronson Arroyo and Toronto's A.J. Burnett, a former pupil of pitching coach Rich Dubee in Florida. The Phillies also will certainly take a look at Seattle's Erik Bedard, who likely will be available now that the Mariners have fired both manager John McLaren and GM Bill Bavasi.

Sabathia may be the biggest prize (he also pitched for Charlie Manuel in Cleveland), but it may take more than the Phillies have to give to acquire him. Also, Sabathia will be a free agent after the season, so the Phils must decide if it's worth trading many of their top prospects for a pitcher they may not be able to re-sign.

There's one thing, however, of which Gillick is certain. To obtain pitching help, the Phillies will have to go outside the organization. Gillick said last night that the Phillies don't have any major-league-ready pitchers in the minors, and at this point, still-rehabbing Kris Benson isn't someone the Phillies absolutely can count on.

So, you play GM. Which pitcher do you want to acquire, and how much would you give up?

***
Looks like I spoke (wrote?) too soon about Adam Eaton. But, while Eaton didn't pitch well last night, he got no help from the Phillies' swooning offense either.

***
Angels manager Mike Scioscia grew up in the shadow of Veterans Stadium and attended plenty of Phillies games when he was a kid.

***
More later from the Bank, where I wouldn't be surprised to see Chase Utley get a day off against Angels lefty Joe Saunders. He had some good swings last night, but his career-worst slump still swelled to 0-for-23.

June 20 -- BENSON ROCKED & COLLIER SIGNED

We interrupt your comments about Adam Eaton and J.D. Drew (please keep 'em coming, by the way) to update you on Kris Benson's long-awaited, much-anticipated first minor-league start last night for Class A Clearwater.

Benson, attempting to return from shoulder surgery in March 2007, allowed five runs on three hits and two walks in two innings (52 pitches) against the Blue Jays' Class A club. More important, though, will be how he feels today. Benson has had three setbacks since signing a minor-league contract with the Phillies in February, and if he's going to contribute at all to their rotation this season, he needs to put together consecutive starts and prove that his arm is finally healthy.

***
Also, the Phillies have signed Zach Collier, their compensatory-round pick in the June 5 first-year player draft. Collier, a 17-year-old outfielder from Chino Hills (Calif.) High and the 34th overall pick, will report to the Phillies' rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate in Clearwater next week. As a high school senior, he batted .450 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 80 at-bats. He's a left-handed hitter, and after selecting him between the first and second rounds, Phillies scouting director Marti Wolever compared him to veteran Angels outfielder Garrett Anderson.

So, there's that. Now, back to your regularly scheduled discussion about Eaton.

June 20 -- UP AND ADAM?

Admit it: You no longer loath Adam Eaton.

If you're reading The Blog, you're probably a Phillies fan, in which case you have a long memory. The widespread booing of J.D. Drew this week is proof enough of that (get over it, people!). So, you won't soon forget last season when Eaton posted a 6.29 ERA. And that wasn't even the most inflated number associated with Eaton. His $24.5 million contract wins that prize.

The 2-4 record and 4.59 ERA that he'll take to the mound tonight in the opener of a three-game inter-league series against the Angels at the Bank won't win him an All-Star Game selection or suddenly vindicate the Phillies for giving him that awful three-year contract. But, you must admit, Eaton has pitched better this season. He has a 3.06 ERA in his last five starts, arguably his best stretch in four years. A quality start is defined as at least six innings pitched with three earned runs or fewer, and Eaton hasn't had five straight since June 6 to July 3, 2004, when he had six in a row for the Padres.

I spent a few minutes with Eaton before Wednesday's game, and he explains his resurgence thusly: better health = better mechanics = better results. According to Eaton, his shoulder ached so much during the second half of last season that it forced him to alter his delivery and led to a 7.25 ERA in his final 13 starts. He went on the disabled list in mid-August and said the only reason he didn't shut it down sooner was that he felt obligated to live up to his hefty contract.

"I think I have a pretty high pain tolerance," Eaton said. "Maybe that's my problem."

Whatever the reason for his dreadful 2007, the Phillies are hoping Eaton's issues are behind him. And while $24.5 million over three years is far too much to pay for a No. 4/5 starter, the Phils can live with him in the rotation as long as he continues to give them quality outings.

His next test is tonight.

***
A preview of the weekend series against the Angels, who have the majors' best road record (21-12) and are managed by DelCo native Mike Scioscia:

ANGELS (43-30) vs. PHILLIES (42-32)
Tonight, 7:05: RHP Ervin Santana (8-3, 3.40) vs. RHP Adam Eaton (2-4, 4.57)
Saturday, 7:05: LHP Joe Saunders (10-3, 3.06) vs. RHP Brett Myers (3-8, 5.58)
Sunday, 1:35: RHP Jered Weaver (6-7, 4.73) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.23)
Hot: Angels RF Vladimir Guerrero is 17-for-40 (.425) with three homers and seven RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak; Angels OF Gary Matthews Jr., son of Phillies’ TV analyst Gary Matthews, is batting .358 (19-for-53) over his last 14 games; Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins is 8-for-17 (.471) over his last four games; Phillies INF Greg Dobbs has 13 hits in his last 32 at-bats (.406).
Not: Angels LF Garrett Anderson has one hit in his last 13 at-bats; Angels C Mike Napoli has two hits in his last 35 at-bats; Phillies 2B Chase Utley is stuck a career-worst 0-for-20 slump, surpassing an 0-for-17 funk in 2004; Phillies RF Geoff Jenkins has two hits in his last 27 at-bats.

June 19 -- ARE THE PHILLIES WORLD SERIOUS?

Not yet.

The Phillies lost two of three games against the world-champion Red Sox this week. What does it all mean? Well, as I wrote in The Paper today, the Sawx didn't have David Ortiz or Kevin Youkilis in the lineup, and the Phils didn't face either of Boston's top starters, Josh Beckett or Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Phillies won the game they were supposed to win, Monday night with Cole Hamels on the mound. But the offense went quiet in the next two games against tough lefty Jon Lester and rookie right-hander Justin Masterson.

Yeah, I know it's only June. Sooner than later, Chase Utley will snap out of the career-worst 0-for-20 slump that has surpassed his 0-for-17 funk from 2004. Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Pat Burrell someday may get hot simultaneously. And, eventually, the Phillies will figure out how to manufacture runs instead of relying on homers and doubles to score. When all of that happens, the Phillies' offense will be every bit as dangerous as Boston's, even when Manny Ramirez and Ortiz are going full steam.

But, to me, the biggest difference between the Phillies and Sawx is the pitching. When Dice-K got hurt, the Sox dipped into their farm system and called on Masterson. Lester, as good as any lefty the Phillies have faced this season, is their No. 3 starter. The Phillies, meanwhile, have Hamels and a bunch of No. 4s and 5s -- Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton. Even when he's pitching well, Brett Myers may be no more than a good No. 3.

And I still don't see what the Phillies have in the minors to use as trade bait for C.C. Sabathia, Erik Bedard or Ben Sheets, likely the best pitchers on the market. Carlos Carrasco and Josh Outman aren't enough. Greg Golson? He's still in Class AA. Adrian Cardenas? Lou Marson? They aren't close to being major-league-ready.

If the Sox series teaches us anything, it's that the Phillies absolutely must strengthen their pitching. Offense is fickle. Even the most potent lineups come and go. But teams that are rich in pitching always do well.

***
Howard on Utley's slump: "Don't worry about Chase, damn it!" I agree. Utley will be fine.

Also within the notebook, the great Robin Roberts has some Hall of Fame advice for Myers: "Be yourself."

June 18 -- READER POLL

OK, so the Phillies dropped two of three games to the Red Sox this week. What, if anything, did you learn about the Phillies? What's your level of confidence in their ability to compete with arguably the best team in the majors.

Go ahead and discuss. I'll chime in tomorrow during the Phillies' off-day.

June 18 -- IN-GAME UPDATES

About 30 minutes away from today's first pitch, here's the Phillies lineup against Red Sox rookie RHP Justin Masterson (3-1, 2.90 ERA): SS Jimmy Rollins (.289/6/25), CF Shane Victorino (.281/2/18), 2B Chase Utley (.299/22/62), 1B Ryan Howard (.221/19/62), LF Pat Burrell (.284/18/47), RF Geoff Jenkins (.260/6/21), 3B Greg Dobbs (.359/2/18), C Carlos Ruiz (.226/2/20), RHP Kyle Kendrick (6-2, 4.54 ERA).
No Manny Ramirez today for the Sawx. He reportedly felt a twinge of discomfort in his right hamstring last night, so for precautionary reasons, he's on the bench. I'm sure Kendrick doesn't mind.

Top first: Rocky start for Kendrick, who has thrown 12 pitches and already trails 3-0. After back-to-back singles by Jacoby Ellsbury (the former Blue Rock) and Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew jolted a three-run homer into the seats in right-center, sparking even more boos from what appears to be the 19th sellout crowd this season at the Bank. ... Make it 16 pitches for Kendrick, 4-0 Red Sox. Mike Lowell just followed Drew with a solo homer into the left-field seats.

Bottom first: Phillies get one run back on a one-out walk by Victorino and a two-out single by Howard. In between, Utley grounded out, moving Victorino to second base but extending his slump to 0-for-17. 4-1, Sox.

Top third: A restless fan near the press box just yelled, "Throw strikes." Well, when Kendrick does, they get hit. After a one-out double by Drew, Lowell got hit by a pitch. Then came a two-out walk to Jason Varitek, a two-run single by pinch-hitting Brandon Moss and a two-out walk to Julio Lugo. Kendrick struck out Masterson, but not before the Sawx to a 6-1 lead.

Top fourth: Is that a white flag I see? No, it's just reliever Clay Condrey. Kendrick's day is done. His final line: 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R/ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K, 2 HR. Condrey was greeted by a one-out double by Pedroia and a single by Drew, now 3-for-3 with four RBIs and still getting booed for shunning the Phillies 11 years ago. Phillies fan can hold a grudge, can't they? 7-1, Sox.

Bottom seventh: Better late than never, the Phillies' bats are warming up. Pinch-hitting Pedro Feliz's two-run single against reliever Craig Hansen scored Eric Bruntlett and Ruiz to shave the deficit to 7-4. But with two on and no outs, Victorino popped out, Utley flew to left (he's now 0-for-20) and Howard struck out (No. 102 this season) against Manny Delcarmen. 7-4, Sox.

Bottom ninth: Three up, three down in the ninth for nasty Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. 7-4 Sox, final. Phillies lose their third straight series and have dropped six of their last nine games.

June 18 -- JON STEWART RIPS METS

Longtime Mets fan Jon Stewart is not fan of how Willie Randolph was fired.

June 18 -- GOLSON TO DL

Quick minor-league note: Center fielder Greg Golson has been placed on the disabled list with a left wrist strain. Golson, who could receive a September call-up, is batting .299 with 13 doubles, two triples, seven homers, 36 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 21 chances for Class AA Reading.

Also, outfielder Michael Taylor and right-handers Drew Naylor and Ben Pfinsgraff have been promoted to Class A Clearwater from low-A Lakewood. Naylor (5-3, 2.99 ERA, 97 strikeouts) was named Most Outstanding Pitcher in last night's South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Taylor, meanwhile, was batting .361 with 10 homers, 50 RBIs and 10 steals for Lakewood.

June 18 -- 'HE'S AN INSPIRATION'

At some point today, before the Phillies play the Red Sox in the finale of their three-game series, Charlie Manuel will look for Jon Lester. When he finds him, Manuel will extend his arm and shake Lester's hand.

It surely won't have anything to do with Lester shutting out the Phillies last night.

Manuel, you see, is a cancer survivor. He beat kidney cancer in 2000, when he was manager of the Indians. And, 22 months ago, Lester was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system. He underwent chemotheraphy and radiation treatments during the 2006 offseason, and once the cancer was in remission, he returned to the Red Sox last July and went 4-0 in 11 starts. Lester threw 5-2/3 shutout innings in the decisive Game 4 of the World Series, and last month, he pitched the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history.

So, even after watching the Phillies hang eight runs on Bartolo Colon and Mike Timlin on Monday night, there was no way Lester was going to wither at the sight of Ryan Howard or Chase Utley at the plate.

"He's battled through cancer. He's an inspiration," said Jamie Moyer, who played for 10 years in Seattle and met Lester, a Tacoma, Wash., native, when he was in high school. "He's handled it very well, and he's moved forward. I'm pretty sure it's made him a different person. He's getting what he deserves. It's a feel-good story. It's pretty cool."

What Lester did to the Phillies last night -- six hits, no runs in seven innings -- is nothing new. In his last six starts, he is 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA. Overall this season, he is 6-3 with a 3.18 ERA.

So, what does Manuel want to say to Lester today?

"I want to tell him that I keep up with him and I admire him," Manuel said.

It's hard not to.

***
Manuel nearly kept Chase Utley out of the lineup last night. Perhaps he should've. Utley went 0-for-4 and is now 0-for-16 since his fourth-inning single last Friday night in St. Louis. But with side-arming rookie right-hander Justin Masterson starting today for the Sox, Manuel said Utley will be in the lineup.

Also within the notebook: Kyle Kendrick will go to the mound today armed with a changeup that he hopes will give him more success against lefties. Although the Phillies are 10-1 in Kendrick's last 11 starts, lefties are batting .331 against him.

***
If they made a movie about the Phillies and Mets, it would be called "Trading Places." The Mets would be played by Dan Akroyd, the Phillies by Eddie Murphy. Only, at the end, they don't team up against a common enemy. Instead, the Mets continue to spiral, ultimately firing Willie Randolph.

Two weeks in September have meant everything for the Mets and Phillies, and as Martin Frank writes, the Mets have been trying to keep up with the Phillies ever since.

***
Robin Roberts will throw the ceremonial first pitch today in honor of the 60th anniversary of his major-league debut. But before he got called up to the Phillies in 1948, he went 9-1 for the Blue Rocks.

Quick turnaround today. Lineups and more in a bit from the Bank.

June 17 -- BENSON UPDATE & LINEUP

Kris Benson is slated to make his first minor-league start Thursday for Class A Clearwater. His last attempt at a start for Clearwater was wiped out June 2 when he experienced biceps soreness on the morning of the game.

***
Tonight's lineup against Sox LHP Jon Lester (5-3, 3.43 ERA): SS Jimmy Rollins (.284/6/25), CF Shane Victorino (.282/2/18), 2B Chase Utley (.303/22/62), 1B Ryan Howard (.224/19/62), LF Pat Burrell (.289/18/47), RF Jayson Werth (.264/9/27), 3B Pedro Feliz (.255/8/31), C Carlos Ruiz (.231/2/20), LHP Jamie Moyer (7-3, 4.12).

June 17 -- UTLEY STILL LEADS VOTING

Chase Utley continues to lead the majors in All-Star Game fan balloting. Utley has 1,743,548 votes, ahead of injured Red Sox DH David Ortiz (1,605,660 votes). The next-highest NL vote-getter is Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (1,499,185).

Other Phillies vote-getters:

- Ryan Howard is fifth among first basemen with 528,580 votes. Houston's Lance Berkman leads with 1,368,030 votes.

- Jimmy Rollins has moved into fourth place among shortstops with 637,617 votes. First-place is a battle between Houston's Miguel Tejada (894,797) and Florida's Hanley Ramirez (826,685).

- Pat Burrell ranks sixth among outfielders with 668,539 votes. He trails Chicago's Alfonso Soriano (1,444,153) and Kosuke Fukudome (1,188,459), Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. (1,081,665), Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (885,932) and Houston's Carlos Lee (709,797).

June 17 -- LOOKING LIKE MVPs

Amid all the discussion of Chase Utley's early-season NL MVP candidacy, it has been easy to gloss over the fact that Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins haven't looked very MVP-like for most of the season.

Howard was batting .163 on May 7, and his strikeout total was rising at an alarming rate. Rollins, meanwhile, missed most of April with a sprained ankle before being benched June 5 for not running hard on a fly ball and falling into a slump over the past two weeks.

Then, last night happened.

Rollins went 3-for-5 with three RBIs on a first-inning leadoff home run and a two-run single that snapped his 0-for-11 slide with runners in scoring position. Howard went 3-for-5 with two opposite-field home runs, a triple and four RBIs. And the Phillies thumped the World Series-champion Red Sox, 8-2, at sold-out Citizens Bank Park.

"I'm not really worried in regards to Jimmy and Ryan," Shane Victorino told me last night. "It's just a matter of time until everyone starts clicking with Jimmy, Chase, Ryan, Pat [Burrell]. That's just the way our offense takes off."

We've seen glimpses of that potential. The Phillies have scored 20 runs in a game twice in one season for the first time since 1900. But the offense also has been inconsistent. It produces 21 hits Friday night, then leaves 15 runners on base Sunday.

Can you imagine the potential if Utley, Rollins and Howard get hot simulatenously?

Wow.

***
More on Howard: Talked to hitting coach Milt Thompson before last night's game. He and Charlie Manuel have been preaching patience to their slugging first baseman. Here's the challenge for Howard: He wants to put up the numbers he's accustomed to, but because he has such fierce power, pitchers aren't giving him much to hit. So, Howard has been swinging at bad pitches out of the strike zone and getting himself out (he leads the majors with 97 whiffs, and he's batting only .224).

But Howard is also tied with Utley and Adrian Gonzalez for the NL-lead with 62 RBIs, and tied for second with Gonzalez, Dan Uggla and Lance Berkman with 19 home runs. He's 9-for-18 with four homers and 13 RBIs in his last four games, and in 37 games since May 7, he's batting .276 with 13 homers and 46 RBIs. More telling, he has struck out only 47 times in his last 145 at-bats after piling up 50 whiffs in his first 123.

"I think the production numbers are hard not to see," Manuel said. "He's right at the top of the league with people and that kind of speaks for itself. I'd like to see him cut his strikeouts. Like I said two years ago, he could hit .300. The more contact you make, the more hits you're going to get. The more hits, the more homers you're going to get."

***
Martin Frank found himself dreaming of a Phillies-Red Sox World Series. Hey, it could happen. You'd get no complaints from me. Any excuse to return to my college roots in Boston and scarf down some Chowdah sounds like a good idea to me.

June 17 -- METS' MESS

So, the underperforming Mets have finally fired manager Willie Randolph, replacing him on an interim basis with bench coach Jerry Manuel (no relation to Chuck). Pitching coach Rick Peterson, once dubbed the "CEO of pitching" by Mets owner Fred Wilpon, and first-base coach Tom Nieto also were dismissed.

No surprises there.

But it's how it happened that has the folks in New York buzzing this morning.

After making Randolph, Peterson and Nieto travel cross-country for the start of a West Coast trip in Anaheim (the Mets won last night, by the way), the Mets fired them in their hotel rooms after the game and communicated the dismissals via e-mail to the team's beat writers at 3 a.m. Eastern time.

Stay classy.

Can't wait to hear what Billy Wagner has to say about this. Something tells me he'll have an opinion.

June 16 -- AUDIOFILE & LINEUPS

It must be a big night here at the Bank because Martin Frank, my esteemed colleague at The News Journal, has joined me in the press box. Martin and I got together with Mike Radano of the Camden (N.J.) Courier Post to tape our latest audiofile. For 10 minutes, we discussed Brett Myers and the complexities of a 5-4 road trip that started 3-0, and Martin accused his brother of being a front-running Sox fan.

You can (and should) listen in by clicking this link: R09_0004.mp3.

***
Tonight's lineup against Sox RHP Bartolo Colon (4-1, 3.41 ERA): SS Jimmy Rollins (.275/5/22), CF Shane Victorino (.278/2/18), 2B Chase Utley (.309/22/61), 1B Ryan Howard (.217/17/58), LF Pat Burrell (.283/18/47), RF Geoff Jenkins (.266/6/21), 3B Pedro Feliz (.258/8/31), C Carlos Ruiz (.230/2/20), LHP Cole Hamels (6-4, 3.27).

But there's rain in the forecast, and as the Sox take batting practice, the sky is starting to look threatening. Keep it here for updates.

June 16 -- SAMUEL GOES TO THE WALL

This just in from the Phillies: Juan Samuel is the 2008 inductee to the club's Wall of Fame. He will be enshrined before the Aug. 8 game against the Pirates, and although he is Baltimore's third-base coach, the Orioles have granted him permission to attend the ceremony.

"Sammy" will be at the Bank tonight for a press conference, so we'll bring you more once that happens. Meanwhile, check out Samuel's career stats.

Got any memories of his career with the Phillies? Share them here. I'll chime in later.

June 16 -- NOT IN THE CARDS

Just flew in from St. Louis, and already, it's about time to head over to the Bank for the big inter-league series-opener against Team Tito. But, before we discuss all things Sawx (that's how they say it in Boston), let's review what went down yesterday near the Gateway Arch.

Where to begin?

Brett Myers stunk again, surrendering two more home runs (if you're counting, that's a majors-leading 20 hit against him) and putting the Phils in an early 5-1 hole. The offense battled back to tie the game, but in the process, left a ton of runners on base (15 by the time it was all over). In a frightening scene, Eric Bruntlett tried to score the go-ahead run in the eighth by barreling into Yadier Molina, leaving the Cardinals catcher motionless and gripping the baseball. Molina left the field on a body board and wearing a neck brace, but a battery of tests were negative and he was diagnosed with a mild concussion.

And, in the 10th inning, Chase Utley and Tom Gordon botched a pair of two-out ground balls that cost the Phils the game. Utley's errant throw to the covering Gordon allowed Rick Ankiel to reach base, and two batters later, Gordon missed a catchable throw from Utley and Ankiel raced home from second base. Gordon explained later that he didn't see the ball. But did you catch his on-field reaction? He spiked his mitt, looking like a Little Leaguer about to throw a temper tantrum.

So, what element of yesterday's game bugged you the most?

***
What should the Phillies do about Myers?

Ideally, they'd like to acquire another starting pitcher before the July 31 trade deadline and move Myers back to the bullpen to be the setup man for Brad Lidge. But, as we've discussed here before, they don't have enough prospects in their farm system to land C.C. Sabathia from the Indians or Erik Bedard from the Mariners. Maybe they can find a mid-level starter (this year's Kyle Lohse), but even then, are you comfortable with a rotation of Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton and someone like Randy Wolf?

For the eight millionth time this season, Charlie Manuel said yesterday that the Phillies need Myers to pitch a lot better. "No kidding," Myers said.

Easier said than done, I suppose.

***
Eager to see how the Phillies fare this week against the Sawx and Angels. They are the cream of the AL crop, so it should be a good test. It starts tonight with Bartolo Colon, the pitcher the Phillies thought was a greater injury risk than Kris Benson (oops), on the hill against Hamels.

And, with the Sawx in town, I'll refer you to our MLB notes in the Sunday paper, where Ruben Amaro Jr. admitted that the Phillies didn't put Terry Francona in a position to win during his four years as manager. My contention is that Francona didn't suddenly become a genius when he moved to Boston. Rather he inherited a team with a payroll north of $100 million (it's about $135 million this year). He also inherited Manny, Big Papi, Jason Varitek and later Josh Beckett, Dice-K and Jonathan Papelbon. Francona does a great job of managing the many personalities in the Sawx clubhouse, but he has the talent to win. In Philly, he had Curt Schilling, Scott Rolen, Bobby Abreu and little else. Hard to win with those cards.

***
More in a bit from the Bank. Meanwhile, here's a preview of the series to get you set.

RED SOX (44-28) at PHILLIES (41-30)
Tonight, 7:05: RHP Bartolo Colon (4-1, 3.41) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (6-4, 3.27)
Tuesday, 7:05: LHP Jon Lester (5-3, 3.43) vs. LHP Jamie Moyer (7-3, 4.12)
Wed., 1:05: RHP Justin Masterson (3-1, 2.90) vs. RHP Kyle Kendrick (6-2, 4.54)
Hot: Red Sox RF J.D. Drew is batting .447 (21-for-47) with seven homers and 16 RBIs in June; Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis is batting .319 (15-for-47) with two home runs and nine RBIs in June; Phillies 1B Ryan Howard went 6-for-13 with two homers and nine RBIs against the Cardinals; LF Pat Burrell batted .323 (10-for-31) with four homers and six RBIs on the nine-game road trip.
Not: Red Sox LF Manny Ramirez has missed the last two games with tenderness in his right hamstring but likely will return during the series; Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia is 9-for-58 (.155) with two homers and four RBIs in his last 15 games; Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins went 8-for-37 (.216) on the road trip; Phillies RF Geoff Jenkins went 3-for-23 (.130) on the road trip.

June 15 -- LET'S GO TO THE VIDEOTAPE

ST. LOUIS -- So, let's begin today with a question: Should MLB institute instant replay?

And, if you answered "yes" to that question, I have a follow-up: What sort of plays should be subject to review? Should replay be reserved for boundary home run calls -- whether the ball clears a fence, leaves the playing field, hits the foul pole or is touched by a fan? Or should it encompass all hard-to-rule plays, like close calls at a base or diving catches (or traps) in the outfield?

In the pages of The News Journal, we began exploring this issue back in November, when I spoke to Pat Gillick before the general managers meetings. Gillick planned to vote in favor of using replay for boundary calls and told me he thought a majority of GMs agreed with him. Lo and behold, the GMs voted 25-5 in favor of replay to help umpires make difficult decisions on home runs, and last week, MLB began taking steps to devise a replay system that may be in place by Aug. 1.

But, in the ninth inning here yesterday, Geoff Jenkins was robbed of a hit on a call that wouldn't have been subject to replay under MLB's proposed plan. Jenkins' fly ball was trapped, not caught, by Cardinals right fielder Ryan Ludwick. But second-base umpire Mike DiMuro ruled that Ludwick caught the ball, clinching a 3-2 Cardinals victory.

Still, most of the Phillies personnel that I spoke to -- from Jenkins to Charlie Manuel to assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. -- said they favor replay only on boundary calls. The concern, among many in baseball, is that opening replay for other close calls will further slow the pace of games that already are too long. As it is, MLB figures replay would only be needed about 10 times per season on hard-to-see home runs.

So, what do you think? Replay or no replay? Home run calls or all calls?

Go ahead. Discuss.

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You just knew Kyle Lohse was going to pitch well yesterday, didn't you?

We may never know exactly why things didn't work out last winter between Lohse and the Phillies. Lohse contends the Phillies never made another offer after he declined their first (three years, approximately $21 million). The Phillies insist Lohse's agent, Scott Boras, wasn't receptive to their attempts at further negotiations.

Draw your own conclusions.

Lohse allowed two runs in eight innings yesterday, but, really, where would Lohse fit in to the Phillies' rotation right now? Certainly, not in place of Adam Eaton, who continues to pitch well -- 2-2, 3.02 ERA in his last five starts, including a solid performance here yesterday.

***
Terry Francona's four-year record as Phillies manager: 285-363 (.440 winning percentage).

Francona's record with the Red Sox over the past four seasons: 375-273 (.579), three playoff appearances and two World Series crowns, including in 2004 the team's first title in 86 years.

So, either Francona suddenly became a genius after moving to Boston, or the Phillies didn't give him a chance to win.

Bet on the latter.

"It was tough because our team was not built to really compete in our division," Amaro said. "It was a situation where, at the time, we were not in a position to give Terry the chance to have that kind of success. Just like in anything else, you're only as good as the cards you're dealt."

***
More later. For now, have a great Sunday -- and to all the dads out there, including mine back in central Jersey, a very happy Father's Day.