July 31 -- WHAT COULD'VE BEEN

WASHINGTON -- Just spent a few minutes with Pat Gillick, who said that in the final hour before the trade deadline the Phillies were close on a three-team deal that would've netted them a starting pitcher.

So, what was the hold-up?

"We had agreement from one club and were trying to get agreement on players from another club," Gilick said.

And what about the lefty reliever that the Phils were seeking? Gillick said the asking price for lefties (think Ron Mahay, Jack Taschner, John Grabow, etc.) was steep. A team official told me that clubs were asking for the Phillies' top prospects (think Lou Marson, Jason Donald, Carlos Carrasco, etc.), and that's a hefty price for a lefty reliever. It's possible the Phillies could acquire a lefty in a waiver deal in August.

How about Manny Ramirez? Gillick admitted the Phillies spoke to the Red Sox, but reading between the lines, it sounds like they weren't able to convince themselves that Manny -- and all that comes with him -- would've made them better.

"We were involved, and we just couldn't get where [the Red Sox] wanted to be," Gillick said. "And we couldn't get where we wanted to be. At some point, I think we had a good feeling about it. We could please the other clubs. It's just that we've got to please ourselves a little bit. We think we know what the value of the players are. You have to really evaluate that. We thought it was a little too rich of an asking for us."

Chew on that a bit. For now, I have to get cracking for The Paper. More later.

July 31 -- LOOKING LEFT (UPDATED)

WASHINGTON -- T-minus 40 minutes until the trade deadline, 15 minutes until the Phillies' clubhouse opens to the media, and not much to report. Indications are the Phils are still making inquiries about a lefty reliever. Pittsburgh's John Grabow, San Francisco's Jack Taschner and Atlanta's Will Ohman are likely the top candidates to be moved. There's still a chance that the Royals could deal Ron Mahay, but their asking price reportedly is high, according to esteemed Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Oh, and according to Boston.com, it's looking less likely that Manny Ramirez will be traded.

Tick, tock.

(Updated, 5:26 p.m.): Obviously, the deadline passed without the Phillies making a trade. The Mets didn't make any moves either, and the Marlins got Arthur Rhodes. "I think we've got a great team," center fielder Shane Victorino said. "If we play like we've been playing [over the past week], we'll be fine." Of course, Manny did move, to the Dodgers in a three-team trade. More on that later.

Meanwhile, you tell me: How confident are you in the Phillies' chances to make the playoffs after not making a deal today?

July 31 -- FELIZ HAS BULGING DISC

WASHINGTON -- We take a break from trade-deadline madness to bring you this update on Pedro Feliz:

After a battery of tests, Feliz was diagnosed today with a bulging disc in his back. Feliz, who was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, won't take part in baseball-related activities until next week. Feliz underwent an MRI exam on his back Wednesday and was seen by team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti. He was examined today by back specialist Dr. Todd Albert and had an epidural injection at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Feliz began feeling pain during a late June series in Texas. He is eligible to be activated from the disabled list before an Aug. 9 game against the Pirates at the Bank, although it appears he may not be ready by then. Feliz, who signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract in January, is batting .256 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs. He is 1-for-21 with nine strikeouts since the All-Star break.

July 31 -- DEADLINE DAY

WASHINGTON -- About 10 days ago, Shane Victorino asked me and a few other writers if we'd heard any juicy trade rumors. Some, we told him, involved him. Since then, he has admitted to Googling his name to monitor trade innuendo, and before batting practice yesterday, he walked through the Phillies' clubhouse and said, "Twenty-three more hours to go."

Clearly, Victorino is preoccupied by the trade deadline.

At least it hasn't hindered his performance. If anything, Victorino will be riding a hot streak as the clock strikes 4 p.m. today and wheeler-dealer general managers finally hang up their cell phones. In last night's 8-5 win over the hapless Nationals, he went 3-for-4 with a tie-breaking two-run double in the five-run fifth inning, a homer in the seventh, three runs scored and three RBIs. He has a 10-game hitting streak, six homers in his last 13 games, and a .397 average and 14 RBIs in his last 15.

Asked where always-chatty Victorino's surge has come from, Charlie Manuel said, "From his lips. He's got a lot of wind to him, doesn't he? When he has a good night and shows you all his ability, he's a tremendous player. Go tell him not to get so nervous [about the trade rumors]."

***
A few notes about Jamie Moyer, who picked up his team-leading 10th win last night:

-In his last 10 starts, Moyer is 4-3 with a 2.84 ERA. He has allowed three runs or fewer in 10 consecutive starts, becoming the first Phillies pitcher to do so since Randy Wolf from July 11-Sept. 5, 2002.

-Moyer has 240 career wins, tied with Frank Tanana for 52nd all-time. Moyer has racked up more than twice as many wins in his 40s (76) as he had in his 20s (34).

-Other 45-year-olds to win 10 games in a season: Satchel Paige, Jack Quinn and Phil Niekro. "I didn't play against any of them," Moyer said before joking that he once had a beer with Paige. "He didn't like microbrews."



***
J.C. Romero said the Phillies could benefit from having another lefty reliever in the bullpen. Pitching coach Rich Dubee agrees. And Pat Gillick reiterated that finding another lefty is his top priority. But unless the asking price from certain teams decreases, the Phils may not make a move before 4 p.m.

The clock is ticking. Stay tuned.

July 31 -- MARLINS FISHING FOR MANNY?

WASHINGTON -- So, late-night reports out of Boston, Miami and Pittsburgh are indicating that a three-team trade may be in the works to, among other things, send Manny Ramirez to the Marlins. The Palm Beach Post, in fact, is reporting that a tentative deal has been struck. Sources are telling the Boston Globe that no deal has been reached, although it may be close.

Either way, Pat Gillick insists it won't push the Phillies into a counter-move.

"You don't like to react to someone else," Gillick said before the Phils beat the Nats, 8-5. "I've always said you like to do what you think is proper for your club. If [the Mets or Marlins] improve their club, they improve their club. We'll hopefully try to improve our club, but we're not reacting."

Charlie Manuel believes Manny could be a difference-maker in the NL East race. He said the Phillies don't necessarily need more offense, unless it's someone special. "Manny Ramirez would be the hitter," he said. Manuel was Ramirez's hitting coach with the Indians, and they had a good relationship. "My time with Manny was very special," Manuel said. "He was a kid then. He's grown up a lot. Well, he's gotten older. I feel like I know him to a certain degree."

July 30 -- PREGAME NOTES

WASHINGTON -- Pat Gillick just briefed us media types and reported that he has nothing new to report. The Phillies' priority remains finding a left-handed reliever, but they still haven't come up with a match on any deal. Gillick stopped short of denying the Manny Ramirez rumors, saying only that he can't comment on rumors. He did say the Phillies weren't involved in any discussions about Pudge Rodriguez before he was dealt to the Yankees.

A few hours ago, Shane Victorino, who admitted last week to Googling his name to monitor trade rumors, walked by a group of reporters in the clubhouse and said, "Twenty-three more hours." Actually, it's now more like 22. Tick, tock.

Tonight's lineup against Phillies-killing RHP Tim Redding (7-5, 3.98): SS Jimmy Rollins (.270/7/36), CF Shane Victorino (.283/8/35), 2B Chase Utley (.290/26/73), 1B Ryan Howard (.237/30/94), LF Pat Burrell (.279/26/61), RF Geoff Jenkins (.237/9/27), 3B Eric Bruntlett (.239/2/12), C Carlos Ruiz (.211/2/21), LHP Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.76)

July 30 -- AUDIOFILE

WASHINGTON -- Less than 26 hours before tomorrow's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline, I sat down with Michael Radano of the Camden (N.J.) Courier-Post and taped another audiofile. We discussed the possibility of the Phillies making a trade and gave our impressions of Brett Myers' start last night against the feeble-hitting Nationals.

Want to listen? Sure you do. Check it out by clicking here: R09_0067.mp3

***
Had lunch today in Georgetown at Billy Martin's Tavern and sat at the booth where JFK proposed to Jackie Kennedy. Pretty cool.

More in a bit with the latest trade talk, news from the clubhouse, etc.

July 30 -- A RELIEF FOR MYERS

WASHINGTON -- You don't need an advance degree in mathematics to know that, at present, there isn't an opening in the Phillies' starting rotation for J.A. Happ. But before last night's game here, with Happ in the clubhouse and phones glued to the ears of GM Pat Gillick and his two assistants, Charlie Manuel said he isn't discounting the possibility that Happ could be used as a starter again this season.

Really, though, it all depends on Brett Myers.

Happ isn't about to replace ace Cole Hamels or newly acquired Joe Blanton. At 45, Jamie Moyer has been the Phillies' second-best starter, and in nearly all of his starts, Kyle Kendrick has given them a chance to win. That leaves Myers, who was supposed to be the Phillies' co-ace, a pitcher that Manuel believed could win 20 games. If, less than two weeks removed from a three-week stint in the minors, Myers finally begins living up to that billing, Happ will stay in the bullpen. If Myers continues to struggle, well, use your imagination.

For one night, he reached his potential.

But he took it in stride, too. After all, he was facing the Nationals, the worst team in the majors with the only offense that hasn't scored 400 runs this season. In their previous three games, the Nats had scored one run. So, be careful not to get too giddy over Myers allowing one unearned run and four hits, pitching into the eighth inning and getting his first win since May 30.

Still, it was progress.

Mostly, it was good to see Myers having fun on the mound. When Manuel came to take the ball from him in the eighth inning, Myers sparred with him, insisting that the manager "check my numbers against [pinch-hitter Ryan Langerhans]." Manuel recoiled, not quite knowing how to respond, and Myers busted out laughing.

"I know I can do it," Myers said. "If they lose faith in me, I'll probably lose faith in myself. They've had faith in me all along. It was fun for me tonight."

Before the game, Manuel said he views Happ as a starter. Asked if Myers' performance in his next few starts is tied to Happ's ultimate role with the team, Manuel said, "We've got to give Brett a few more starts, see where he's at. We just have to wait and see."

Myers seemed to understand the gravity of the situation, even if he wasn't going to admit it.

"It's not just one guy," he said. "Hamels is going to have to do it. Blanton is going to have to do it. Moyer and Kendrick are going to have to do it. And I'm definitely going to have to do it or my butt is going to be back in Triple-A again, and I definitely don't want that."

OK, as I often do in this space, I'll ask you to play manager. If you were Manuel, how would you structure the Phillies' rotation?

July 29 -- FELIZ TO DL

WASHINGTON -- Just came upstairs from the clubhouse, and I have a few pre-game updates:

1. Pedro Feliz was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 25 with lower back inflammation. Charlie Manuel said Sunday that Feliz, who missed all three games last weekend against Atlanta, was close to returning. But Feliz had discomfort while trying to throw and has been sent back to Philadelphia. That leaves Greg Dobbs and Eric Bruntlett to share time at third base. Mike Cervenak has been recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Feliz's spot.

2. J.A. Happ has arrived, but he likely won't pitch tonight. Manuel left open the possibility that Happ could be used as a starter, which seemingly would imply that Brett Myers could move to the bullpen. But both Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee said that they haven't discussed using Myers as anything but a starter. So, for now, it's Myers in the rotation, Happ in the bullpen. But if Myers doesn't pitch well tonight, well, stay tuned.

3. You know the trade deadline is approaching when Pat Gillick, Ruben Amaro Jr., and Mike Arbuckle are all on the road trip. Usually, only one of them is with the team on the road. There are plenty of rumors floating around (some true, some untrue), and we've heard the rumblings about lefty reliever Ron Mahay coming to the Phils, possibly for shortstop prospect Jason Donald. For now, team officials have nothing to report. If they do, we'll let you know.

Phillies lineup tonight against Nationals starter Collin Balester (1-2, 5.75): SS Jimmy Rollins (.271/7/36), CF Shane Victorino (.283/8/35), 2B Chase Utley (.288/25/71), 1B Ryan Howard (.237/30/94), LF Pat Burrell (.277/26/61), RF Geoff Jenkins (.241/9/27), 3B Greg Dobbs (.313/3/21), C Chris Coste (.291/8/27), RHP Brett Myers (3-9, 5.82).

July 29 -- PREGAME NOTES

WASHINGTON -- The traffic is miserable, the summer weather is sweltering, and until this season, the ballpark was atrocious. But, I must confess, Washington is one of my favorite cities in the National League. The restaurants are excellent (next time you're here, try this one), the architecture is breathtaking, and for a history/politics buff, there's plenty of both to soak in.

Thus, in the spirit of Washington, we'll borrow a line from Thomas Jefferson (the former President, not the giant-headed character who I once saw take a header during the President's Race at RFK) and say that "we hold these truths to be self-evident" about the Phillies as they open a three-game series here tonight:

1. Of their remaining 57 games, 12 are against the last-place Nationals. But Washington always gives the Phillies fits. The season series is tied at 3-3, and three of the games have been decided by one run.

2. Tim Redding, who starts for the Nats tomorrow night, hasn't allowed a run in 13-1/3 innings against the Phils this season.

3. The Phillies are 10-2 against the Braves, 46-47 against everyone else. Since June 1, the Phillies are 8-1 against the Braves and 12-22 against everyone else. With only six more games left against Atlanta, the Phillies will have to improve against everyone else.

4. At 42-29, the Phillies have the best record among NL teams in night games. That bodes well, considering the Phillies play six straight nights games this week in DC and St. Louis.

5. The Phillies' last three victories have been memorable comebacks. They scored six runs in the ninth inning last Tuesday night in New York, then rallied from a six-run deficit Saturday and a five-run deficit Sunday against the Braves' beleaguered bullpen.

Here's a preview of the series that ran in today's News Journal:

PHILLIES (56-49) at NATIONALS (38-67)
Tonight, 7:10: RHP Brett Myers (3-9, 5.82) vs. RHP Collin Balester (1-2, 5.75)
Wednesday, 7:10: LHP Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.76) vs. RHP Tim Redding (7-5, 3.98)
Thursday, 7:10: RHP Kyle Kendrick (8-5, 4.70) vs. LHP John Lannan (6-10, 3.33)
Hot: Phillies CF Shane Victorino, who admitted to Googling his name to keep tabs on trade rumors, has an eight-game hitting streak and is batting .382 with five homers and 11 RBIs over his past 13 games; Phillies C Chris Coste has five hits in seven at-bats since a 3-for-35 slump; Nationals C Wil Nieves is batting .339 with 10 RBIs in his past 19 starts; Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman is batting .345 in his past 15 games.
Not: Phillies 2B Chase Utley is batting .234 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 34 games since June 13; Phillies 3B Pedro Feliz has missed the past three games with lower back tightness; Nationals SS Cristian Guzman has two hits in his last 22 at-bats and has missed the past two games with a bruised left thumb; Nationals CF Lastings Milledge is 1-for-10 since returning from the disabled list.

July 29 -- HAPP RECALLED

WASHINGTON -- As expected, the Phillies have recalled left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ from Class AAA Lehigh Valley to replace demoted right-hander Adam Eaton. Happ is expected to be available to pitch out of the bullpen tonight against the Nationals.

The move appeared imminent Sunday when Happ was removed prematurely from a start despite throwing only 41 pitches in 2-2/3 innings and was seen receiving congratulatory handshakes from teammates. Eaton agreed Monday to a minor-league assignment, opening a roster spot for Happ.

Happ, 25, has been a starter throughout his career, but he likely will be used in the bullpen. The Phillies have been looking for a second left-handed reliever to pair with J.C. Romero, and they still could make a deal before Thursday's 4 p.m. nonwaiver trade deadline.

In 20 games (19 starts) for Lehigh Valley, Happ is 7-6 with a 3.30 ERA and 127 strikeouts. Lefties are batting .242 against him, while right-handed hitters are batting only .227.
Happ also made two starts for the Phillies earlier this month and went 0-0 with a 3.27 ERA. He allowed eight hits, walked eight and struck out eight in 11 innings against the Mets on July 4 and the Cardinals on July 9.

"He could be a long guy [out of the bullpen]," Pat Gillick said yesterday. "It would be a new ball of wax for him. He has to kind of learn what he needs to get ready. It's a little bit of a role change."

Back in a bit with some pregame notes.

July 28 -- BREAKING NEWS: EATON TO MINORS (UPDATED)

Adam Eaton, the $24.5 Million Man, has accepted an assignment to the Phillies' minor league system.

The Phillies' won't announce a roster move until tomorrow in Washington, but odds are, J.A. Happ will be recalled as a left-hander for the bullpen.

Eaton, who signed a three-year, $24.5 million contract before last season, is 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA in 21 games (19 starts). He was moved to the bullpen 10 days ago after the Phils traded for Joe Blanton, and he had made only two relief appearances. In his most recent outing, yesterday against the Braves, he allowed three runs in the fourth inning. Last season, Eaton posted a 6.29 ERA that was among the worst in baseball.

Like Brett Myers earlier this month, Eaton had a right to refuse the assignment because he has spent five years in the majors. But team officials met with Eaton after yesterday's game, and the move was made today after Eaton agreed to it.

More in a bit.

(Updated, 12:54 p.m.): Spoke to Pat Gillick moments ago, and he said Eaton probably will be pitching in the farm system until the end of the minor-league season, which means Labor Day weekend. Gillick said the Phillies began discussing this move with Eaton's agent, Jim Lindell, for about five days. They presented the idea to Eaton on Thursday, and he agreed to the move yesterday. "We can't give him regular work here," Gillick said. "He's been a starter all his life. At this point, he's unproductive as a starter. This is the only way he can get back on track."

(Updated, 7:55 p.m.): More from Gillick: "At this moment, he can't throw the ball where he wants to. He can't locate at the moment. With his stuff, he's got to be able to locate with better command than he's had thus far. If he does that, he'll be fine. Until that happens, it’'s very difficult."

I know y'all have an opinion about this, so let's hear it. Are you surprised the Phillies made this move?

July 27 -- UTLEY INJURED?

There has been statistical and anecdotal evidence to suggest that a nagging injury is the cause of Chase Utley's month-long slump.

Now, there may be confirmation.

During the nearly two-hour rain delay today at the Bank, GM Pat Gillick was talking about the Phillies' team-wide offensive funk when he offered that Utley is "having some trouble with his [right] hip." And when Charlie Manuel gave Utley a day off July 12, he said the second baseman had a few "knocks and bruises."

So, Chase, what gives?

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Utley said with a smile after the 12-10 win over the Braves. "That's a good question because I don't know anything about that. I understand why you'd ask because I'd ask the same question. I think this is just a miscommunication or something."

Regardless, Utley has only three multi-hit games over his last 19 games and is batting .234 with only three home runs and 10 RBIs in his last 34 games. In his first 69, he batted .317 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs.

So, what do you think? Is something bugging Utley?

***
J.A. Happ may be rejoining the Phillies. Happ was lifted after throwing 41 pitches in 2-2/3 innings today for triple-A Lehigh Valley, and although the Phillies had no postgame roster moves to announce, Happ told a reporter who covers the IronPigs that he isn't injured. "They haven't made a move yet, so I don't feel it's appropriate to comment. I'm still waiting for the phone call."

So, clearly, something is going on. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Phils recall Happ to be a situational lefty out of the bullpen. A corresponding move would have to be made, of course, and it could involve either Rudy Seanez (6.14 ERA in his last eight outings) or Adam Eaton, who surrendered three runs in two innings today and has pitched twice since being moved to the bullpen 10 days ago.

Stay tuned.

July 27 -- IN-GAME: TRADE TALK

Sat down with Pat Gillick for a few minutes during the rain delay, and he said the No. 1 priority before Thursday's trade deadline is finding a lefty reliever to, in his words, "give [J.C.] Romero more breathing room." Romero presently is the lone lefty in the Phils' bullpen. But Gillick also said "it's a possibility" that they could wait until the August waiver deadline to acquire a pitcher because a few quality arms may clear waivers. Remember, the Phillies didn't trade for Jamie Moyer in 2006 until two weeks after the July 31 deadline.

Also, about those Manny Ramirez-to-the-Phillies reports that have been circulating in other cities: Forget about it. Gillick said last winter that the Phils wouldn't be eager to welcome the many distractions that come with Manny being Manny, and there's no indication that his or the Phillies' stance has changed. More important, though, Manny doesn't play right field, and if the Phillies add a bat, it most likely would have to be in right field.

For more, check tomorrow's News Journal and www.delawareonline.com/phillies.

July 27 -- PHILLIES PHESTIVAL RETURNS MONDAY

The Phillies and Braves just resumed play after a nearly two-hour rain delay, but I wanted to let y'all know about the annual Phillies Phestival to raise money for ALS research. The event will begin at 5 p.m. tomorrow (Monday) here at The Bank, and you'll have the opportunity to get autographs and take pictures with Phillies players and coaches.

For more information and a schedule of events, please click here.

July 27 -- CALL IT A COMEBACK

Jimmy Rollins must've been late.

After the Phillies rallied for seven runs in the fifth inning yesterday and turned a 9-3 deficit into a 10-9 win, J-Roll dressed quickly and hustled out of the clubhouse. Asked for his thoughts on the big victory, he said, "What a game. That's my quote."

OK, true enough, I suppose. The Phillies were left for dead after Cole Hamels, of all pitchers, allowed nine runs in the fourth inning, erasing an early 3-0 lead. There was no reason to believe the Phillies, booted from first place this week, could come back. But they strung together four straight hits to open the fifth inning, and Greg Dobbs belted a three-run pinch-hit homer into the second deck in right field, and the Phillies were ahead.

Over the past two seasons, the Phils have made a habit of improbable comebacks like that. The last one, in fact, occurred on Tuesday when they scored six runs in the ninth inning against the Mets' Billy Wagner-less bullpen at Shea. But any momentum from that victory was washed away in the first inning Wednesday when Brett Myers issued four walks and allowed two runs.

So, can the Phillies keep the good mojo going today? Or will yesterday's game be another fleeting moment in a month of lost opportunities? We'll find out.

***
With the Yankees trading for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte, and the Dodgers completing a deal for Casey Blake, what's left for the Phillies before Thursday's trade deadline? We examine that in the Phillies notebook. Also, Hamels had the worst inning of his life, and Brad Lidge showed some good bounceability.

***
Goose Gossage will be inducted today into the Hall of Fame, a long-overdue honor for one of the most intimidating closers in history. That and more in our Sunday baseball notes. For some reason, the "Inside Pitches" that run with the Sunday notes aren't online. In the pages of The News Journal, though, we suggested that Rollins buy one of these next time he's in New York.

***
This isn't Phillies-related, but we're all baseball fans here, so I know some of y'all may find this interesting. The great Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star wrote a pretty awesome piece on Royals starter Brian Bannister. I covered Banny for two seasons in the minors, and he's the most cerebral, inciteful baseball player I've come across. Much is made of the Mets' blunder in trading Scott Kazmir in July 2004. Dealing Bannister to the Royals for reliever Ambiorix Burgos at the winter meetings in 2006 wasn't much smarter.

Enjoy your Sunday.

July 26 -- IN-GAME: DOBBS DELIVERS AGAIN

So, if you stepped out for a nice Saturday night dinner, you probably left with the Phillies trailing 9-3 after the worst inning of Cole Hamels' life.

Well, it's a little different story now.

The Phillies are leading 10-9 after scoring seven runs in the fifth inning, the final three coming on a towering home run into the second deck in right field by Greg Dobbs. It was Dobbs' majors-leading 20th pinch-hit this season, tying a 95-year-old Phillies record for most pinch-hits in a season. Doc Miller also had 20 pinch hits -- in 1913!

This is the sort of game with enough storylines to make any writer's fingers cramp. So, while I tap away at the keyboard, I'll leave you with this story about Dobbs' pinch-hitting prowess that ran in The News Journal last month.

July 26 -- NADY, MARTE TO YANKEES

If the Phillies are going to acquire a lefty reliever and another hitter before Thursday's trade deadline, they no longer can target Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady.

Pending physicals, the Pirates dealt Marte and Nady (right) to the Yankees last night for right-hander Ross Ohlendorf and three minor leaguers, including top outfield prospect Jose Tabata. It would seem the Phillies' equivalent to that package would've been something like J.A. Happ, Greg Golson and two other minor leaguers. Seems to me like that's a fairly steep price.

Regardless, the Phillies need something. Charlie Manuel's team meeting yesterday certainly didn't work. Perhaps they'll turn their attention to another Pirates reliever, lefty John Grabow. Colorado's Brian Fuentes, Kansas City's Ron Mahay, Oakland's Alan Embree, Baltimore's George Sherrill and Atlanta's Will Ohman are among the lefty relievers who also may be available.

July 25 -- ROLLINS' RULES

Pretend, for a moment, that you're Charlie Manuel.

Jimmy Rollins, your MVP shortstop, showed up late for work yesterday for the second time in a few weeks. The last time it happened, Rollins called to tell you he was stuck in traffic. This time, no call. It's almost an hour before the rubber match of a huge three-game series against the Mets, and your leadoff hitter, one of the supposed example-setting leaders of your team, is AWOL.

You're ticked off, right?

Because your players are grown men, you have only two rules: Hustle and be on time. Rollins has now broken both in a seven-week span. Oh, and when he's on the field, he has been a shell of his MVP self, batting .269 with six home runs, 35 RBIs and 42 runs. Since June 13, as your mighty offense has floundered, Rollins' on-base percentage is .322 and his OPS is .734.

So, when he finally arrives, you call him into your office and do the only thing a manager can do in this situation. You bench him. You take him out of the starting lineup and replace him with Eric Bruntlett. Confident that you have the backing of your players (Manuel does), you hope that the move will embarrass Rollins, will motivate him, will snap him out of whatever mental funk he has been in since winning the MVP last November. Is there a chance you could lose Rollins completely? Sure. But if he keeps playing/behaving like this, you aren't going to make the playoffs anyway.

That, in a nutshell, was what happened at Shea Stadium yesterday.

This wasn't an isolated incident. It has been building over time. But it's pretty straightforward. Manuel has been trying to get through to Rollins, and perhaps benching him in the biggest game of the season to date will do the trick.

So, I'll go back to this. Pretend you're Charlie Manuel. What would you have done?

***
Oh yeah, the Phillies lost yesterday and fell out of first place for the first time since May 31. They had led the NL East for 52 consecutive days, their longest stretch since 2001 when they led for 78 days in a row until June 26 and then not again. Once again, they couldn't hit Mets starter Oliver Perez, who has a 0.35 ERA in four starts against the Phillies and a 5.74 ERA in 17 starts against everyone else. The Phils are 4-9 against the Mets this season after going 12-6 against them last year, including seven straight wins to end the season.

What gives?

"I think something's not in tune," Manuel said after the Phillies slid to 15-22 since June 8. "We need to pick it up. I don't know if it's [not being] hungry enough. I just haven't put my finger on it. We've got to get after it more. I don't know how to explain it."

***
Chase Utley was 0-for-12 against the Mets and is hitless in his last 14 at-bats. But Utley insists he's healthy, and Manuel said he'd put his money on Utley snapping out of this slump.

Also, within the notebook, the Phillies weren't happy with Jose Reyes' home-run celebration Wednesday night. Hmmm. I wonder how other teams feel about Ryan Howard admiring his homers or J.C. Romero windmilling his arm every time he strikes somebody out?

July 24 -- ROLLINS WAS LATE

NEW YORK -- Just got back upstairs to my computer after some time in the clubhouse, and, as you probably know, Jimmy Rollins was benched today because he was approximately one hour late to Shea Stadium. The Phillies were told to report to the clubhouse by about 10 a.m. for the 12:10 p.m. start. Rollins, who said he got caught in traffic, didn't arrive until a few minutes after 11 a.m.

"That's one of our rules -- hustle and be on time," Charlie Manuel said.

Rollins now has broken both. On June 5, he was pulled out of a game because he didn't hustle on a pop fly to shallow left field.

Manuel met with Rollins before the game. Rollins said he didn't agree with Manuel's decision to replace him in the lineup with Eric Bruntlett, who, by the way, had three hits.

"Just a little too late," Rollins said. "Can't change the lights. We're not going to agree on this one. I agreed with him last time. He's the manager. He has to set a precedent with certain players. That's fine."

Much more on this later and tomorrow in The News Journal.

July 24 -- ROLLINS SCRATCHED

NEW YORK -- Jimmy Rollins has been scratched from the lineup. Eric Bruntlett will play shortstop and bat leadoff.

No word yet on why Rollins is out, but as soon as I know, you'll know.

(Updated, 1:46 p.m.): Still no information on Rollins, and it's the seventh inning. Typically, if a lineup change is injury-related, the team alerts the media. That we haven't gotten an update yet leads me to believe it isn't injury-related. Should know more after the game.

(Updated, 2:20 p.m.): Well, we know Rollins isn't hurt. Or, at least, not hurt enough to pinch-hit in the ninth inning -- and ground into a game-ending fielder's choice on the first pitch he saw from Billy Wagner. The Phillies have fallen out of first place for the first time since May 31, a span of 44 games.

Should be an interesting postgame session in the clubhouse.

July 24 -- PREGAME NOTES & LINEUPS

NEW YORK -- So, some of the Phillies weren't particularly thrilled with Jose Reyes' finger- and arm-raised home-run salute between first and second base in the sixth inning. And while Charlie Manuel said he probably would've talked to Reyes about it if Reyes was on his team, he also admitted that several of his own players are guilty of the same type of behavior when they do something good (we're talking about you Ryan Howard, and you J.C. Romero, and you Jimmy Rollins).

Will there be any retaliation against Reyes? We'll have to wait and see, although Ryan Madson, who gave up the homer, said none of his teammates have come to him to talk about it.

Here's a question, though: How come it's acceptable for some players to show emotion after going something positive, but others get criticized for it? And how come is OK for NFL linemen to celebrate a quarterback sack or NBA players to celebrate a big basket, but it's not OK for baseball players to gaze at their home runs. Just wondering.

Your lineups for today's game ...
Phillies: SS Jimmy Rollins, 2B Chase Utley, LF Pat Burrell, 1B Ryan Howard, RF Jayson Werth, CF Shane Victorino, 3B Pedro Feliz, C Chris Coste, LHP Jamie Moyer.
Mets: SS Jose Reyes, LF Nick Evans, 3B David Wright, 1B Carlos Delgado, CF Carlos Beltran, RF Fernando Tatis, 2B Damion Easley, C Ramon Castro, LHP Oliver Perez.

Enjoy the game!

July 24 -- BUZZ KILL

NEW YORK -- So, roughly six hours before last night's game started, I ate lunch at Mama's, a deli near Shea Stadium. As the friendly owners -- dressed in Mets jerseys, by the way -- made my delicious "Super Italian" sub, they told me that they do the catering for the clubhouses at Shea. After rallying in the ninth inning Tuesday night, the Phillies placed the same order for last night's game, and in the interest of improving their favorite team's luck, the fine folks at Mama's decided to make the same sandwiches for the Mets' clubhouse. Lo and behold, Jose Reyes hit a decisive three-run homer off Ryan Madson and the Mets won 6-3, tying the Phillies for the NL East lead and squaring the three-game series with the rubber match set for today.

It must've been the sandwiches.

Or, perhaps, it was Brett Myers.

Fresh from his three-week mission to the minors and making his first big-league start since June 27, Myers issued four consecutive walks and allowed two runs in the first inning, sapping any residual momentum the Phillies may have gleaned from Tuesday night's comeback. He threw 95 pitches, only 49 strikes, and lasted just five innings before turning things over to Madson, who had allowed three runs since May 25 prior to Reyes' three-run shot.

Myers, Charlie Manuel and catcher Carlos Ruiz put their best positive spin on it, but I thought it was more of the same for Myers, whose disappointing season continues. And Martin Frank wonders, quite reasonably, how much longer the Phillies can afford to keep Myers in the rotation before turning to J.A. Happ or Carlos Carrasco or pulling the trigger on a deal for another starter.

***
Within the notebook, Joe Blanton talks about his pedestrian Phillies debut. Also, seldom-used So Taguchi admits that he has spoken to Manuel about his playing time. Taguchi, it should be noted, posted his second straight pinch-hit last night. He's 2-for-18 in that situation this season.

***
Quick turnaround today, so we'll be back in a bit with lineups. For now, here are a few stats to chew on with your breakfast: Jamie Moyer has a 2.63 ERA in nine career starts at Shea, while Oliver Perez has held the Phillies scoreless in 18-1/3 innings this season.

Winner takes first place. Who do you like in this one?

July 23 -- ALL ABOUT MYERS

NEW YORK -- The sun still hasn't come out at Shea, and The Apple continues to buzz over last night's game. During the 10-minute drive over here from the hotel, a variety of frustrated callers on WFAN were yelling about a) Johan Santana not coming out for the ninth inning, b) the motley crew of relievers filling in for Billy Wagner not being able to hold a three-run lead with the bottom of the Phillies' lineup coming up and c) Jose Reyes getting beaten to the bag by Shane Victorino and not getting the out at first base either. There were even a few callers who said last night's game reminded them of the Mets' collapse last September.

It's all music to every Phillies fan's ears.

Anyway, a few pregame notes today:

1. Spoke to Pat Gillick before yesterday's game, and he said it's a "good possibility" that the Phils will make another trade before the July 31 deadline. He said pitching remains the priority, although he's pursuing a bat, too. The Pirates may be dangling outfielder Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte. What would you give up for them?

2. Tom Gordon continues to play catch in Clearwater, and pitching coach Rich Dubee said it'll likely be 7-10 days before he throws from a mound. So, don't expect to see Gordon in a game for the Phillies until late August-ish.

3. Santana threw 105 pitches last night. He hadn't thrown more than 100 since June 28 against the Yankees, and his season-high was 116. So, while Mets fans would've liked to see Santana start the ninth inning, especially with Wagner unavailable (he supposely can pitch tonight, by the way), the real issue is that the Mets relievers couldn't protect a three-run lead with the bottom of the Phillies' lineup coming up.

4. Mets third-base coach Luis Aguayo had two runners thrown out at the plate last night. No truth to the rumor that Willie Randolph advised Aguayo not to answer his phone at 3 a.m.

5. With his ninth-inning single last night, Greg Dobbs collected his majors-leading 19th pinch-hit, the most in a season for the Phillies since Greg Gross had 19 in 1982.

6. Brad Lidge recorded his career-best 25th consecutive save dating to Sept. 25, 2007, with the Astros. He has converted 22 saves in as many chances for the Phillies, which ties Wagner for the franchise record for consecutive saves in a single season.

7. It's all about Brett Myers tonight. Assuming the rain holds off and the filming of a Geico commercial (yes, the Caveman is here) concludes in time, Myers will make his eagerly anticipated return to the mound. How do you think he'll do?

More later.

July 23 -- SO, HOW ABOUT THAT?

NEW YORK -- A six-run ninth-inning rally? A game-tying, two-run double by So Taguchi? A go-ahead, two-run double by slumping MVP Jimmy Rollins? An improbable come-from-behind victory after being shut down for eight innings by Mets ace Johan Santana?

If you hadn't seen it, you'd have never believed it.

Before we get to Brett Myers and his eagerly anticipated return tonight, here's the story of last night's game from today's News Journal.

***
NEW YORK -- They trotted out a new lineup cobbled together to spark the sputtering offense and a new pitcher acquired last week to strengthen the starting rotation.

Then, they won with an old-fashioned rally capped by an old Big Apple villain.

But before Jimmy Rollins interrupted the Phillies' summer freefall with his go-ahead, two-run double in a six-run ninth inning on a sweaty Tuesday night at jam-packed Shea Stadium, Shane Victorino's hustle and a rare pinch-hit by embattled So Taguchi led to a stirring 8-6 comeback over the Mets, the rival linked so often to the Phillies in the past two seasons.

"We'll definitely take this win," said Victorino, the speedy center fielder besieged by trade rumors over the past week. "I'm not going to say it's going to turn the tide, but this is a crucial time. It's crunch time, and a win like this is definitely big."

To understand how it happened, and its significance, take a step back.

Last September, the Phillies needed 17 games to erase a 7-game deficit and overtake the swooning Mets to win the National League East. This season, it had taken 33 games for the Mets to overcome a 7-1/2-game gap and tie the Phillies atop the division.

And, for eight innings, it seemed they'd bump the Phils from first place for the first time since May 31.

Joe Blanton, the right-hander obtained from Oakland for three minor leaguers, made an inauspicious debut, allowing five runs on eight hits, including a pair of two-run home runs by Carlos Delgado and Ramon Castro that left the Phillies in a 5-1 hole.

Meanwhile, Mets ace Johan Santana, the two-time Cy Young Award winner, quieted the Phillies' floundering offense for eight innings.

"That's what Johan does," Rollins said. "We didn't have too many opportunities."

But after tossing 105 pitches (his season-high is 116), Santana didn't come out for the ninth, and with closer Billy Wagner sidelined by shoulder spasms, the Mets turned to Duaner Sanchez. And the Phils greeted him with consecutive singles by Jayson Werth, pinch-hitting Greg Dobbs and Victorino.

Then, Carlos Ruiz chopped a bases-loaded grounder to shortstop Jose Reyes, and as Werth scored, Victorino beat Reyes to second base, keeping the bases loaded. Manager Charlie Manuel, watching on television after being ejected after the third inning, said it was "the key to the inning."

"As I got close, I could see Reyes, and it looked like he wanted to flip it to [second baseman Damion] Easley," Victorino recalled. "But you just want to get to second there."

The Mets summoned lefty Pedro Feliciano to face Geoff Jenkins, and bench coach Jimy Williams countered with Taguchi because "I just went with the guy I thought would come through."

Taguchi worked an eight-pitch at-bat by fouling off several outside pitches, then stroked a double over right fielder Endy Chavez's head that broke an 0-for-16 pinch-hit drought and scored Dobbs and Victorino.

"I was just trying to concentrate -- see the ball, hit the ball -- trying to make contact," said Taguchi, who led the majors in pinch-hitting last season. "Finally, I got a hit as a pinch-hitter. I didn't know 0-for-16. I didn't count. I didn't want to count."

That Rollins delivered against the Mets was no surprise. After bragging last year that the Phillies would be the "team to beat" in the NL East, he delivered a division crown with an MVP season that included a .346 average against the Mets. But this season Rollins has been disappointing atop the Phillies' lineup, and he was only 6-for-29 (.207) with one RBI against the Mets.

Asked before the game if the winner of this week's pivotal series would be the new team to beat, Rollins said, "The winner of tonight's game is the winner of a one-game lead in the division. That's it, until the next game. Then, the winner of that game will have a two-game lead, and the winner of the next game will have a three-game lead."

What if one team doesn't sweep?

"I don't really plan on that," Rollins said before assuring the Phillies wouldn't get swept.

And perhaps turning around their season in the process.

July 22 -- WELCOME TO SHEA

NEW YORK -- So, it took the Phillies (with a big assist from the Mets) 17 games last September to overcome a 7-1/2-game deficit and win the NL East. It was considered an epic comeback by the Phillies and an epic collapse by the Mets.

Well, it has taken the Mets 33 games to overcome a 7-1/2-game deficit in the NL East this season. And, as they take the field tonight, the Phillies and Mets will be tied for the division lead.

Nobody seems to think this midseason Mets comeback is epic. Not yet, anyway.

But New York is buzzing over this three-game series. Driving up here today, hosts and callers on WFAN were discussing how Johan Santana must begin earning his $140 million by winning a big game tonight and putting the Mets in first place for the first time since April 19.

It's an equally big week for Joe Blanton and Brett Myers, who could go a long way toward giving the Phillies' peace of mind about their rotation.

OK, prediction time, folks. How do you think the Phillies will do this week at Shea?

Back later with lineups and other goodies.

PHILLIES (53-46) at METS (53-46)
Tonight, 7:10: RHP Joe Blanton (5-12, 4.96) vs. LHP Johan Santana (8-7, 3.10)
Wednesday, 7:10: RHP Brett Myers (3-9, 5.84) vs. RHP John Maine (8-7, 4.22)
Thursday, 12:10: LHP Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.90) vs. LHP Oliver Perez (6-6, 4.36)
Hot: Phillies 2B Chase Utley has a 10-game hitting streak and is batting .321 over his last 20 games; Phillies 1B Ryan Howard leads the majors with 29 homers and the league with 87 RBIs and is batting .350 in his last 10 games; Mets 1B Carlos Delgado is batting .419 with four homers and 12 RBIs in his last 17 games; Mets 3B David Wright went 5-for-13 with two homers and six RBIs in four games last week against the Reds.
Not: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins is batting .238 (44-for-185) and has scored 21 runs in his last 45 games; Phillies CF Shane Victorino is batting .227 (20-for-88) with runners in scoring position; Mets 2B Damion Easley has two hits in his last 17 at-bats; Mets C Brian Schneider is hitless in his last nine at-bats.

July 22 -- MEET JOE BLANTON

Joe Blanton joined the Phillies on Saturday in Florida, but he didn't say much. He's a relative stranger to most of his new teammates, having rarely played against them in the minors or majors. And to most of us on the East Coast, who are asleep before most of the Athletics' games end, he's a veritable mystery.

But spend two minutes with Blanton and his country roots (he grew up in Kentucky and lives in Tennessee) come through. He's soft-spoken, with a low, deep voices that barely carries beyond his locker. He's built like Babe Ruth, and he even pulls up his socks just like the Bambino, too. And He isn't much for pop culture. In a piece for the Athletics game program, he admitted that he's never heard of Johnny Drama, and the other day in Florida, he confessed that he doesn't watch much television.

So, to get a better understanding of Blanton, we went in search of someone who knows him well. Luckily, the Marlins have recently recalled catcher John Baker, Blanton's catcher for three seasons in the minors and close friend. So, John, what's your most amusing story about Blanton?

"We used to always walk in the locker room and go, 'Shut up, Joe' because he'd never say anything," Baker said.

Really? That's it.

"We went out for dinner [Saturday] night, and he wanted to go for sushi," Baker continued. "He used to be a chicken-and-steak guy. I was like, 'You like sushi now? When did that happen?'" (Living in the Bay Area, Blanton said he couldn't avoid the raw fish).

But Baker also said Blanton is a pretty good pitcher. His first test will come in a pressure-packed environment tonight at Shea Stadium.

***
If the Mets win the NL East, David Wright knows exactly when their resurgence began.

OK, time to head to New York. More later from Shea.

July 21 -- THAT'S OFFENSIVE!

Morning, all. Just got home from Lauderdale, and I'm trying to figure out what's more incredible.

a) Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight (more on that in a bit)

b) The month-long, team-wide slump that has befallen the Phillies' offense

Here were are, 10 days from the trade deadline, and the Phils need a Batman (sorry, but the movie was really good). Who would've thought that the offense would be the problem? Cole Hamels pitched superbly yesterday, allowing only a pair of solo home runs, and yet he got a no-decision and the Phillies lost 3-2 in 11 innings because the offense came up small. Again. And when it was over, and the Phillies had gone 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 on base, Charlie Manuel sat behind the desk in the visiting manager's office at Dolphin Stadium and vented.

Manuel called the Phillies' situational hitting "absolutely terrible" and "absolutely off the chart, really." Trust me, Chuck could've used a Double Absolut. He also said the lineup is vastly different from last season, when the Phils led the NL with nearly 900 runs, and he indicated, without invoking Aaron Rowand's name, that the Phils desperately miss the gritty center fielder who departed via free agency in December. (One aside: When the Phillies ostensibly replaced Rowand with Geoff Jenkins, I wrote in this space and in The News Journal that Jenkins and Jayson Werth would at least match Rowand's 2007 production. That hasn't happened, especially in the clutch. Rowand batted .287 with 62 RBIs with runners in scoring position last season. Jenkins/Werth are batting .222 with 38 RBIs with RISP. But I digress...)

It has been 30 games since the Phillies put a 20-2 whooping on the Cardinals on June 13 at Busch Stadium. During that span, they have gone 12-18, scored four or fewer runs 20 times, averaged 3.97 runs per game and batted .212 with runners in scoring position. Compare that to the first 69 games, when the Phillies went 41-28, scored four or fewer runs 31 times, averaged 5.41 runs per game and batted .282 with runners in scoring position.

"You've got to really concentrate on moving a runner," said Manuel, exasperated by the Phillies' all-or-nothing reliance on home runs. "You've got to want to move him. Sometimes they feel like we're giving up an at-bat. No, you're not. There's hits all over the field. If you hit behind the runner, you can still get hits. That's just called execution and hitting the ball in the right direction. When we don't do that, I was telling some of our guys around the cage, it's going to be hard for us to win.

"I hear everyone [praise] our lineup, but people don't realize, we've got a different lineup than we had last year. We've got three or four top-notch major-league hitters. Have they had better years? Yes. At the same time, they're still good hitters. But if you follow our team, we've got different people. Sometimes, one guy makes a difference."

Sounds like a plea to management to acquire another hitter, doesn't it? Could a deal be revived for Matt Holliday? From everything I've heard, the Rockies are more likely to trade Holliday during the offseason. Could Xavier Nady help the Phillies?

How would you fix the Phillies' offense?

***
Pat Burrell didn't feel like chatting much yesterday about being replaced in the eighth inning for defensive reasons. But Burrell has said many times before that he doesn't much care for coming out of close games. He understands that he's not the fastest guy in the world. When he draws a walk late in a game, he knows Manuel is going to pinch-run for him. But the Phillies could've used Burrell's bat in the 11th inning yesterday, and instead, they had to settle for Eric Bruntlett.

***
Don't look now, but if the Marlins beat the Braves tonight at Dolphin Stadium, there will be a three-way tie atop the NL East. "I definitely think everybody takes us seriously," Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla said. "We were in first place for month. We just got some guys off the DL. I think everybody knows we're not a fluke. We're right where we need to be."

***
Pitching matchups for the Phillies-Mets series that opens tomorrow night at Shea:
RHP Joe Blanton (5-12, 4.96 w/Oakland) vs. LHP Johan Santana (8-7, 3.10)
RHP Brett Myers (3-9, 5.84) vs. RHP John Maine (8-7, 4.22)
LHP Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.90) vs. LHP Oliver Perez (6-6, 4.36)

***
Do yourself a favor and see The Dark Knight, if you haven't already. A few fellow Phillies scribes and I caught a late show last night in Lauderdale. Also, if you're ever in the Lauderdale/Miami area, make sure to eat here. GQ rated their burgers as the best in the nation, and after sampling one Saturday night, I think I concur.

July 20 -- HAS MYERS FOUND HIS MOJO?

"It's good to see some old faces that you didn't see in a while, to have them tell you, 'What the hell is wrong with you? This is the way you used to be.' When they tell you that, it opens your eyes a little bit and you go, 'What the heck have I become?'
- Brett Myers

MIAMI -- And what, exactly, had Myers become?

"You can't print it," he said.

Myers returned to the Phillies' clubhouse yesterday and spoke, quite honestly, about his three-week stint in the minors. He agreed to the assignment because he wanted to fix his mechanics and recover his fastball, and that probably wasn't going to happen amid the constant scrutiny of the majors. In his last start, Friday night at single-A Clearwater, he said he threw nearly 70 percent fastballs. In an earlier start at triple-A Lehigh Valley, he recalled being frustrated about not being able to finish off hitters early in the game with his fastball. Later, after Myers had settled down and pitched well, Lehigh Valley pitching coach Rod Nichols told him that particular opponent was a good fastball-hitting team. It helped build his confidence.

But Myers stopped short of saying that he has regained his swagger or, in the words of Austin Powers, his mojo.

"It's kind of hard to tell right now," Myers said. "I guess we'll see next time I pitch."

Charlie Manuel made it official this morning: That will be Wednesday night at Shea Stadium against the Mets. Joe Blanton will make his Phillies debut Tuesday night against Johan Santana.

***

Former major-league pitcher David Cone used to describe the feeling of standing on the mound and knowing he didn't have his best stuff as "pitching naked."

Kyle Kendrick was all kinds of naked yesterday.

He didn't have his signature sinker, and he got hammered by the Marlins, the only team with more homers than the Phillies. Said center fielder Cody Ross after the game, "If they want to mash, we can mash. We don't lead the league in homers for nothing."

***

Within our Sunday MLB notes, we further examine the deal for Blanton. And we congratulate our buddy Dave Smith, a biology professor at the University of Delaware and founder of the awesome baseball stats database Retrosheet.org, for receiving an award today from the Baseball Reliquary, a different sort of Hall of Fame.

Enjoy your Sunday.

July 19 -- MYERS RETURNS, BLANTON ARRIVES

MIAMI -- Lots to get to today for The Paper, but before I start typing away, wanted to pass along that Brett Myers has resurfaced in the Phillies' clubhouse, two lockers away from the just-arrived Joe Blanton. Myers, who feigned kisses with good friend Ryan Madson, was asked if he believes his 20-day, head-clearing and mechanics-altering mission to the minors worked.

"I guess we'll see next time I pitch," he said. "It's kind of hard to tell right now."

Next time Myers pitches will be Wednesday night against the Mets at Shea Stadium, and if Myers went to the minors to recover some of his lost mojo, a return engagement against the Phils' biggest rival in the City That Never Sleeps may help him reacquire that swagger, too.

"I couldn't think of a better team for me to come back against," Myers said.

Why?

"Because I don't like 'em," he continued. "We're not supposed to like 'em. Nothing against those guys. They're our rival. We like beating them. They like beating us."

More from Myers and Blanton in your Sunday News Journal.

***
Today's lineup against Marlins LHP Scott Olsen (5-4, 3.77 ERA): SS Jimmy Rollins (.273/6/31), CF Shane Victorino (.278/5/29), 2B Chase Utley (.294/25/70), 1B Ryan Howard (.234/29/85), LF Pat Burrell (.274/23/57), RF Jayson Werth (.270/12/36), 3B Pedro Feliz (.266/12/45), C Chris Coste (.279/7/21), RHP Kyle Kendrick (8-3, 4.47).

Blanton has been added to the roster. RHP Joe Bisenius has been optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley. Myers hasn't been activated yet. When he is, expect INF Mike Cervenak to be headed back to Lehigh Valley.

July 18 -- MYERS LOSES

MIAMI -- Quick update on Brett Myers, who started the first seven-inning game of a double-header tonight for Class A Clearwater.

Myers allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, walked one and struck out six in 6-2/3 innings and took the loss in a 3-2 setback against Brevard County. With the game tied 2-2 in the seventh, Myers allowed a leadoff double to Charlie Fermaint, who went to third base on an error by Clearwater center fielder Quintin Berry. After a groundout, Myers intentionally walked Stephen Chapman to set up a possible double play. Fermaint was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice grounder to shortstop, but Chapman scored from second base one batter later on Jimmy Mojica's line-drive single to left field.

If you keep track of such things, Myers has lost at every level he has pitched this season (he's 3-9 with the Phillies, 1-1 at Class AAA Lehigh Valley, 0-1 at Class AA Reading and 0-1 at Class A Clearwater).

Since Myers is in Florida, I'd expect to see him here at Dolphin Stadium tomorrow.

July 18 -- EATON TO BULLPEN

MIAMI -- Adam Eaton is moving to the bullpen.

Try not to contain your excitement, Phillies fans.

"Anything to help the team," Eaton said about an hour ago in the Phillies' clubhouse here at Dolphin Stadium. "I'd like to be a starter, don't get me wrong. But I'm on one of the best teams in the big leagues. We're going to win this thing."

Eaton, 3-8 with a 5.71 ERA in 19 starts this season, has made two career relief appearances, both with the Padres in 2005. He tossed a scoreless ninth inning Aug. 2, 2005, in Pittsburgh, then allowed four runs in the ninth inning two days later against the Pirates.

Joe Blanton, who will take Eaton's rotation spot, is expected to join the team later tonight or Saturday. The Phillies haven't determined when he'll make his debut, although Tuesday night against the Mets at Shea Stadium remains a strong possibility.

***
Get well soon to Harry Kalas, who underwent surgery this morning on a detached retina in his left eye. Harry is expected to miss at least 5-10 days.

July 17 -- HAPP ON BLANTON

Not to distract from your opinions about the Joe Blanton trade (please, keep 'em coming), but good friend Chad Jennings from the Scranton Times-Tribune passes along these thoughts from J.A. Happ, who tossed seven no-hit innings and struck out 12 in the resumption of a suspended game tonight at triple-A Lehigh Valley. Before the trade, Happ was told that he may start Tuesday night against the Mets at Shea Stadium. Now, that start likely will belong to Blanton.

"I tried to block it out, obviously, and go out and try to do what I can do," Happ said. "I haven't had a lot of time to think about it, but I guess, obviously, I would like to be in their plans immediately."

Asked if he expected the trade, Happ said, "I knew it was a possibility, let's put it that way."

***
Meanwhile, courtesy of loyal reader RutgersESQ, here's a link to Blanton's blog on MLB.com. The most recent entry is fairly appropriate. And here's a breakdown of his career statistics.

Personally, I think this was a gamble worth taking for the Phillies. Adrian Cardenas may turn out to be a .300 hitter in the majors, but it was hard to see that happening with the Phillies. Any time that I asked a team official about Cardenas, I was told that his best position was second base, which Chase Utley has pretty well-occupied. Assistant GM Mike Arbuckle told me Cardenas didn't have the arm to play third, and his offensive numbers, projected to be above-average for a second baseman, would've been ordinary for an outfielder (there also is no telling if he could handle the defense in, say, left field). Josh Outman had struggled as a reliever, and after being shifted to the bullpen by the Phillies, a fresh start with a new organization may be what he needs.

So, what do you think of the deal? Like it? Don't like it?

More from me tomorrow from Florida.

July 17 -- PHILS GET BLANTON

In about 10 minutes, Joe Blanton, the Phillies' newest pitcher, will hold a conference call with reporters. The Phillies have traded three minor-leaguers -- second baseman Adrian Cardenas, lefty Josh Outman and outfielder Matt Spencer -- to Oakland to acquire Blanton, a 27-year-old right-hander. While we wait, I wanted to pass along a few stats about Blanton, who likely will start Tuesday night in the opener of a series against the Mets at Shea Stadium (Adam Eaton or J.A. Happ would've made that start).

1. Blanton has thrown more than 194 innings in each of the past three seasons. Last year, he threw a whopping 230 innings. No idea if that has contributed to his 5-12 record and 4.96 ERA in 20 starts. We'll try to find out.

2. He went 16-12 in 2006 and 14-10 in 2007. Last year, he posted a 3.95 ERA, which is particularly stellar in the American League.

3. Blanton has received only 3.48 runs per game in his starts this season. In seven of his 20 starts, the A's scored less than two runs. They scored more than four runs only seven times.

4. When Blanton receives four or more runs, his career record is 37-5. With the Phillies' offense, that should bode well.

What do you think of the deal?

July 16 -- MARSON, DONALD HEADED TO OLYMPICS

NEW YORK -- Just wanted to pass along that a pair of Phillies prospects -- catcher Lou Marson and shortstop Jason Donald -- were among the players named today to the 24-man U.S. Olympic baseball roster. They will compete in Beijing next month.

Donald, 23, is batting .301 with 12 homers and 47 RBIs for Class AA Reading.

Marson, 22, is batting .321 with four homers and 45 RBIs, also for Reading.

The U.S. team will be managed by Davey Johnson. The teams will play four pre-Olympic games against Canada before heading to China. The first Olympic game is Aug. 13 against Korea.

July 16 -- A LOOOOOONG NIGHT

NEW YORK -- Morning, all. Hey, quick question: Is the All-Star Game still going on?

Oh, that's right. The AL finally scored in the 15th inning against Brad Lidge, the NL's appointed closer, on a sacrifice fly by Michael Young. It should be noted that NL right fielder Corey Hart made a strong throw to the plate, and Justin Morneau nearly was tagged out. In fact, from my seat in the press box, it first appeared that he might have been. But, after 4 hours and 50 minutes, the longest All-Star Game in history ended, mercifully, and we can sit here and review a fairly incredible night at Yankee Stadium.

Lidge said he'll never forget a pre-game ceremony that was positively awesome. Nearly 50 Hall of Famers stood, shoulder-to-shoulder, with the present All-Stars on Yankee Stadium's hallowed ground. Willie Mays was there. So was Hank Aaron. Upon being introduced, Willie McCovey strained to stand. Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson and Goose Gossage threw ceremonial first pitches to Joe Girardi, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera. George Steinbrenner, apparently so frail that he's unable to stand up, was driven to the mound and received a standing ovation.

It was enough to give Chase Utley goosebumps.

"It was overwhelming," Utley said later, in the NL clubhouse. "Being on the field with all those greats. I had a chance to stand next at second base next to Rod Carew and Ryne Sandberg. It was pretty neat."

Said Lidge, "The introduction of the Hall of Famers was unbelievable. I'll never forget that. I tried to take a mental snapshot so I know I never will."

***
In an online version of the notebook (deadlines!), Lidge said he warmed up in the ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th innings before finally getting into the game in the 15th. How many pitches did he throw? His best guess: A dozen to two dozen in each inning. Lidge said he didn't have any cell-phone messages from Charlie Manuel or Rich Dubee last night, but I'm sure he'll get a few calls from them today.

What would've happened if the game had continued? Well, Lidge said he might've been able to throw one more inning, though he wasn't certain. NL manager Clint Hurdle said he already talked to Mets star David Wright about pitching. Wright was ready to go.

***
Barring an unexpected trip back here, it was my last visit to Yankee Stadium. And in The Paper this morning, I waxed sentimental about The House That Ruth Built. Know this: The first game I ever attended was at Yankee Stadium. So was the second, the third, and so on. As a kid, it was the biggest place I'd ever seen, with its blue seats, its white frieze facade, its monuments to Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle beyond the left-center field fence. There were countless father-son moments for me in that building, and although the new Stadium rising across the street looks like quite the palace, I'll miss it when it's gone. I suspect -- in fact, I know -- I won't be alone.