July 4 -- RELYING ON RODRIGO?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Over the past few weeks, Ruben Amaro Jr. has expressed doubt about whether the Phillies will be able to deal for a starting pitcher before the July 31 trade deadline. And that's reasonable. I mean, the market isn't exactly flooded with sellers. So many teams are contending for a playoff spot (or have tricked themselves into believing they're contending) that the buyers greatly outnumber the sellers.

Still, every scout I've spoken to over the past few weeks is convinced the Phillies will come up with someone. Two weeks ago, in fact, a National League scout with knowledge of the Phillies' front office told me they may even get two pitchers. So, Rodrigo Lopez's performance last night, while it was a nice story of triumph after a long comeback from Tommy John elbow surgery, may be long forgotten by the time the season is over.

Then, again ...

Within the game story in today's News Journal, Martin Frank wondered if Lopez could be the 2009 version of Kyle Kendrick, circa 2007. Nobody thought Kendrick would be around for more than a few starts, but he pitched well enough to stay in the rotation, even after the Phillies dealt for Kyle Lohse at the trade deadline. Kendrick was so good that he's widely credited with saving the Phillies' season. And with Jimmy Rollins looking more like his MVP self, there was a decidely 2007 feel last night at the Bank.

Lopez pitched very well for 6-1/3 innings, even if it was against a Mets lineup that, minus Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes, wasn't much better than any he saw in Class AAA. But, considering he hadn't started a major-league game since July 26, 2007, and might've asked for his release and returned to Mexico last month if he hadn't been talked out of it by Lehigh Valley pitching coach Rod Nichols, Lopez gave the Phillies far more than they could've expected.

He'll get another chance Wednesday against the Reds. Beyond that, who knows? Maybe, like Kendrick in '07, he'll stick around longer than anyone could imagine. Or, maybe, Amaro will make a deal that will turn Lopez's performance last night into a footnote from a long season.

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Within the notebook, the latest on Raul Ibanez, who took batting practice, shagged fly balls and saw team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti yesterday.

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Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, have a great Fourth of July.