June 30 -- ON IBANEZ, HAPP, FRIDAY NIGHT

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ATLANTA -- A few notes before Jimmy Rollins takes his highly anticipated first swing here tonight:

1. Raul Ibanez has left the team to begin working out with Class AA Reading. It's possible, Charlie Manuel said, that Ibanez could play in a game for Reading tomorrow. Assistant GM Benny Looper, who is on this trip with the team, said Ibanez likely needs 10-12 at-bats in the minors before he's ready to play. So, it's unlikely that Ibanez will be back by Friday night's game against the Mets, but a weekend return isn't entirely out of the question. Of course, the Phillies won't rush Ibanez either, and groin injuries can be tricky. If he needs a few extra days to make sure he's OK, he'll get them.

2. As we Tweeted earlier today, J.A. Happ will start here Thursday night on his regular rest. Jamie Moyer could start on normal rest Friday night, but the Phillies "most likely" will give him an extra day and start him Saturday. That means they'll need a starter for Friday night. ...

3. ... which brings us to the ongoing storyline of who that starter might be. Looper said the Phillies are "pretty close to making a decision." Carlos Carrasco and Drew Carpenter remain the frontrunners, but it's possible they could opt for veteran Rodrigo Lopez, a solid starter for the Orioles once upon a time. Lopez has one thing working against him: He's out of minor-league options, so if the Phillies choose to send him back to Lehigh Valley, he'd be exposed to waivers. Carpenter and Carrasco can be shuttled between the majors and minors without that risk. Looper said Antonio Bastardo will be shut down from throwing for at least three weeks, so the Phillies aren't considering Friday night's game a spot start. That said, I think they may bring Carrasco here and let him make a few starts. If he pitches well, who knows, maybe it will make it less urgent for them to trade for a starter. If he doesn't, well, he'll just go back to the minors and get more seasoning. Regardless, we may know something more definitive tomorrow.

So, that's the latest. Enjoy the game.

June 30 -- FIRST UP, J-ROLL RETURNS (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ATLANTA -- So, we've touched down in the Deep South (strange, isn't it, that the Phillies haven't been here yet this season, and it's nearly July?), and when things get started tonight at Turner Field, there will be intrigue from the very first pitch.

Jimmy Rollins will be at the plate.

Unless he has changed his mind since Sunday evening in Toronto, Charlie Manuel will write a lineup that features Rollins at the top. Rollins, of course, hasn't played since last Wednesday night at Tampa Bay. The four-game, five-day sabbatical was Manuel's idea, a seemingly last-ditch effort to shake Rollins loose from a three-month offensive funk. Rollins is hitless in 19 at-bats, 7-for-56 since June 9, and batting .211 overall in 68 games. His .254 on-base percentage isn't only the worst among regular leadoff hitters in the majors, but it's the worst among all players with enough at-bats to qualify for either league's batting title.

Clearly, the Phillies need Rollins to be better than that. Significantly better. And, it seems, they need him to do it from the leadoff spot. For all the armchair managers who have been clamoring for Manuel to drop Rollins in the lineup, Manuel has a pat answer: If not Rollins, who should lead off? Shane Victorino is the Phillies' next-best leadoff option, and with Rollins on the bench last week in Tampa and Toronto, Victorino went 2-for-15 with a .222 on-base percentage. Jayson Werth? It's a thought, sure. But Werth generally is too streaky to be a reliable table-setter, and he's the Phillies' only legitimate right-handed power threat, making him valuable in the middle of the lineup.

So, it would seem the Phillies are stuck with Rollins in the leadoff spot, for better or worse. And, after benching him for the past four games, they certainly hope it's for the better.

***
Another storyline we'll be following today: With Antonio Bastardo going on the disabled list late last night, the Phillies officially need a starter for Thursday night's game. Pitching coach Rich Dubee said last week the Phillies usually call up the pitcher/player who has been pitching/playing the best recently. According to that criteria, the choice will come down to Lehigh Valley right-handers Carlos Carrasco or Drew Carpenter. Rodrigo Lopez, who has major-league experience with the Orioles and Rockies, is also in the mix.

It's possible the Phillies won't make a decision (or announce their decision) until tomorrow, although I'm thinking (hoping) we'll know something today. So, please check back later for any updates.

(Updated, 3:32 p.m.): J.A. Happ has been listed as Thursday night's starter, which means the Phillies won't use Carrasco or Carpenter or Lopez until Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Mets. Should know more after the Phillies' clubhouse opens to the media in about 8 minutes, so please check back or follow me on Twitter for the latest info.

***
Kyle Drabek won't get the call this week and probably won't be a candidate to pitch for the Phillies until next year. But old friend Ken Mandel has a story about Drabek in today's News Journal. It's a good read, if you're inclined to check it out.

***
I've never been a particularly vocal opponent of inter-league play. Frankly, I think it's a nice change of pace in the middle of the season to see some American League teams. But here's something to consider: The Phillies went 6-12 in inter-league play. The Rockies went 11-4. If they wind up battling for the NL wild-card spot, the Phillies faced the ultra-competitive AL East in inter-league play (Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays), while the Rockies played the far less difficult AL West.

***
Finally, any trip to Atlanta wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Vortex, home of the best Buffalo burgers and tater tots I've ever had. Hoping to make it over there sometime this week. Meanwhile, here's your Phillies-Braves preview:

PHILLIES (39-34) at BRAVES (35-40)
Tonight, 7:10: RHP Joe Blanton (4-4, 5.06) vs. RHP Derek Lowe (7-6, 4.53)
Tomorrow, 7:10: LHP Cole Hamels (4-4, 4.44) vs. RHP Jair Jurrjens (5-6, 2.93)
Thursday, 7:10: TBA vs. RHP Javier Vazquez (5-7, 3.04)
Hot: Phillies RF Jayson Werth is 9-for-19 (.474) with three homers, five RBIs and a .593 on-base percentage over the last six games; Phillies 2B Chase Utley is batting .333 (18-for-54) in his last 14 games; Braves SS Yunel Escobar is 10-for-28 (.357) with three runs and four RBIs over his last six games; Braves LF Garret Anderson is batting .385 (15-for-39) with eight RBIs in his last 10 games.
Not: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins, hitless in 19 at-bats and 7-for-56 since June 9, will return to the leadoff spot tonight after a four-game benching; Phillies 3B Pedro Feliz is 7-for-37 (.149) with three RBIs in his last 12 games; Braves 3B Chipper Jones has one hit in his last 13 at-bats; Braves RF Jeff Francoeur has one home run in his last 80 at-bats.

June 29 -- BASTARDO TO DL

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, Antonio Bastardo saw team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti earlier today, and late tonight, the Phillies have placed Bastardo on the 15-day disabled list with a posterior shoulder strain. There's no word on the extent of the injury or how long Bastardo will be sidelined.

Lefty reliever Sergio Escalona has been recalled from Class AAA Lehigh Valley and will meet the team in Atlanta. It marks the fifth call-up for Escalona, who is the most frequent traveler on the Turnpike between Allentown and Philly.

Still no word on which pitcher will take Bastardo's spot in the rotation and start Thursday night, but Carlos Carrasco and Drew Carpenter remain the top candidates. Last season, when J.A. Happ made a late-season start against the Braves, he wasn't alerted until the day before because the Phillies didn't want him to think too much about a big start. Chances are, they'll do the same with Carrasco or Carpenter, but my guess is the Phillies will make a decision tomorrow.

More tomorrow from Atlanta.

June 29 -- POLICE: ROMERO HIT FAN 'WITH OPEN HAND'

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Just talked by phone with St. Petersburg Police Department spokesman George Katjsa, who read details of the report on the incident involving J.C. Romero and a Rays fan after last Thursday night's game at Tropicana Field.

The officer who received the complaint has classified it as "simple battery," a misdemeanor in Florida, Katjsa told The News Journal. The case has been turned over to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office to determine whether prosecutors will charge Romero.

According to Katjsa, the report indicated that Romero was walking from the bullpen to the dugout (along the third-base line) after the game when he initially ignored Robert Eaton's request for an autograph. Eaton "verbally instigated" the situation, Katjsa said, although police can't confirm what he actually said because it's still under investigation. Regardless, what he said angered Romero, who "came back and the two got into a shouting match. At one point, the player hit the victim with an open hand along his face and neck," Katjsa said.

Police weren't able to interview Romero, Katjsa said, because the Phillies left for the airport to catch a charter flight to Toronto. Eaton, however, refused treatment and didn't have any visible injuries, Katjsa said.

Asked about the incident over the weekend in Toronto, Romero initially had no comment before saying, "I'm trying to be professional. I don't really want to get into that. Don't make a story out of nothing."

More in tomorrow's News Journal.

June 29 -- VOTING UPDATE

(To read more about the Phillies' pending decision on Thursday night's starter -- Drew Carpenter or Carlos Carrasco? -- please click here or scroll down to the next post.)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Jimmy Rollins, it appears, won't start the All-Star Game.

In the final update before the All-Star voting results are released Sunday, Rollins has slipped farther behind Florida's Hanley Ramirez, the far more deserving shortstop candidate. Ramirez has widened his lead over Rollins to 254,257 votes, after leading by 154,016 votes last week. Of course, Rollins spent most of last week on the Phillies' bench, part of Charlie Manuel's plan to help him clear his mind before he raises his .211 batting average.

But while Rollins is fading (voting ends Friday), Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez continue to lead at their positions. Utley has 3,510,082 votes, well ahead of the Dodgers' Orlando Hudson (1,277,348) among second basemen and second-most to Albert Pujols (3,602,765) overall. Ibanez, meanwhile, leads outfielders with 2,970,139 votes despite being on the disabled list since June 18. He's comfortably ahead of Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (2,654,061), the Mets' Carlos Beltran (2,085,028), the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano (1,916,598) and Phillies teammate Shane Victorino (1,642,248), who needs some serious help from Hawaiian voters to climb into the top three.

Elsewhere, Ryan Howard continues to run a distant second at first base behind Pujols with 1,644,971 votes. Pedro Feliz (1,132,441) remains fourth among third basemen, where the Mets' David Wright is leading, and in proportion to his batting average, Carlos Ruiz has dropped out of the top five among catchers, a position still led by the Cardinals' Yadier Molina.

***
Also, the Phillies have promoted lefty Yohan Flande to double-A Reading. Flande, 23, was 7-1 with a 2.52 ERA at single-A Clearwater and will pitch in the Futures Game next month in St. Louis after making the considerable leap this season from the rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

June 29 -- CARRASCO OR CARPENTER?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

TORONTO -- So, here we sit, at Gate 160 in the US Airways terminal at Pearson International Airport. Having cleared customs and made it through security, there's nothing left to do but watch the sun rise, await a boarding call, and well, since I'll be traveling for most of the morning, give y'all a new blog post to start your week. Here at Philled In, we're all about customer service.

Anyway, we could rehash yesterday's game, including Brad Lidge's white-knuckle save -- hey, at least it was a save, right? -- and Charlie Manuel's postgame announcement that Jimmy Rollins will start, and bat leadoff, tomorrow night in Atlanta. (For more on that, please click here.) Instead, we're going to look ahead, three days into the future, and talk about Thursday night, when the Phillies will need a starting pitcher for the series finale against the Braves at Turner Field.

Who will it be?

A few days ago, after Antonio Bastardo strained his left shoulder during a start at Tampa Bay, we ran down a few of the many possibilities at Class AAA Lehigh Valley. But Rodrigo Lopez threw 90 pitches last night, likely taking him out of consideration, and Gustavo Chacin is listed as tonight's starter against Norfolk. That leaves Kyle Kendrick, Drew Carpenter and touted right-hander Carlos Carrasco (right, AP photo). About the only things Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee will say on the matter are a) a decision hasn't been made yet and b) call-ups often come down to which pitcher is throwing the best.

Let's take a look, then, at the candidates' recent starts:

Kendrick: 2-3, 4.56 ERA, 53.1 IP, 54 H, 15 BB, 28 K in last 10 starts
Carpenter: 6-1, 1.50 ERA, 54 IP, 51 H, 11 BB, 38 K in last 8 starts
Carrasco: 4-2, 3.67 ERA, 44.2 IP, 37 H, 14 BB, 40 K in last 7 starts

In his last three starts, Carrasco has allowed six earned runs in 19-2/3 innings and has held opponents to two runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts. Thus, it's a safe bet that the Phillies will call on either Carpenter or Carrasco. They saw Carpenter last month, in a spot start in Washington, and he wasn't overly impressive (4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K). They haven't seen Carrasco since spring training, when he was impressive at times and raw at others.

So, while I travel today, pretend you're Manuel and Dubee, enjoying your off-day in Atlanta and likely discussing what to do about Thursday. Which starter would you pick?

June 28 -- MANUEL: ROLLINS TO LEAD OFF TUESDAY

BY SCOTT LAUBER

TORONTO -- Jimmy Rollins' break is nearly over.

Following today's 5-4 win here over the Blue Jays, Charlie Manuel said Rollins will start -- and bat leadoff -- when the Phillies open a three-game series Tuesday night in Atlanta. Rollins hasn't played for the past four games as part of Manuel's plan to give the slumping shortstop a mental break.

"He's going back in the lineup, and he's going in the leadoff hole," Manuel said.

Rollins, hitless in his last 19 at-bats and 7-for-56 en route to dropping his average to .211, didn't get a pinch-hit at-bat over the past four games, and until today, he hadn't even been taking batting practice.

"I felt like it was very important to let him sit over there and get a clear mind," Manuel said. "He's fresh. He's starting over. I talked to him a whole lot yesterday. I think it helped. That's why I wanted to do it. We'll see the way that he performs and the way that he goes about playing the game. We'll see."

Eric Bruntlett was 1-for-15 in Rollins' absence.

Please check tomorrow's News Journal for more.

June 28 -- IT'S THE PITCHING, STUPID

BY SCOTT LAUBER

TORONTO -- So, I'm a child of the '80s. Ronald Reagan, heavy metal, New Coke, Michael Jackson's moonwalk -- these are indelible images from my youth. But it wasn't until the '90s that I truly became aware of what was happening in the world. I was a sophomore in high school in 1992 when Bill Clinton ran for president against George H.W. Bush, and the catchphrase he used throughout his campaign still strikes a chord today.

"It's the economy, stupid."

Well, when it comes to the Phillies' ability to sustain success, Charlie Manuel and Ruben Amaro Jr. might as well have their own catchphrase. It applied in the 10-0 rout over the Blue Jays here yesterday, and it will continue to apply whenever the Phillies finally put together a another winning streak.

"It's the pitching, stupid."

Sure, it was nice that they pounded 14 hits and scored 10 runs yesterday and that Jayson Werth belted only the 14th home run ever hit into the fifth deck at 20-year-old Skydome/Rogers Centre. But they also were facing Brad Mills, a rookie lefty whom they knocked around 10 days earlier at the Bank and who, after yesterday's game, was sent all the way back to double-A.

No, the reason to be optimistic about yesterday's victory was the sight of J.A. Happ still standing on the mound, still throwing bullets, at the Jays hitters in the ninth inning. It marked Happ's first-ever complete-game shutout (he didn't have any in 97 career minor-league starts), and it rivaled Cole Hamels' June 5 shutout at Dodger Stadium for the title of best start for the Phillies this season. Happ is now 3-0 with a 3.25 ERA as a starter this season, cementing his status as a reliable member of the rotation.

"I'm paranoid anyway, but that's something I think about a lot, earning the manager's confidence and trust and the general manager's confidence and trust," Happ said. "Games like this are a step towards that."

Now, the Phillies still have a gaping hole in their rotation thanks to Brett Myers' likely season-ending hip surgery, and as we've written in The News Journal, Amaro is racking up his cell-phone bill in the pursuit of another starter. Which pitchers are the Phillies tracking? Quite simply, all of them. They have at least some interest in Jason Marquis and Brad Penny and Aaron Harang and Erik Bedard and Brian Bannister and too many other pitchers to list, and while they'd likely make a move to acquire any of them, they also want to be certain that the guy they obtain is an upgrade over anything they have in their farm system.

So, the search will continue, probably all the way until the July 31 trade deadline. Last weekend, a scout with knowledge of the Phillies' front office told me he's certain Amaro & Co. will come up with someone, maybe even two someones, before July 31 because they know, more than anything, "it's the pitching, stupid," that wins championships.

***
Lots of baseball in your Sunday News Journal. We've got the latest on J.C. Romero's altercation with a fan in Tampa after Thursday night's game. Within the Phillies notebook, we find out if Jimmy Rollins will return to the lineup today (don't count on it, Manuel said) and speculate about which pitcher will take Antonio Bastardo's spot in the rotation Thursday night in Atlanta. And, within the Sunday MLB notes, Kyle Drabek tells us that he'd be surprised if the Phillies call him up next week. I would be, too.

***
Don't forget to follow me -- and Philled In -- on Twitter. Time to scoot downstairs to the clubhouse. More in a bit from Rogers Centre. Enjoy your Sunday.

June 27 -- ROMERO INVOLVED IN ALTERCATION WITH FAN (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

TORONTO -- Still in the process of gathering information about this, but evidently, lefty reliever J.C. Romero got into an altercation with a fan after Thursday night's game at Tropicana Field. The police reportedly were involved. The story was initially reported by the St. Petersburg Times.

Just received this statement from the Phillies:

"We are disappointed to learn about the alleged incident with a Rays fan and one of our players following Thursday night's game at Tropicana Field. We are in the process of gathering all of the details surrounding the situation. Until such information is provided, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time."

More later.

(Updated, 2:28 p.m.): According the St. Petersburg Times, Romero allegedly assaulted a Rays fan after Thursday night's game at the Trop. Robert Eaton, a Rays fan from New Port Richey, Fla., told the newspaper that Romero, who didn't pitch Thursday night, grabbed him by the neck and pushed him after Eaton said something like, "How about you get me some juice?" Romero was suspended for 50 games for taking an over-the-counter supplement that trigged a positive test for the steroid androstenedione. According to the article, Eaton has retained a lawyer.

A message from The News Journal to the St. Petersburg Police Department hasn't been returned, and Romero, obviously, won't be available for comment until after the Phillies finish playing here today.

(Updated, 4:44 p.m.): Romero issued what amounted to a no-comment about the alleged incident, although he didn't deny that something happened Thursday night. "I'm trying to be professional and I don't really want to get into that. Don’t want to make a story out of nothing," he said.

Stay tuned.

June 27 -- WAS THIS ROCK BOTTOM?; ROLLINS OUT AGAIN

BY SCOTT LAUBER

TORONTO -- So, for nearly 20 minutes after last night's game, the door to the Phillies' clubhouse here remained shut.

The time had come, at last, for a little chat.

What was said -- and by whom -- stayed behind that door. But 27 players, a staff of coaches and Charlie Manuel were present. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. even left his two daughters with a team official and joined the meeting after the Phillies fell for the 11th time in 13 games, 6-1 to the Blue Jays on a night in which they were no-hit for six innings by a rookie pitcher and their World Series MVP ace was ejected after lasting only 4-2/3.

And when it was over, and players began quietly milling about their cramped quarters, Chase Utley stood at his locker and summed up the mood.

"There are a lot of mentally tough guys on this team," he said. "This is not going to get the best of us."

Quick turnaround here today, which is probably good for the Phillies. Less time to dwell on another dreadful loss in a string of dreadful losses this month. Less time for us, too, to analyze every little aspect of that loss. That said, on The Day After, Jimmy Rollins remains on the bench. For the third straight game, Eric Bruntlett is the shortstop. Manuel, still married to the lefty-righty matchups, has righty-swinging John Mayberry Jr. (LF) and Chris Coste (DH) in the lineup instead of lefty-hitting Matt Stairs and Greg Dobbs. With another lefty on the mound for the Jays tomorrow, it figures to remain that way.

The Phillies need to score some runs today, sure. And they should, considering they're facing Brad Mills, whom they knocked around 10 days ago at the Bank. But, as always, the way out of this mess starts with starting pitching, and the Phillies desperately need a quality start (or better) from J.A. Happ.

***
The Phillies endured a nearly identical swoon last June, also against AL opponents. They went 3-9 against the Red Sox, Angels, Athletics and Rangers from June 16-29 and had their division lead cut from four games to one. A year later, they’re 2-11 against the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles and Rays, and their NL East lead has shrunk from four games on June 14 to a half-game this morning.

Last night, Shane Victorino made the point that the June woes ended on the first week of July when the Phillies ceased inter-league play and traveled to Atlanta for a three-game series. Well, guess where they're going Monday after inter-league play ends?

Yep, Atlanta.

"I don't think we're trying to mimic anything," Utley said. "I believe we have a very good team. Right now, we're definitely not playing good baseball, all-around. No one's happy in here, but definitely no one's giving up."

June 26 -- BASTARDO TO SEE TEAM DOC MONDAY

BY SCOTT LAUBER

TORONTO -- Quick update on Antonio Bastardo: He'll fly back to Philly over the weekend and see team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti on Monday to undergo tests on his strained left shoulder. Presumably, those tests will include an MRI to determine if there's structural damage to the shoulder.

The Phillies haven't officially scratched Bastardo from his next start, scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta. But if he's first seeing Ciccotti on Monday, it's doesn't seem likely he'll pitch Wednesday. Of course, with the day off Monday, the Phillies don't absolutely need a fifth starter until next Saturday (July 4). So, if Bastardo gets a clean bill of health from Ciccotti, I suppose the 23-year-old lefty could start July 4 against the Mets.

No word on whether this injury is related to the left shoulder inflammation that sidelined Bastardo for nearly two months last season at double-A Reading.

***
As expected, Jimmy Rollins isn't in the lineup again tonight. But Charlie Manuel said he hasn't decided if Rollins will start tomorrow. That decision may not come until after the game or until Manuel gets to the ballpark tomorrow.

June 26 -- OH, CANADA

BY SCOTT LAUBER

TORONTO -- When I worked at my previous paper, in what often seems like a past life, I covered the American Hockey League. So, I made numerous road trips to Canada, mostly to Hamilton and Ottawa. But in 2004, during the NHL lockout, I came to Toronto to cover two games between the AHL affiliates of the Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, and I saw firsthand what so many people had told me in advance of my visit: Toronto is a very cool town.

It's home to the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, which stands directly beside the retractable-roofed ballpark formerly known as SkyDome (now Rogers Centre). (Imagine a ballpark built alongside the Empire State Building, and you get the picture.) Former Phillies GM Pat Gillick is an icon here after building a pair of World Series champions, and for that, he's a member of the "Level of Excellence," a ring-of-fame-style feature at Rogers Centre. Toronto also boasts one of my favorite steakhouses, which happens to bear the name of the greatest hockey player of all-time. Speaking of which, Toronto is the mecca of hockey. The Hockey Hall of Fame is here. So is Maple Leaf Gardens at the corner of Carlton and Church, one of the hockey's old-time shrines and now, sadly, little more than a warehouse for a food supplier. The people here are friendly. The city is clean. It's only too bad the Phillies don't come here every year.

That brings us to the series at hand, a three-game set between the Phillies and Blue Jays, which is hardly the biggest sporting event in Canada this weekend. The NHL Draft starts today in Montreal, and everywhere you look, there's wall-to-wall coverage, not only of what the Maple Leafs will do on draft day, but also what may happen all across the NHL. But we're here to talk baseball, so here goes.

PHILLIES (37-33) at BLUE JAYS (40-35)
Tonight, 7:07: LHP Cole Hamels (4-3, 4.24) vs. LHP Ricky Romero (4-3, 3.59)
Tomorrow, 1:07: LHP J.A. Happ (4-0, 3.47) vs. LHP Brad Mills (0-0, 9.82)
Sunday, 7:07: LHP Jamie Moyer (5-6, 5.97) vs. LHP Brian Tallet (5-4, 4.36)
Hot: Phillies CF Shane Victorino is batting .362 (42-for-116) with 10 RBIs in his last 29 games; Phillies 2B Chase Utley was 4-for-12 (.300) with one home run and four RBIs in the three-game series against the Rays; Blue Jays 3B Scott Rolen has a 14-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .433 (26-for-60); Blue Jays CF Vernon Wells has an eight-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .357 (15-for-42).
Not: Phillies 3B Pedro Feliz snapped an 0-for-18 slump in the first inning Thursday night; Phillies C Carlos Ruiz is in a 4-for-39 (.103) slump; Blue Jays RF Alex Rios is hitless in his last 11 at-bats; Blue Jays LHP Brad Mills has allowed four runs in 3-2/3 innings.

June 26 -- ON BASTARDO, MENTAL MISTAKES & MORE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

TAMPA, Fla. -- Greetings from Terminal E at Tampa International. It's 5 a.m., and I'm about 45 minutes from boarding a flight to Chicago, where I'll have a short layover before my flight to Toronto. So, yeah, I'm loading up with a mocha from Starbucks and hoping it'll help me stay awake through the end of tonight's game at Rogers Centre.

Anyway, wanted to touch on a few things that transpired last night at the Trop:

1. Already reeling after Brett Myers' likely season-ending hip surgery, the Phillies' rotation received another potential blow when Antonio Bastardo left in the fourth inning with "tightness" (his word, not mine) in his left shoulder. Bastardo will be re-evaluated today in Toronto by athletic trainer Scott Sheridan, but last night, he sounded very much like a pitcher who doesn't think he'll make his next start. "I felt it before, but not as much as I did tonight," Bastardo said through a translator Raul Ibanez. "Sometimes you feel something, but not like I did tonight. I felt it much more." Obviously, as soon as we know anything more about Bastardo's situation, we'll pass it along.

2. So, what will the Phillies do if Bastardo can't make his next start? Well, thanks to a day off Monday, they won't absolutely need a No. 5 starter until July 4 against the Mets at the Bank. Ruben Amaro Jr. already has been racking up his cell phone bill in the quest to obtain more pitching, and he'll undoubtedly keep dialing his fellow GMs. But, assuming Amaro can't come up with someone by the Fourth of July, the Phillies' internal options would seem to consist of four pitchers at triple-A with major-league experience (Kyle Kendrick, Drew Carpenter, Rodrigo Lopez, Gustavo Chacin) and, perhaps, Kyle Drabek at Reading. It's not the Phillies' style to rush a top prospect, especially one who hasn't yet been to triple-A, but you have to wonder whether, if Bastardo is out for a while, they may consider throwing Drabek into the mix.

3. All of a sudden, the rotation is only one of the Phillies' problems. They've lost 10 of 12 games, dropped four consecutive series, and had their NL East lead over the Mets shaved from four games on June 14 to only a half-game this morning. Through it all, they've played sloppy and made the sort of brain-cramping mental mistakes they've generally been immune to throughout the past few seasons. Last night, for instance, Pedro Feliz seemingly forgot there was only one out and got doubled off first base on Eric Bruntlett's routine fly ball. At the same time, Matt Stairs didn't exactly sprint to the plate after tagging up at third base and was unable to score before Feliz was thrown out. "It was an error," Feliz said last night. "Mental mistake."

4. It wouldn't shock me if Charlie Manuel calls a team meeting before tonight's game. Asked last night if he thought he needed to address some of the crippling mental breakdowns the Phillies have suffered lately, Manuel sounded like Mount Vesuvius on the verge of an eruption. "If I'm going to go in and address that, there's a lot of other crap I have to address," he said. "I don't know where I go from there. It's building up. The dam bursts and you get it all [out]. ... We play like that right there, there’s a good chance we're going to lose some more. I don't think anybody in there will tell you that was a very good play. We've made some mental mistakes, mistakes that you're not supposed to make."

5. Ben Zobrist is a pretty good hitter, and his wife, Julianna, can sing. She performed the national anthem before last night's game, and it was a stirring rendition. We're told Julianna (left, AP photo) is a Christian rock singer, and in January, she released her debut CD.

6. Within today's Phillies notebook, there's more on Jimmy Rollins' benching and what Manuel hopes to achieve by giving the slumping shortstop a few days off. Also, Scott Eyre has a rehab schedule, there has been a minor change to the order of the Phillies' starting rotation, and one-time prospect and all-around good guy Scott Mathieson tossed two scoreless innings yesterday in a Gulf Coast League game, his first game action since undergoing his second "Tommy John" elbow ligament replacement surgery in May of 2008.

OK, almost time to board. Talk to y'all from Toronto.

(Updated, 1:03 p.m.): So, I've arrived in Toronto, one of my favorite cities in North America (more on that later), but I just read a comment from this morning and wanted to add to our information about Bastardo. As the anonymous commenter mentioned, Bastardo did, in fact, have shoulder problems last season. He was on the disabled list at Reading for nearly two months with left shoulder inflammation, and the injury cropped up right around this time (June 15). Once again, I hope to have more on Bastardo in a few hours after the clubhouse opens at Rogers Centre.

June 25 -- ROLLINS BENCHED (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Pressed for time today, but for those who aren't yet following Philled In on Twitter, Jimmy Rollins isn't in the Phillies' lineup today. He won't start tomorrow either, as Charlie Manuel wants to give him a mental break. Eric Bruntlett is filling in at shortstop. Rollins didn't take batting practice today, per Manuel's suggestion.

Rollins is 0-for-19, 7-for-56 and batting only .211 overall this season.

More later.

(Updated, 8:49 p.m.): Rollins didn't offer any comment on his benching, but here are some words from Manuel, who talked at length about it before batting practice: "I've been noticing now for a while that Jimmy's trying to do [too many] things instead of being relaxed. He's definitely thinking about helping our team. I think that's bothered him. I think he sees something during a game where he thinks, now is a good time to help our team, and all of a sudden, he's not getting it done and that makes it worse for him. ... I want him to sit down. I want him to kind of get away for a couple days and sit and watch and hopefully just relax."

This isn't the first time Manuel has rested Rollins as a way of getting him going. Rollins didn't start on back-to-back Sundays early in the season, and both times, the rest provided a short-term jolt. On April 19, he slugged a pinch-hit homer against the Padres, then returned to the lineup two days later and recorded two hits against the Brewers. After not starting April 26 in Florida, he notched a three-hit game the following night against the Nationals.

And while there's no way of knowing how Rollins will respond to the most recent benching, one thing is almost certain: When he returns to the lineup, Manuel said he'll most likely be in his familiar leadoff spot. "He's our leadoff hitter," Manuel said. "To me, we've got to get Jimmy right. That's the whole purpose of sitting him. I don"t see moving him around in the lineup helping him one bit at all, if you want to know the truth. I don't understand that. I don't see it. I've been around him for about five years, and he's our leadoff hitter. For us to get our offense going, the big thing is trying to get him going."

June 25 -- DRABEK, FLANDE TO PITCH IN FUTURES GAME

(To read about Jimmy Rollins struggles, please click here or check the post below.)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. PETERSBURG -- Not to distract from the previous post, but wanted to pass along an announcement from MLB: Phillies pitching prospects Kyle Drabek and Yohan Flande will participate in the annual Futures Game on July 12 in St. Louis.

For Drabek, 21, it's a just reward for a terrific first half of the season after missing most of last year while recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery. He has emerged as the Phillies' top pitching prospect, going 7-1 with a 2.36 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) between Class A Clearwater and Class AA Reading. Drabek has struck out 91 batters in 87-2/3 innings. Typically, the Phillies are careful about moving their prospects too fast too soon, but it's possible, if he continues to pitch well, that Drabek could be called up before the end of the season. Otherwise, he'll be a candidate to make the team next year during spring training.

Flande, 23, is still a relative unknown to most fans. After three seasons in the Dominican Summer League and one in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League, Flande has made the considerable leap to advanced Class A Clearwater and gone 7-1 with a 2.52 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 82 innings over 13 starts.

More in a bit from the Phillies' clubhouse here at the Trop.

June 25 -- WHAT TO DO ABOUT J-ROLL?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, Jimmy Rollins went 0-for-4 again last night, leaving him hitless in his last five games (0-for-19), 7-for-56 since a three-hit game June 9 at Citi Field in New York, and batting .211 for the season.

That isn't good.

But the most costly mistake Rollins made was, uncharacteristically, a mental miscue on defense. With two outs in the eighth inning, and the Rays leading 2-1, Pat Burrell hit a slow roller to Rollins. Now, we all know how slow-footed Burrell is, and even if we didn't, you don't have to be a two-time Gold Glove shortstop to know that, with two outs, the easiest play is always to first base. But instead of merely tossing the ball to first, Rollins tried to tag second base, where speedy Carl Crawford slid in safely. It allowed a run to score and opened the door to a five-run Rays rally that put the game out of reach.

"Usually, I just pick up and go to first automatically, because the ball is hit soft toward the middle and I'm over on the pull side," Rollins said. "I don't know why I went to second. I don't know. It's an automatic play to go to first."

It was a rare lapse for Rollins, who has emerged as the best defensive shortstop in the NL. But, with Rollins in the most protracted slump of his career, it makes you wonder whether his offense is starting to affect his defense. It also makes you wonder if Charlie Manuel finally must do something different with the Phillies' lineup.

Now, I'll preface what I'm about to suggest by saying this: I believe the Phillies' lineup is designed to have Jimmy Rollins at the top, and if Rollins doesn't snap out of his funk, the offense simply will not be as productive. Also, I tend to agree with Manuel that Rollins, even when he isn't going well, is the Phillies' best option to bat leadoff. But while Shane Victorino is still hot, and while the Phillies are still playing inter-league games in American League ballparks, I'd consider putting Victorino in the leadoff spot and batting Rollins ninth. Perhaps the change will be the jumpstart he needs to finally begin hitting with some consistency.

OK, let's hear from you. What would you do about J-Roll?

***
As I noted in the game story in today's News Journal, Jayson Werth leads all NL hitters -- and ranks second in the majors -- with 4.42 pitches per plate appearance and has seen more pitches (1,303) than any NL player. He rarely swings at a first pitch, even when it's a meaty fastball down the middle.

Patience is Werth's calling card.

So, it was a head-scratcher in the fourth inning last night when Werth swung at a first-pitch fastball from Matt Garza, who had just walked the bases loaded without recording an out. Werth hit a grounder to Evan Longoria, who threw home to start a rally-killing double play. Now, ordinarily, that wouldn't be considered smart baseball, but Manuel wants Werth to be more aggressive early in the count. All the time, he tells Werth to swing at a first pitch if it's in the area of the strike zone where he wants it, and in this situation, Werth got the inside fastball that he was anticipating. Problem was, he hit it in the wrong spot.

"I have no problem with him swinging at a fastball there," Manuel said. "I'd like to see him swing at more first-pitch fastballs, if you want to know the truth. I'm sure he wasn't trying to hit a ground ball to third. There and back to the pitcher were probably the worst places he could hit it."

***
Dining guide: Three days in Clearwater have given me a chance to hit up a few of my favorite spring-training spots, like this one, and this one. Unfortunately, the famous Frenchy's Cafe is closed this week for summer cleaning, but if you like seafood, check out this place the next time you're in St. Petersburg. Highly recommend the shrimp alfredo pasta.

June 24 -- LIDGE TO BE ACTIVATED TOMORROW

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Those of you who follow Philled In on Twitter already know this, but for those who don't (what are you waiting for?), Brad Lidge will be activated from the disabled list before tomorrow night's series finale here against the Rays.

Why not tonight?

"I think, for him, it's just a good idea just to give him another day of down time to be sure that nothing comes up tomorrow," Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "But we feel pretty confident that he'll be ready to go."

After consulting with athletic trainer Scott Sheridan, Amaro and Charlie Manuel said there won't be any unusual restrictions placed on Lidge. So, if the Phillies have a save situation on back-to-back nights, Lidge will be able to pitch the ninth inning.

***
In other injury news, Scott Eyre threw from the bullpen mound for the first time since straining his left calf June 11 at Citi Field. He threw 26 pitches and reported no pain. Eyre is eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday, but it's unlikely he'll be ready until sometime next week.

***
Ryan Howard is DH'ing again tonight. Greg Dobbs will play first base and Matt Stairs will be the left fielder against Rays right-hander Matt Garza.

June 24 -- DONALD DUCKS TRADE RUMORS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- One of the best things about being in the Tampa area this week is that we're close to the Phillies' training facility in Clearwater. In fact, my hotel (also known as the traveling headquarters of Philled In) is about 2 miles from Bright House Field and the Carpenter Complex. So, I went over there this morning to see what's what, and sure enough, ran into a few familiar faces, namely Jason Donald and Scott Mathieson.

Donald has been here for about a week, rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Chatted with him for a few minutes, and while I want to save some of this for the pages of The News Journal, I'll pass this along: Donald isn't sweating being the subject of trade rumors. In fact, he claims to be oblivious to the trade talk.

"I don't even pay attention to it," Donald said, laughing. "I really don't. If it's something that happens, it happens. Certainly, I want to be part of this organization, but I understand that there's a business side of it. The big club is going to do what they can to better themselves."

Surely, though, he must've heard about the Brad Penny rumor that circulated a few weeks ago.

"There were a couple people that mentioned it," Donald said. "It is what it is. It's a rumor. I never put much to it. I don't go on the Internet and look at that stuff. I don't read the papers. The only paper I read is USA Today. No offense."

(Hey, none taken. USA Today and The News Journal are owned by the same company.)

Mathieson, you'll recall, is the hard-luck pitcher who has undergone two Tommy John elbow surgeries in the past three years. He has been here, going through the long rehab process, for about 13 months, and tomorrow, he's scheduled to make his 2009 debut by pitching two innings of relief in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

More in a bit from the Trop.

June 23 -- LIDGE THROWS SCORELESS INNING (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Meanwhile, about 20 miles away in Tampa ...

... Brad Lidge just completed a scoreless eighth inning for Class A Clearwater against the Yankees' Florida State League club at Steinbrenner Field. He allowed a one-out walk to Kevin Smith but got Matthew Cusick to pop out and Luis Nunez to ground out, ending the inning.

More in a bit, hopefully with information on how Lidge's right knee felt.

(Updated, 10:35 p.m.): According to Ruben Amaro Jr., Lidge threw 12 pitches (8 fastballs, 4 sliders). Pro scout Del Unser watched Lidge and gave Amaro a positive report. "He did pretty well, and I think he was pretty pleased with his outing," Amaro said. "We'll reconvene tomorrow morning to decide if he'll go out there for another stint or not."

June 23 -- MORE ON HOWARD, CONDREY/LIDGE, IBANEZ

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Lots going on here today, so let's get right to it:

1. As we Twittered a few hours ago, Ryan Howard has rejoined the Phillies and will be in the lineup tonight. Initially, he was slated to play first base, but Charlie Manuel opted to use him as the designated hitter and put Chris Coste at first. Howard said his commercial flight arrived at about 12:30 p.m. (about two hours after mine). He said doctors put him at ease Saturday when they said he didn't have the flu (or swine flu). Instead, he was diagnosed with acute sinusitis. He's still taking antibiotics, but he says he's feeling about 75 percent better than he was over the weekend, when he felt pretty awful. Howard said he has felt that sick only two other times: In spring training 2006, when he had the flu, and in May 2006, when he was stricken with food poisoning in Cincinnati.

2. Clay Condrey said his oblique strain began two weeks ago as lower back pain. It didn't bother him as much last Tuesday night against the Blue Jays as it did two days later. He didn't pitch at all last weekend, and the Phillies figured it was best to put him on the disabled list to avoid the chance that he could make it worse.

3. More and more, it's sounding like Brad Lidge will be activated tomorrow if everything goes well in his eighth-inning appearance tonight for Class A Clearwater. "I think the quickest we can get Lidge back and get him on the mound rolling, that's what I want us to do," Manuel said. "Lidge has got talent. He has a good slider, he has a tremendous fastball, and he's got talent enough to strike you out. The fact of who he is and everything and how we're going to use him, he plays a very critical part in our bullpen. Do we want the Lidge of last year? Of course. But at the same time, I've never looked for Lidge to be perfect like he was. Somewhere along the line, someone's going to score a run off him. When Lidge comes back, I just want him to pitch good and be healthy, and I think his talent will take care of itself."

4. Caught up with Raul Ibanez for a few minutes. In addition to taking early batting practice (he'll take BP with the rest of the team, too), Ibanez did some jogging to test his strained groin. The result: "It's gotten way better," he said. "It's definitely way better than it was [Sunday]. I couldn't do anything I did today." Ibanez doesn't have a rehab schedule yet, but he said he's still optimistic that he'll be able to return from the disabled list on (or close to) July 3.

5. Tonight's lineup against Rays LHP David Price:
SS Jimmy Rollins (.217/6/27)
CF Shane Victorino (.304/5/32)
2B Chase Utley (.297/15/45)
DH Ryan Howard (.257/20/54)
RF Jayson Werth (.256/12/38)
3B Pedro Feliz (.294/3/35)
LF John Mayberry Jr. (.300/2/4)
1B Chris Coste (.244/2/7)
C Carlos Ruiz (.260/3/13)

Consider yourself caught up. Check back later for an update on Lidge's outing.

June 23 -- IS "THE PEN" CURSED?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- If you're following Philled In on Twitter, you already know this, but Clay Condrey officially has been placed on the disabled list with a left oblique strain. And if you're counting, that's three Phillies relievers who have gone on the DL (Brad Lidge and Scott Eyre are the others) during the same month that "The Pen," a reality TV show about the Phillies' bullpen, premiered on MLB Network.

So, I ask this: Is "The Pen" cursed?

Your thoughts?

***
Condrey will be replaced by left-hander Sergio Escalona, who is back from the minors again.

***
Lidge, meanwhile, is scheduled to pitch the eighth inning tonight for Class A Clearwater at nearby Tampa. If all goes well, Lidge is going to lobby to be activated from the disabled list tomorrow. It's possible, perhaps even likely, though, that the Phillies will want him to make one more minor-league appearance here Thursday before being activated for the weekend series at Toronto.

***
Raul Ibanez is here, and he took batting practice a few minutes ago. No sign of Ryan Howard yet, though. In about 10 minutes, when the Phillies' clubhouse opens to the media, we'll get an update on Ibanez's strained left groin and Howard's travel plans.

Stay tuned to Philled In and Twitter for updates throughout the afternoon.

June 23 -- AMARO IS MAKING HIS PITCH

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, before last Saturday night's game, I was talking to a National League scout who has some knowledge of the Phillies' front office. The scout said he's pretty certain the Phils will acquire "at least one, maybe two" pitchers before the July 31 trade deadline.

Ruben Amaro Jr. isn't as sure.

Not yet, at least.

I talked to Amaro on the phone yesterday, and while he said that upgrading the starting rotation remains his "main focus," he said he doesn't yet have any willing trade partners. The problem, evidently, is two-fold: a) Some of the pitchers who ordinarily would be on the market (Jake Peavy, Erik Bedard, etc.) are injured; b) Some of the teams that were expected to be trade-deadline sellers (Rockies, Reds, etc.) haven't completely dropped out of contention.

"No one's out there dealing anybody or wanting to part with anybody because the pitchers who are available are, one, hurt, and two, pitching for teams that don't think they're out of the race yet," Amaro told Philled In. "I know because I've asked about every one of them."

But July 31 is still more than a month away, so I asked Amaro if he anticipates the numbers of sellers will increase over the next 5-1/2 weeks. Usually, that's how it happens, he said, although he's not counting on it. He's also not banking on being able to find a starting pitcher who is appreciably better than either of the two rookie left-handers presently in the Phillies' rotation.

"Depending on what's going to be available," Amaro said, "[J.A.] Happ and [Antonio]Bastardo may be better solutions for us based on quality."

In the Sunday MLB notes in The News Journal, I suggested that Jason Marquis may be a nice solution for the Phillies. Marquis is 9-4 with a 3.71 ERA and making a strong case for his first career All-Star Game selection. He's gone at least seven innings in nine of his 14 starts. And he's a free agent after the season, so if the resurgent Rockies decide they aren't wild-card contenders, they'll be more likely to deal Marquis.

Brad Penny, who appeared to be a possibility a few weeks ago, looks like he'll be staying with the Red Sox, especially while Daisuke Matsuzaka is on the disabled list. And while the Reds may eventually deal either Aaron Harang or Bronson Arroyo, they haven't entirely fallen out of the playoff race, either. Bedard remains an option, and the Phillies will undoubtedly dispatch scouts to some of his starts after he comes off the disabled list early next month. And if the Indians decide they want to trade Cliff Lee (doubtful, I think), the Phillies would almost certainly be interested.

So, pretend you're Amaro. Do any of those options appeal to you? If so, what would you give up to get them?

***
Sounds like Clay Condrey may be placed on the disabled list before tonight's game. Charlie Manuel said last week that Condrey has had a bad back, and the right-hander has been icing his midsection after games. He also has made only two appearances since June 13 and allowed six runs in one-third of an inning, hiking his ERA from 2.14 to 3.71.

***
The Phillies held their 20th annual festival to fight ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) last night at the Bank and raised a record $867,670, surpassing last year's total by more than $100,000. Since 1984, the Phils have raised more than $11 million for ALS research. A live auction raised $107,600, breaking the previous high of $79,175 set in 1995, and the silent auction raised a record $42,065, surpassing the previous mark of $41,366 in 2007. A set of two baseballs signed by the 1980 and 2008 Phillies received the top bid in the live auction ($8,000), and Ryan Madson's game-used 2008 World Series jersey fetched $6,750. In the silent auction, Ryan Howard's exhibition-game-worn St. Patrick's Day jersey received the top bid of $1,600. Chase Utley's 2009 home-opener jersey went for $1,100.

***
I have to hop a flight to Tampa in a few hours, but while I'm en route, check out this interesting story in the St. Pete Times. Evidently, some of the Rays -- even Pat Burrell -- are still wondering what could've been last October.

June 22 -- J-ROLL SLIPS BEHIND HAN-RAM

(For the latest update on Ryan Howard's condition, please check the previous post.)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

If it's Monday, it's time for your weekly NL All-Star balloting update, courtesy of MLB. The headline here, of course, is the close vote at shortstop, where Florida's Hanley Ramirez has shot by Jimmy Rollins. Ramirez, who was second to J-Roll for the past two weeks, has a 154,016-vote lead. Chase Utley still leads at second base, although he has dropped behind Albert Pujols for the overall vote lead, and Raul Ibanez still leads among outfielders, even though he went on the disabled list last week.

Here's a look at the position-by-position vote leaders:

First base: Pujols (2,934,794); Ryan Howard (1,393,546); Prince Fielder (1,155,529).
Second base: Utley (2,922,796); Orlando Hudson (1,082,248); Rickie Weeks (832,870).
Third base: David Wright (1,698,366); Ryan Zimmerman (1,148,054); Chipper Jones (1,104,485); Pedro Feliz (954,945).
Shortstop: Ramirez (1,648,482); Rollins (1,494,466); J.J. Hardy (1,051,309).
Catcher: Yadier Molina (1,496,285); Brian McCann (1,180,312); Ivan Rodriguez (1,002,882); Jason Kendall (995,633); Carlos Ruiz (980,164).
Outfield: Ibanez (2,465,539); Ryan Braun (2,178,144); Carlos Beltran (1,779,344); Alfonso Soriano (1,639,664); Shane Victorino (1,371,362); Manny Ramirez (1,162,507); Mike Cameron (1,140,167); Rick Ankiel (1,011,527); Jayson Werth (1,008,256).

June 22 -- HOWARD HAS SINUSITIS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Just got off the phone with Ruben Amaro Jr., and here's the latest on Ryan Howard, straight from the GM:

As expected, earlier this morning, Howard saw team physician Dr. Marc Harwood, who confirmed the diagnosis of "acute sinusitis." Howard is being treated with antibiotics. and his fever is gone, Amaro said. He isn't scheduled to fly on the team charter tonight to Tampa Bay, but instead will fly tomorrow morning (perhaps he'll even be on my US Airways flight). It's possible, Amaro said, that Howard could be in the lineup tomorrow night against the Rays, although a determination won't be made until he arrives at the Trop and evaluates how he's feeling.

Regardless, it's good news for the Phillies, who desperately need Howard back in the lineup. They batted only .184 (18-for-98) and scored eight runs in the three-game series against the Orioles. Raul Ibanez (strained groin) missed the entire series, while Howard got only one at-bat -- and hit a pinch-hit three-run homer -- in the final two games. Subtract that home run and the Phillies scored three runs in the last two games against Baltimore.

June 21 -- VICTORINO: "WE'LL BE FINE"

"We'll be fine. We're defending champs, and we're not defending champs for no reason.

At the end of the day, I'm walking out of this place,

and we're still in first place. That's how you've got to look at it."
-Shane Victorino

BY SCOTT LAUBER

What you witnessed earlier today was the Phillies' season-high sixth straight loss, 2-1 to the Orioles, and the capper of a 1-8 homestand that was their worst since a 1-9 stretch from Aug. 9-19, 2004. In the three games against bottom-feeding Baltimore, the Phils batted .184 (18-for-98) and scored eight runs. Overall on the homestand, they batted .248 (80-for-323), posted a 5.96 team ERA and were outscored, 57-38.

So, are you worried?

Shane Victorino isn't.

Standing in front of his locker in a nearly empty clubhouse 90 minutes after today's game, Victorino sounded a confident tone that the Phillies will, sooner than later, break free from this funk. Like Greg Dobbs and Cole Hamels before him, he said he takes solace in still being in first place in the NL East (thanks, Mets!) and believes the Phillies will be able to handle their first significant adversity of the season.

"Times like this, we went through it last year," Victorino said. "The year before, we went through stuff like this. Right now, of course, we're the defending champs, so everyone's going to say, 'What's going on? What's happening here?' But you know what, at the end of the day, where are we? We're about to get [Brad] Lidge back. We're about to get our guys back. We already got J.C. [Romero] back. That's how you've got to look at it. Yeah, we're frustrated. I am. I'm mad every night that we lose. The last few nights, it hasn't been physical mistakes. It's been mental mistakes. That's when you kick yourself in the ass. Everybody needs a mental check. We'll be fine. We're defending champs. We're not defending champs for no reason. At the end of the day, I'm walking out of this place, and we're in first place."

So, that's the glass-is-half-full viewpoint, and clearly, there's merit to what the Flyin' Hawaiian said. If all goes well Tuesday night in his outing for Class A Clearwater, Lidge could return by Wednesday, meaning Ryan Madson goes back to pitching the eighth inning, Romero to the seventh, and so on. There's a chance Scott Eyre could be back by the end of the upcoming road trip, bringing even more stability to the bullpen. Ryan Howard won't be sick forever, and the Phils are optimistic Raul Ibanez's groin strain will be healed by early July.

But there's still reason for concern, especially when you break down the Phillies' 36-31 record like this:

--26-29 against teams other than the woeful Nationals, and they don't play Washington again until September.

--1-22 when they score three runs or less (bonus points for anyone who can pinpoint the one win), which indicates the offense and pitching have rarely been in sync.

--and, of course, 13-22 at the Bank, the third-worst home record in the NL behind only Arizona (14-23) and aforementioned Washington (12-23).

Everyone knows the Phillies need to bolster their starting rotation (more on that tomorrow). But, after the past nine games, what's your level of confidence that they'll be able to win the NL East and return to the World Series with the rest of the team constituted as it is right now?

June 21 -- HOWARD HOSPITALIZED (AGAIN); LIDGE UPDATE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

If you're following Philled In on Twitter, you already know a lot of this. If not, a couple of notes before today's Phillies-Orioles series finale:

1. Ryan Howard was re-admitted to the hospital after last night's game. According to a team spokesman, he has been released, but it's unclear if he will be in uniform today. The Phillies' clubhouse closed to the media about give minutes ago (12:35 p.m.), and there still was no sign of the big first baseman. Howard checked into the hospital at 3:30 a.m. Saturday with flu-like symptoms and a fever of 103.9. He checked out at about 10:30 a.m., came to the ballpark, and although he wasn't in the starting lineup, he belted a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Phillies a 5-3 lead in their 6-5 loss. As I wrote in today's News Journal, Howard had done something like this before. On May 14, 2006, he spent a night in a Cincinnati hospital with food poisoning, then came off the bench to hit two home runs, including the game-winner in the 12th inning, against the Reds.

2. Talked to Brad Lidge for a few minutes this morning. He'll fly to Tampa with the Phillies and pitch Tuesday night for Class A Clearwater at Tampa. If that goes well, it's possible he'll be activated Wednesday or Thursday. It's also possible Lidge could make one more rehab start for Clearwater on Thursday before being activated before Friday night's series-opener in Toronto. Lidge said he felt absolutely no pain in his right knee during last night's appearance at Class AA Reading. The guess here is, barring any setbacks Tuesday, he'll be activated before the Phillies leave Tampa. He's eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday.

3. In the Sunday MLB Notes in today's News Journal, I wrote about what the Phillies miss most by not having Brett Myers: They miss his ability to log innings. We'll discuss this in greater detail in a later post, but clearly, the Phillies need what Charlie Manuel calls "a horse," a pitcher who can throw at least seven innings per start and give the bullpen a break. Jason Marquis likely will be available, and in today's Boston Globe, baseball writer Nick Cafardo mentions that the Reds are dangling Bronson Arroyo, who is 8-5 with a 5.16 ERA but has averaged 6.36 innings in his 14 starts. Arroyo is making $9.5 million this year and will make $11 million in 2010. He has an $11 million club option (or a $2 million buyout) for 2011. So, what do you think? Does Arroyo appeal to you?

Today's lineup vs. Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie (4-7, 5.42):
SS Jimmy Rollins (.220/6/27)
CF Shane Victorino (.300/5/32)
2B Chase Utley (.300/15/45)
LF Matt Stairs (.279/3/11)
RF Jayson Werth (.260/12/38)
1B Greg Dobbs (.210/3/8)
3B Pedro Feliz (.297/3/35)
C Carlos Ruiz (.267/3/13)
LHP Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.48)

June 20 -- MADSON ON CLOSING

BY SCOTT LAUBER

In late April, when Brad Lidge was shut down for five days after getting his first cortisone injection in his balky right knee, I asked Ryan Madson if there's a discernible difference between pitching the eighth inning with a one-run lead and pitching the ninth. After all, we know there are many times when a setup guy mows down the middle of a lineup in a save situation, and the closer gets the easy task of facing the bottom of a lineup. Anyway, here's what Madson said:

"There's definitely a difference in pitching the ninth inning. Like Billy Wagner used to say, if I don't have it that night, there's no cavalry behind me. You're kind of the last-man standing. It's an overall sense of finality. It's a mentality that you have to get used to, and I think I can do that."

So, tonight, after allowing Gregg Zaun's solo homer and the game-winning, two-run shot by Brian Roberts (on a two-out, two-strike fastball) in a deflating 6-5 loss, Madson stood in front of his locker and refused to blame the defeat on his having to get accustomed to the closer role. And while that's noble (none of Madson's teammates wanted to hear excuses after a loss like this), it's reasonable to believe that Madson, as a fill-in novice closer, is in a tough spot.

By all accounts, Madson's problem tonight was pitch location. The pitch to Roberts, in particular, was up and over the plate, and it was hit hard. Pitch selection may have been an issue, too. Madson threw 22 pitches tonight, 19 fastballs. He threw only two of his signature changeups, both to Roberts. But based on our previous conversations about closing, I asked Madson if he makes a pitch differently when he's in trouble in the ninth inning. Knowing there's no safety net if he allows a run in the ninth, is he more careful (too careful?) when he gets in trouble?

"No," Madson said. "You just try to stay aggressive. I thought I did a good job throwing first-pitch strikes and getting ahead of the guys. I just couldn't put them away tonight."

In case you're wondering, Madson will be back on the mound tomorrow if the Phillies have the lead in the ninth.

"Madson's our closer," Charlie Manuel said.

June 20 -- LIDGE UPDATE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Brad Lidge just completed a scoreless first inning for Class AA Reading against Harrisburg.

After allowing a leadoff double to Ian Desmond, Lidge struck out Edgardo Baez. Desmond stole third before and was thrown out at home on a grounder to third base by Joel Guzman. Lidge ended his inning by striking out Matthew Whitney.

No information yet on how Lidge's knee responded. Hoping to have an opportunity to talk to Lidge after the Phillies play tonight.

(Updated, 8:06 p.m.): We're told that Lidge threw 15 pitches (11 strikes). According to assistant GM Benny Looper, who watched the outing, Lidge "felt very comfortable" on the mound. No word yet on if/when Lidge will make another minor-league appearance. He's eligible to be activated from the disabled list before Tuesday night's game at Tampa Bay.

June 20 -- HOWARD SICK

BY SCOTT LAUBER

At 342 games, Ryan Howard has the longest active consecutive games streak in the majors. So, when he wasn't listed in the starting lineup here today, against Orioles rookie right-hander Brad Bergesen, something was clearly amiss.

"Hi, guys. Bye, guys," Howard said as a few reporters approached his locker.

Charlie Manuel offered an explanation. According to Manuel, Howard came down with the flu after last night's game, and things got so bad that he even checked into the hospital with 104-degree fever. (Update: The Phillies said Howard checked into the hospital at 3:30 a.m., checked out at about 10:30 a.m., and had a fever of 103.9.) Thus, Howard's consecutive-game streak may come to an end tonight. The last time he didn't play in a game was May 24, 2007, at Florida, his final game on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quadriceps.

Without Howard in the lineup, Manuel had to get creative. So, here's what he came up with for tonight's game vs. the O's:

SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Shane Victorino
2B Chase Utley
LF Matt Stairs
RF Jayson Werth
1B Greg Dobbs
3B Pedro Feliz
C Paul Bako
LHP J.A. Happ

***
A few other things:

--Even Manuel is banged up. He has a brace on his left wrist, the result of having his wrist jammed a few days ago when a player bumped into him in the dugout.

--Scott Eyre just told me he's planning to travel with the Phillies on next week's road trip, although he said he hasn't been given a rehab schedule for his strained left calf. He has long-tossed four times and said his calf is feeling "much better."

--Brad Lidge is still on schedule to pitch one inning tonight at Class AA Reading.

More later.

June 19 -- LIDGE TO PITCH SATURDAY; NO SURPRISES FOR IBANEZ

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Just a few quick notes to pass along from Martin Frank, our man at the ballpark tonight:

1. Brad Lidge (left) will make a rehab appearance tomorrow at Class AA Reading. If that goes well, and he has no problems with his right knee, he could make another appearance early next week for Class A Clearwater before rejoining the Phillies in nearby Tampa Bay. Lidge is eligible to be activated from the disabled list before Tuesday night's game against the Rays at the Trop.

2. An MRI exam on Raul Ibanez's strained left groin showed nothing inconsistent with the original diagnosis, which would seem to be a good sign. If the injury is simply a strain (not a tear), Ibanez can begin his rehabilitation. His return remains contingent upon how his groin responds to treatment, but at least the MRI didn't reveal any surprises.

June 19 -- MAYBERRY'S GREAT ADVENTURE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Well, that was an eventful return for John Mayberry Jr., wasn't it?

Mayberry, the slugging outfielder, was recalled from Lehigh Valley yesterday to fill injured Raul Ibanez's spot, and Charlie Manuel put him to work right away, giving him the start in right field. At times, Mayberry looked good (he hit a solo homer in the fifth inning and threw out Vernon Wells at the plate in the eighth). And, at times, he looked bad (he took an extra step in his spin after picking up Scott Rolen's seventh-inning single, allowing Rolen to take an extra base, and popped out to second the game).

Overall, though, it's going to be fascinating to watch Mayberry over these next two weeks and maybe longer, depending on the results of Ibanez's MRI exam (we should get some information on that later today). Mayberry will get a chance to play, and the Phillies should have a better idea of his major-league readiness. He's 4-for-14 (.286) with two homers in the majors. In 52 games at Lehigh Valley, he was batting .257 with eight homers and 41 RBIs.

"You definitely realize the opportunity in front of you, but at the same time, I don't think you're going to do yourself any good by putting added pressure on yourself," Mayberry said. "So you just try to stay within yourself, keep the same approach that you did all year, and hopefully the results will be there."

***
Here's an often-overlooked aspect of the Phillies' 2008 championship season: After May, only one everyday position player (Pedro Feliz) and one pivotal relief pitcher (Tom Gordon) spent time on the disabled list. It was a remarkable run of good health (and good fortune) that allowed them to win the NL East.

A year later, it's mid-June and Brett Myers (hip), Brad Lidge (knee), Scott Eyre (calf) and Raul Ibanez (groin) on the DL.

June 18 -- BREAKING NEWS: IBANEZ TO DL (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Well, we have our answer about Raul Ibanez.

The official announcement came about 30 minutes ago. Ibanez, quite clearly hobbling as he ran last night, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with what the Phillies are calling a "strained left groin." John Mayberry Jr. has been recalled from Class AAA Lehigh Valley and is in the lineup today in right field. (Jayson Werth moves to left.)

As y'all know, Ibanez has been bothered by a sore left Achilles', the result of an uncomfortable pair of new spikes. He didn't play Sunday but said the problem was "no big deal." Last night, though, Ibanez was noticeably hobbling to first base after hitting a double-play grounder in the fourth inning.

More on Ibanez in a little bit.

(Updated, 11:06 a.m.): From Ruben Amaro Jr.: The groin strain is unrelated to the Achilles' problem and has been bothering Ibanez on and off since April, although he only made the Phillies aware of the injury last week. Ibanez will undergo an MRI exam later today, and it's possible, Amaro said, that he could miss more than 15 days.

"There was no reason for him to talk me out of [putting him on the disabled list]," Amaro said. "If he was clearly hurting, he can hurt himself even more if he continued to play."

June 18 -- IS IBANEZ HURT?; PARK STILL UPSET

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Tough week for Raul Ibanez.

The Delaware Valley's favorite left fielder blasted a game-winning, three-run homer in the 10th inning last Thursday night at Citi Field. Since then, he is 3-for-17, including an 0-for-3 performance in last night's 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays. Making matters worse, he's been bothered by a sore left Achilles' that was caused by, of all things, an uncomfortable pair of new spikes. After sitting out Sunday, Ibanez downplayed the problem, claiming it wasn't a big deal. But if you saw him hobble to first base on a fourth-inning double-play grounder last night, you could tell it's a concern.

Ibanez was unavailable for comment after the game (I'm guessing he was getting treatment from athletic trainer Scott Sheridan). We'll try to get y'all an update today.

***
This isn't exactly news, but to me, it's newsworthy: Chan Ho Park still prefers to be a starting pitcher.

That's significant because Park is emerging as a valuable part of the Phillies' bullpen. As the season gets longer, as the innings pile up, as the arms grow more weary, it's Park, trained as a starter, who can help ease the burden on the Clay Condreys and the Chad Durbins. But Park's heart remains in the starting rotation, any starting rotation.

"The No. 1 thing for me," he said yesterday, "is I want to be a starter."

Before last night's game, Charlie Manuel reiterated something he has said often over the past month since J.A. Happ replaced Park in the rotation. He said he believes Park's stuff plays up better for two or three innings at a time, and the stats back that claim. In seven starts, Park had a 7.59 ERA. In eight relief appearances, his ERA is 3.21.

"Sooner or later, a guy's got to accept where he belongs, or what the team wants him for," Manuel said. "To me, Chan Ho Park's stuff plays up big [as a reliever]. I listen to what he says. He's saying things about staying focused more. His arm's better at two innings than it is at five or six."

When I asked Park if he concurs with that assessment, he said, "No, I don't agree. I think I can start. A bad month or a bad week or a bad game happens to everybody. But they saw last year how I helped the Dodgers so much in being a reliever. Starting is much easier for me, but I've got to do whatever to help the team. Maybe, in a way, it'll get me back to where I want."

If it helps the Phillies win, nobody will care about his motivation.

***
Infield prospect Anthony Hewitt, the Phils' 2008 first-round draft pick, has been assigned to short-season Williamsport of the New York-Penn League, which opens its season tomorrow night. Should be interesting to track Hewitt's progress. He has seemingly boundless athletic ability, but after signing with the Phillies last summer, he batted only .197 with 55 strikeouts in only 117 at-bats in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

***
Stat of the week: Phillies relievers have thrown 248 pitches -- 248 pitches! -- in the last seven games.