July 7 -- HAMELS, HALLADAY & HISTORY

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Before we get to last night's historic performance, a few notes:

1. After allowing seven runs on nine hits in only 4-2/3 innings last Wednesday night in Atlanta, Cole Hamels talked to us for nearly 10 minutes about why he'd been struggling since his complete-game shutout June 4 at Dodger Stadium. The conversation provided little insight, mostly head-scratching, but Hamels said he would search for answers by watching video. Turns out, a video session revealed a slight mechanical flaw in which Hamels was "leaking," pulling off before he released the ball. He concluded he was giving hitters a longer, better look at the pitch he was about to throw. He worked to correct the problem during his between-starts bullpen session last weekend, asking catcher Mick Billmeyer to set up farther behind the plate than usual. The idea: Hamels wanted to "throw through the target," extend his follow-through and his delivery and work out the problems. But, given a 10-run lead last night, he was able to make in-game adjustments, too. And after Johnny Gomes' opposite-field leadoff homer in the second inning, Hamels retired 11 consecutive batters and 17 of 18 to finish seven walk-free innings. "You've got so many runs to work with, you can just focus on what you need to do," he said. "It was perfect timing for us to put up so many runs while I'm trying to work on some things."

2. So, Charlie Manuel isn't overly excited about the prospect of signing Pedro Martinez. I'll bet he would be more excited about Roy Halladay. Well, Halladay (pictured) is available, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told the well-sourced Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. Of course, he won't come cheap. For the Blue Jays to trade Halladay, they'll ask for at least two, maybe three, top prospects. I'm not sure who they'd want from the Phillies, but I'm certain Ruben Amaro Jr. will find out. Halladay is signed through 2010, and he'll make $15.75 million next season. That's a big financial commitment for the Phillies, whose payroll already has climbed above $130 million. But if they foot most of the bill for Halladay, the cost in talent won't be as great. If the asking price is Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown, would you do it?

3. The Phillies scored more runs last night (22) than in any game they hve ever played at Citizens Bank Park, but really, that's not a big deal. The Bank has only been open since 2004. The more impressive stat: By beating the Reds, 22-1, the Phillies achieved the most lopsided win in modern franchise history, surpassing a 19-run, 26-7 throttling of the Mets on June 11, 1985 at the Vet. It also was the third-most runs they'd scored in a nine-inning game in modern franchise history, trailing only that 26-run eruption against the Mets and 23-run outbursts June 13, 1900 at Pittsburgh and Aug. 25, 1922 at Chicago.

More in a bit.

July 2 -- MANUEL NOT PANICKING ABOUT HAMELS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ATLANTA -- So, over his past two starts, Cole Hamels has allowed 11 runs on 17 hits in 8-2/3 innings for an 11.42 ERA. In five starts since his five-hit, complete-game shutout June 4 at Dodger Stadium, he's allowed 44 hits in 27-2/3 innings and has a 6.18 ERA.

That's not good, obviously.

But Charlie Manuel isn't worried either. Manuel spent a good part of his afternoon watching pitch after pitch from Hamels' start here last night against the Braves and concluded that the problem was poor location. Too often, Hamels missed his spot, and when he did, he missed up in the strike zone. Major-league hitters hit those pitches, regardless of whether they're thrown by Hamels or, well, Adam Eaton.

"I couldn't tell a whole lot of difference in his pitching, really," Manuel said. "He was up. A lot of times when he missed, he missed up. That was the case. But his stuff looked to me like it was pretty good. I sat there and watched the whole time he pitched. His selection was good. I thought he made some real good pitches. It seemed like every one they hit, especially the fastballs and changeups, was up. That's kind of what I saw. It looked to me like his stuff was there. If anything, he was just missing. It goes back to his command.

"But I see the same guy. It's just a matter of him getting in a groove and getting going. What is he, 4-5? Believe me, it's just a matter of him getting it together."

Manuel indicated that Hamels' slow start could be attributed to his increased workload last year. Before last season, Hamels' career-high innings total in the majors was 183-1/3 in 2007. Last year, he threw 227-1/3 innings in the regular season, then 35 more in the playoffs.

That said, Hamels says he's healthy. Manuel and Rich Dubee haven't seen anything to make them think otherwise. So, before long, they expect that Hamels will be Hamels again, and on Manuel's list of worries (Jimmy Rollins' slump, Raul Ibanez's groin, a starting rotation that doesn't pitch enough and a bullpen that pitches too much), Hamels is barely a blip.

"This guy was used to throwing 180 innings. When he threw 262, or something like that, that's a jump," Manuel said. "Also, the season's longer, and his winter was shorter. The rest, during the winter, that comes into play. All that can affect you. All that's mental. It's a process of learning how to get through, if that makes sense. He had a long [2008] season to get to the end, and then, he had a short winter. That might have something to do with it. But also, when I look at it, I see the same guy that I've seen pitch good. I know he can pitch good. I don't worry about it. As long as long as healthy, I don't worry too much. I expect him to pitch a good game each time."

***
Spoke by phone with Ruben Amaro Jr., and he insists Ibanez has not had a setback with his strained groin. Amaro said the reason Ibanez hasn't started playing is, quite simply, that he isn't ready yet. Groin injuries have a tendency to linger or worsen if they don't heal properly, so the Phillies want to be sure he's 100 percent before throwing him into a game.

"He's actually progressing real well, just not to the point where he's ready to go," Amaro said. "Just like hamstrings or any other muscle pull, you do not want to put a player at risk to have a setback. Frankly, his progress has been pretty steady, but you'll never know how he truly feels until he gets in a game, and even then, it'll be tricky."

July 2 -- KING COLE, J-ROLL & THE SLUMPING PHILS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ATLANTA -- Well, that was ugly, wasn't it?

If you hadn't heard (or if you wisely changed the channel before the last out was made), the Phillies were crushed last night, 11-1, by the Braves at Turner Field. And, for me, the story of the game started with the starter, Cole Hamels, who was roughed up for a second straight outing. Hamels gave up nine hits (seven singles), walked two, yielded as many runs (seven) as he did in five postseason starts last year, and didn't record an out in the fifth inning, marking his shortest non-injury-interrupted start since April 10 at Colorado. His fastball velocity, usually in the low-to-mid-90s, averaged in the high-80s, but before you ask, no, he isn't injured.

"I feel healthy," Hamels said, and after covering him for the past four years, I believe him (Hamels is one athlete who raises his hand and tells Charlie Manuel, Rich Dubee and the trainers when he feels something out of the ordinary). "My body feels good."

OK, fine. But, quite obviously, something is amiss. Over his last two starts against the Blue Jays and Braves, Hamels has allowed 11 runs on 17 hits in 8-2/3 innings for an 11.42 ERA. In five starts since his five-hit, complete-game shutout June 4 at Dodger Stadium, he has allowed 44 hits in 27-2/3 innings and has a 6.18 ERA.

"I'm not giving up hard hits," Hamels said when it was noted that he's allowed only 10 extra-base hits in his last five starts. "It's tough because I've been making good pitches. They've just been putting enough on it to get it through the hole or in the gap. That's the positive. I'm not getting crushed. I'm only a hair away from nine innings, complete-game shutout."

So, what is it then?

Hamels doesn't really know. Lately, he's been doing a lot of head-scratching, and before his next start, he said he intends to incorporate some video-watching, too. Regardless, it hasn't been smooth-sailing for Hamels since his World Series MVP performance last autumn. In spring training, he suffered an elbow injury that kept him from making his first career opening-day start. In April, he was knocked out of back-to-back starts after getting struck in the shoulder by a line drive and spraining his ankle while fielding a bunt. And now, this.

"It's a rough year. It's a challenging year," Hamels said. "You're put on a big pedestal when you win, when you win awards, and you expect more of yourself that you'll be able to do it every year. But you have those years where you kind of learn who you are and what you're going to be capable of."

In some ways, that's been true of the entire Phillies team. As much as winning the NL East -- and, ultimately, winning the World Series -- wasn't easy last season, the Phillies managed to avoid crippling injuries. They've already had one of those (Brett Myers) and enough nagging maladies (Brad Lidge, Raul Ibanez, Scott Eyre, Clay Condrey, Antonio Bastardo) this year to cause headaches they were able to avoid for most of last season.

But, before y'all begin to worry too much, consider this: On this date last year, the Phillies led the NL East by only 1-1/2 games. This year, despite their 4-13 record since June 11, they still have a half-game lead over the Marlins and a two-game lead over the Mets. So, yes, the Phillies have been rotten for the past three weeks, but the situation isn't dire. Not yet, at least.

***
Jimmy Rollins' self-assessement last night: "I got a walk. Stole a bag."

Hard to believe, but lately, that qualifies as a decent night for the 2007 NL MVP, whose slump has officially reached career-worst proportions. Rollins is 0-for-27, surpassing an 0-for-25 slump from June 18-24, 2002. He hasn't gotten a hit since June 18, and honestly, if that elusive next hit comes tonight, I may ask the organist who sits behind me in the press box at Turner Field if he knows the Hallelujah Chorus.

May 20 -- WELCOME BACK, J-ROLL, COLE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

CINCINNATI -- Sure, the Phillies won another game here last night, running their best-in-the-majors road record to 13-4 and matching their season-high with a five-game winning streak. But, in the bigger picture, last night's game was significant for two reasons.

Jimmy Rollins.

Cole Hamels.

Rollins, a rally killer for most of the season's first six weeks, sparked the decisive rally in the fifth inning against good-looking Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto. To recap: With the game tied 1-1, Pedro Feliz ripped a leadoff double, and after Hamels laced a one-out single, Rollins stepped to the plate and got two quick strikes. But he worked the count full before driving a cutter into the gap in right-center for an RBI double. Chase Utley's single up the middle scored Hamels and sent Rollins to third, and when Raul Ibanez's sinking liner was caught by left fielder Darnell McDonald, Rollins tagged up and slid head-first across the plate to give the Phillies a 4-1 lead in their eventual 4-3 win.

As I wrote in today's News Journal, it was vintage Rollins. It's also no surprise that the Phillies' five-game winning streak has coincided with an 8-for-22 (.364) streak for Rollins, who has a a .440 on-base percentage during the past five games.

"Jimmy's the kind of guy, he loves to play baseball," Charlie Manuel said later. "He likes to smile. He's got a little, I call it 'slick,' on him, but his is in a real good way. His personality kind of corresponds to it. When he's going, he creates a lot of energy in the game. The more he hits, the more he gets on, that really gets us fired up."

Then, there was Hamels, who breezed through five innings, then got in trouble in the sixth. But he still turned a 4-3 lead over to the bullpen, which got three scoreless innings from Clay Condrey, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge. Most telling, though, was that Hamels threw 117 pitches, more than in any game (regular season or postseason) since July 3. To me, he looked like the ace with whom the Phillies are so familiar and the ace they need him to be.

So, now, it's up to Jamie Moyer to continue the streak tonight. I'll have more on Moyer later today, so please check back. Also, please join me at noon (about an hour from now) for our latest weekly Phillies live chat at www.delawareonline.com. Talk to you then.

May 17 -- SUNDAY BRIEFING

BY SCOTT LAUBER

WASHINGTON -- Morning, all. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, here's hoping you're enjoying your Sunday.

First, a few bits of news:

1. The Phillies have pushed struggling Jamie Moyer (3-3, 8.15 ERA) back one day. He'll start Wednesday night in Cincinnati, while Cole Hamels, pitching on his usual rest thanks to tomorrow's day off, will start the series-opener Tuesday night against the Reds.

2. J.C. Romero will make his first minor-league appearance tomorrow night at Class AAA Lehigh Valley. Barring any rainouts, he can resume pitching for the Phillies on June 3 in San Diego, once he finishes serving his 50-game suspension.

3. Sergio Escalona has joined the team here. I asked pitching coach Rich Dubee to explain why the Phillies elected to call up Escalona, another lefty reliever, from Class AA Reading instead of bringing up one of their many right-handers with major-league experience (Gary Majewski, Tyler Walker, Mike Koplove) from Lehigh Valley. According to Dubee, it was an issue of minor-league options. It seems Escalona's stay here will be brief, and the Phillies didn't want to burn an option for any of their Class AAA veterans.

4. Upon further review, Andrew Carpenter has been credited with the victory in last night's rain-shortened doubleheader finale. That's significant, considering it's Carpenter's first major-league win. Because the Phillies played only five innings on defense, Carpenter only had to pitch four innings to qualify for the win (he pitched 4-1/3 innings), according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Clay Condrey, initially credited with the win, earned a save instead. So, belated congratulations to Carpenter, who, I'm sure, will celebrate with his teammates in Lehigh Valley today.

5. The Phillies are going for a rare four-game sweep today against the Nats. But they'll have to beat uber-prospect Jordan Zimmermann. Talked to one scout during spring training who absolutely loves Zimmermann and believes he can be an impact pitcher for the Nats. So far, he's 2-1 with a 5.90 ERA. Here's the lineup he'll be facing:

SS Jimmy Rollins (.216/2/12)
2B Chase Utley (.289/10/24)
LF Raul Ibanez (.368/13/35)
1B Ryan Howard (.266/8/28)
RF Jayson Werth (.289/7/23)
CF Shane Victorino (.255/4/21)
3B Pedro Feliz (.302/2/21)
C Carlos Ruiz (.279/0/5)
RHP Chan Ho Park (1-1, 6.00)

***
Recapping yesterday's doubleheader:

-Ibanez had an enormous day, going 5-for-8 with three homers and seven RBIs, making him the focus of the game story in today's News Journal. Here's something that didn't make it into the story: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Ibanez has more homers (13) than any player who changed teams during the offseason. The Nats' Adam Dunn is second with 10 homers.

-Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the opener, ending his streak of six consecutive appearances in which he allowed a run.

-Talked to Carlos Ruiz before yesterday's games about the change in his approach at the plate, and it's all here in the notebook. Also, there's word on another solid start for Brett Myers. That's two in a row.

***
In our Sunday MLB notes, we talked to Davey Lopes about the "art" of stealing home, which isn't really an art at all. It's all about luck, Lopes said, which makes it even more impressive that both Jacoby Ellsbury and Jayson Werth executed straight steals during a 17-day span.

***
It's been a long, but memorable, weekend in DC for Philled In. On Friday, we spent a few hours at the White House, checking out the press briefing room (yes, that's me behind press secretary Robert Gibbs' podium) and the South Lawn and the Rose Garden. It was a pretty funny, actually. The baseball folks in attendance were excited to get a glimpse of President Obama, while the political folks were eager to get a glimpse of the Phillies. Regardless, it was a day we'll never forget.

May 14 -- OFFENSIVE!

"What is losing?
Losing is a disease... as contagious as polio.
Losing is a disease... as contagious as syphilis.
Losing is a disease... as contagious as bubonic plague...
attacking one... but infecting all.
But curable."

BY SCOTT LAUBER

OK, so who remembers the scene in "The Natural," when the team shrink comes into the clubhouse and talks to Roy Hobbs and the slumping New York Knights about losing?

Well, Raul Ibanez put his own twist on that philosophy today.

Ibanez has only been with the Phillies for a few months, but he already has raved about the offense, which, generally speaking, had been rolling along until about a week ago. But after today's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, the numbers have gotten downright ugly. Over the past five games, the Phillies are 27-for-153 (.176) and have scored only 14 runs. Jimmy Rollins is 4-for-25. Shane Victorino is 1-for-27. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are both 3-for-23.

So, I asked Ibanez how an entire lineup, especially one as potent as the Phillies', can go into a funk at the same time. It was a problem that plagued the Phils last summer when they went into a 10-week, team-wide offensive malaise.

"It's like a yawn," Ibanez said. "One person yawns in a room, and all of a sudden, everyone starts yawning. I'm not smart enough to explain that. I don't know why it happens. But it's a gifted group of hitters. It's inevitable this team will hit."

Losing is a disease ...

***
Charlie Manuel made an interesting -- and, I'm sure, intentional -- observation after the game when he said, "I know what our guys can do. We can talk about it. We talked about how we played last year, and we talked about bringing it every day. We've got to get back in that pattern, and guys have to start getting after it."

A manager doesn't merely drop phrases like "bringing it every day" and "getting after it." I think Manuel has some concerns about the Phillies resting on their laurels early in the season. Keep in mind: They have rallied to win the NL East in each of the past two years. Howard, Jayson Werth and others often have talked about how the Phillies play their best late in the season. But Manuel knows late-season rallies can't be counted on. If you don't play well enough in April and May, September can be a lost cause.

***
On the bright side, Cole Hamels finally is looking more like Cole Hamels.

***
Talk to y'all tomorrow from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Any messages you want me to deliver to President Obama?

May 10 -- AS THE ROTATION TURNS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Quick turnaround today with a 12:35 p.m. first pitch for the rubber game against the Braves, so we'll make this quick: The Phillies lost yesterday, and while the offense was a big reason (four hits against Javier Vazquez), Joe Blanton once again failed to provide them with a quality start and gave up two more homers. So, for those of you who have lost track, here's a look at the eyesore numbers of the Phillies' starters through 28 games:

Cole Hamels: 1-2, 6.17 ERA, 5 HR
Brett Myers: 2-2, 5.35 ERA, 10 HR
Jamie Moyer: 3-2, 7.26 ERA, 10 HR
Joe Blanton: 1-3, 6.82 ERA, 8 HR
Chan Ho Park: 0-1, 6.67 ERA, 5 HR

Blanton thought he pitched far better than his line yesterday. He also said the Phillies starters aren't overly concerned about their worst-in-the-majors 6.47 ERA. "I don't think anybody's worried," Blanton said. "I think you can ask all four other guys. I wouldn't say we don't care, but we know it's a long season. We know what we can do. What was it, my sixth start? That's not very many. There' a lot more."

Myers will go to the mound today. We examined his struggles a few days ago. It'll be interesting to monitor his velocity, but, of course, the big thing for Myers will be keeping the ball in the park.

***
Happy Mother's Day to every mom out there, especially mine in New Jersey.

May 8 -- VISITING THE OBAMAS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Finally back home after a four-game road trip that felt like 40 games. Made a stop in New Jersey this evening to celebrate Mother's Day, so colleague Geoff Mosher took care of things at the Bank. Meanwhile, I'm here to pass along news that the Phillies' visit to the White House has been rescheduled for next Friday. They'll hang with President Barack Obama from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. before heading over to Nationals Park for a 7 p.m. game. Details are forthcoming, but I'm sure the Phils will get a peek at the Oval Office, the Rose Garden, maybe even the Lincoln Bedroom. And hey, if they're so inclined, perhaps they can check out the Obamas china, too.

Should be an interesting visit. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the close friendship between Obama and Phillies broadcaster Gary "Sarge" Matthews. They met several years ago in Chicago when their daughters enrolled in the same dance class. Obama is a big baseball fan, so he bonded with Sarge immediately. As many of you know, I co-wrote a book with Sarge that was released in February (check it out here), and when I asked if he'd given a copy to Obama, he said he's not sure the Prez would read a baseball book that isn't about his beloved White Sox. Personally, I just think it would be cool to have my book on a shelf somewhere in the White House.

***
So, the other day in St. Louis, Cole Hamels boldly tempted fate. Talking about the line drive off his left shoulder and sprained left ankle that derailed him in his last two starts, he said, "I'd rather have these sort of freak injuries than take one off the face or blow your arm out or your knee out and be on the DL for about 60 days."

Well, Hamels survived his start tonight.

If you missed it, Hamels allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in six innings against the Braves at the Bank. He struck out seven, retired the first 11 batters he faced, and most importantly, didn't incur any bodily harm. That's the best news the Phillies' rotation could possibly receive. If Hamels can pitch like the ace he is, perhaps it will set a tone for the rest of the starters to follow.

Please make sure to check Saturday's News Journal for full details on Hamels' start. And don't forget to check out Philled In on Twitter and Facebook.

May 6 -- GAME 24 WRAP: VICTORINO HOT, MYERS NOT

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. LOUIS -- Good morning, all. We're sitting at Gate A15 in Lambert International Airport, still several hours before sunrise, awaiting the boarding of a US Airways flight to Pittsburgh, where we'll hop a connecting flight to New York.

Ah, the joys of travel.

Anyway, here at the mobile office of Philled In, I'm still thinking about the game that was played here just a few hours ago, a 10-7 Phillies win that completed an impressive (albeit brief) two-game sweep of the Cardinals. I say it's impressive because of how well the Cardinals had been playing. When the Phillies blew into Baseball Heaven on Monday, Albert Pujols and Co. were 17-8 and had the best record in the National League. But, thanks mostly to their offense, the Phils cooled off the Cards and moved into first place, a half-game ahead of the up-and-down Marlins. It would've been easy, I think, for the Phillies to overlook this series in St. Louis. It was sandwiched between two series against their big rival from the Big Apple, and we know how (over-)hyped those Phillies-Mets battles can be. For Ryan Howard, though, games in St. Louis trump anything else. He grew up here, and he had another superb series in his old stomping grounds, smackinga grand slam Monday night before reaching base three times again last night.

That said, Howard is hardly the hottest Phillies hitter. That would be Shane Victorino, who went 4-for-4 last night, extending his hitting streak to 14 games and hiking his average to .311. Victorino, suddenly superstitious, doesn't want to jinx himself by discussing the hitting streak, especially with the prospect of having to keep it alive tonight against Johan Santana. But Charlie Manuel hasn't been shy about heaping praise upon his sparkplug center fielder. "Victorino is a high-talent player," Manuel said. "He gets into a streak, and he hits as good as anybody in the game. He's an electrifying player."

It's not all positive in Manuel's universe, though. He has some concern, though not much, over Chase Utley's bruised right foot, which is detailed within the notebook in today's News Journal. I'm not a gambling man, but if I had to wager, I'd say Utley will be in the lineup tonight against The Johan. Of far greater concern to the Phillies is their starting pitching. After Joe Blanton gave them a rare quality start Monday night, Brett Myers nearly coughed up a pair of four-run leads last night and gave up two more homers, bringing his majors-leading total to 10 in only 37 innings. Manuel noted that Myers' velocity was down last night, topping out at about 88 mph on the Busch Stadium radar gun. Myers countered by saying the radar gun was inaccurate (it may well have been, according to people who watch games here all the time). He also said he felt ill during the fifth and sixth innings. Nevertheless, considering Myers' first-half struggles last year landed him in the minors for three weeks in July, there has to be some concern over his 5.35 ERA through five starts.

So, Brett, what gives?

"I'm just trying to get to the point where I can repeat my pitches," Myers said after the game. "Right now, I'm making three good ones, and then I make three bad ones."

That's true of all the starters. The Phillies are 14-10 despite a rotation that has a major-league-worst 6.54 ERA. That's fairly amazing, and of course, it can't last. Cole Hamels is set to return to the mound Friday night against the Braves, so that should help, but I'll ask you this: What's your level of concern about the pitching? Are you comforted by the strong track records of Myers, Jamie Moyer, Blanton and Hamels? Or are you writing letters to Ruben Amaro Jr., telling him to make some upgrades?

***
With any luck, I'll be in New York by 11:30 a.m., ready and able to host our weekly live Phillies chat at delawareonline.com at noon. So, please stop by and join me. Also, I'll throw together a post on Chan Ho Park's big start tonight and my impressions of Citi Field (a.k.a., the New Shea) once I get there.

***
In case you're wondering, here's how Phillies hitters have fared in their careers against Santana:
Ryan Howard: .429, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 14 AB
Carlos Ruiz: .429, 7 AB
Raul Ibanez: .353, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 34 AB
Jayson Werth: .313, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 16 AB
Matt Stairs: .267, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 15 AB
Miguel Cairo: .250, 12 AB
Eric Bruntlett: .250, 4 AB
Chase Utley: .167, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 18 AB
Pedro Feliz: .158, 1 RBI, 19 AB
Shane Victorino: .083, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 12 AB
Jimmy Rollins: .059, 17 AB
Chris Coste: .000, 8 AB

***
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May 5 -- HAMELS OK; UTLEY NOT OK

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. LOUIS -- So, Cole Hamels will start Friday night against the Braves at the Bank. But Chase Utley won't start tonight here against the Cardinals.

First, the news on Hamels: He threw about 55 pitches in the bullpen today and felt fine. Then, he did several fielding drills, simulating fielding bunts, covering first base, etc., and felt fine. So, Hamels will make his next start. Talked with him a few minutes ago, and he said he will tape his sprained left ankle Friday night. But he also said he isn't concerned enough that his ankle will take away from his focus.

"I'm very happy with the way that I feel," Hamels said. "This bullpen felt a lot better than the last one [Saturday]. I'm comfortable on the mound again. I'm not really thinking of the injury. Running, doing the cuts, I didn't think about it. The tape around the ankle, it just secures all the movements so that I won't hurt it any other way or put it in a bad tweak situation."

Now, the news on Utley: He was hit on the right foot in the first inning last Friday night by Mets starter Mike Pelfrey. The bruised swelled up, and he didn't play last Saturday. He returned to the lineup last night and went 1-for-2 in the Phillies' 6-1 victory. But Charlie Manuel decided to hold him out of the lineup today when the bruise flared again.

Manuel said Utley may play tomorrow night in New York, but his status won't be determined until he gets to the ballpark. Utley hasn't undergone an MRI or any other diagnostic tests, and Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies will administer those tests only if the injury worsens.

More on both Hamels and Utley in tomorrow's News Journal. Meanwhile, here's the lineup for tonight against RHP Adam Wainwright:

SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Shane Victorino
LF Raul Ibanez
1B Ryan Howard
RF Jayson Werth
3B Pedro Feliz
2B Miguel Cairo
C Carlos Ruiz
RHP Brett Myers

May 5 -- GAME 23 WRAP: NO AVERAGE JOE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ST. LOUIS -- So, if you hadn't already noticed, Ryan Howard is kind of a big deal around here.

Howard grew up in St. Louis back in the days when Ozzie Smith and Whitey Herzog were synonymous with the Cardinals, and he often talks about going to games at old Busch Stadium with his dad and his brothers. Howard's family still lives here, and in the offseason, he does, too. A few years ago, before he signed his three-year, $54 million contract extension, Howard built a home in a nearby suburb. And, clearly, he enjoys playing in The Loo. In 16 career games at new Busch, he's batting .383 (23-for-60) with seven home runs and 28 RBIs.

Those numbers include his grand slam against Kyle Lohse in last night's 6-1 victory. With that homer, Howard tied Mike Schmidt's franchise record of seven career grand slams. The difference: It took Schmidty 8,352 at-bats to hit seven slams. Howard has done it in only 2,164. Because of that -- and Howard's fairly candid pregame comments about wanting to be known as an all-around player (just like Albert Pujols) -- I focused the game story in today's News Journal around Big No. 6.

But I could've just as easily written about Joe Blanton.

Finally, in his fifth start of the season, Blanton (AP photo) gave the Phillies exactly what they've been craving: A quality start. Entering last night's game, the Phillies' starters had combined for a 6.71 ERA, worst in the majors. But Blanton allowed only one run and four hits in six innings. He worked out of jams -- a two-on, two-out situation in the fifth; a bases-loaded, one-out mess in the sixth -- against a strong Cards lineup (Pujols, Chris Duncan, Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel are a formidable 3-4-5-6). And for those who like their irony, Blanton, last year's big trade-deadline acquisition, defeated Lohse, the Phillies' top midseason pitching addition in 2007. If the Phillies had been able to re-sign Lohse before last season, they may have never traded for Blanton, who, you may recall, pitched pretty well in the postseason. Anyway, after the game, Blanton said a minor mechanical adjustment helped him throw a more effective sinker. Mostly, though, he said the Phillies' starters have confidence that things are going to get better.

"We know we can pitch," Blanton said. "We know what we did at the end of last season, and we know we can do that again. It's just a matter of us putting a few good runs together. We're not going to go through the season with 7.00 or 9.00 or 12.00 ERAs."

You'll find more from Blanton, along with a few quotes from struggling Chan Ho Park and a few details on Ankiel's frightening headfirst crash into the outfield wall, in the Phillies' notebook in today's paper. And I'll try to get you a longer, more detailed, post about Park later today or tomorrow, certainly before he faces the Mets tomorrow night at Citi Field.

***
On tap for today: Cole Hamels will throw a bullpen session, and if he believes his sprained left ankle has healed enough for him to field his position, he'll start Friday night against the Braves at the Bank. Check back here later today to get the latest on Hamels.

***
Programming note: Please join me at noon tomorrow for our weekly Phillies chat at www.delawareonline.com. I'll be live from La Guardia Airport in New York. (My flight is scheduled to land at 11:30 a.m., so if I'm late, blame US Airways!) We've gotten some great questions over the past few weeks, so please join the discussion.

Also, don't forget that Philled In is now on Twitter and Facebook.

***
Oh, almost forgot: Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone!

More in a bit from Busch.

May 3 -- RAINOUT PUSHES HAMELS TO FRIDAY

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Cole Hamels won't have to pitch until Friday.

For that, Hamels and the Phillies can thank Mother Nature. Today's game, a series finale against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park, has been rained out. No makeup date has been scheduled.

Anyway, the Phillies would've needed Hamels (or someone else) to pitch Tuesday in St. Louis. Hamels threw well in the bullpen yesterday, but he felt soreness in his sprained left ankle. And because the Phillies had concerns about whether he'd be able to field his position, they hadn't decided if he'd be ready to pitch by Tuesday.

Of course, that's moot now.

Anyway, here's the rotation, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee:

Monday at St. Louis: Joe Blanton
Tuesday at St. Louis: Brett Myers
Wednesday at New York: Chan Ho Park
Thursday at New York: Jamie Moyer
Friday at Philadelphia: Hamels

Hamels will throw a bullpen session Tuesday in St. Louis, Dubee said. After that, the Phillies will have a better idea of whether he'll be ready to pitch Friday. Of course, the rainout today helps.

May 2 -- AMARO: HAMELS "VERY POSSIBLY" WILL MISS START

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, Cole Hamels threw a bullpen session today, and it was your classic good-news/bad-news scenario.

First, the good news: Ruben Amaro Jr. said Hamels felt some mild -- but expected -- soreness in his sprained left ankle when he dragged his foot in his follow-through. Otherwise, he threw well, Amaro said.

Now, the bad news: Hamels likely won't be ready to pitch by Tuesday night.

"He could probably pitch if he stood on the mound and didn't do anything but pitch, but that's not how it works," Amaro said. "We've got to see him do some other things, coming off the mound, fielding and doing some other things. We don't want to put him in a position where he could reinjure it by fielding or other things."

If the Phillies don't have to use J.A. Happ in relief over the next two games, it's possible he could start Tuesday night in Hamels' place. But if Happ has to pitch out of the bullpen, Amaro said it's possible the Phillies could call up a pitcher from triple-A Lehigh Valley.

***
Also, Charlie Manuel said Chan Ho Park "most likely" will make his next start, scheduled for Wednesday night against the Mets at Citi Field. Would that be different if Happ wasn't going to be needed Tuesday night? Perhaps, although, at this point, I just don't think the Phillies are ready to pull the plug on Park.

***
Day off for Chase Utley, who has a bruised foot after being hit a pitch last night. The Phillies are saying it's nothing serious. Sans Utley, Manuel got creative with the lineup against Mets lefty Oliver Perez. Here goes:

CF Shane Victorino
LF Raul Ibanez
RF Jayson Werth
1B Ryan Howard
SS Jimmy Rollins
3B Pedro Feliz
2B Eric Bruntlett
C Carlos Ruiz
LHP Jamie Moyer

And, as you can tell from that lineup, Ruiz has been activated from the disabled list. Lou Marson is on his way back to Lehigh Valley. He should be hitting the Pennsylvania Turnpike right about now, in fact.

More in a bit.

April 30 -- ANALYSIS: THE FIRST 20 GAMES

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, in case you missed it, Barack Obama reached a presidential milestone yesterday when he spent his 100th day in the Oval Office. It was a largely symbolic occasion, but naturally, it gave political analysts the chance to reflect (and pass judgment) on Obama's level of effectiveness during his first 100 days on the job. And, of course, everyone seemed to have an opinion.

Well, the Phillies hit their own marker last night. They played their 20th game -- and finished their first month -- of the season by losing to the Nationals, 4-1, at the Bank. Brett Myers threw OK, except for a bout of wildness in the third inning that included walking pitcher Scott Olsen and a bases-loaded walk to Ryan Zimmerman. Pin this loss, though, on the offense, which left 10 men on base, went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, and wasted scoring opportunities in the fourth, sixth and eighth innings.

But I chose to take more of a big-picture approach with the game story in today's News Journal. The Phillies finished April with an 11-9 record, which is somewhat of a wonder when you consider the following:

a) Jimmy Rollins is batting .207 (.241 OBP), and as late as Sunday, was batting .162.
b) The pitching staff has allowed 40 homers and has an NL-worst 5.63 ERA.
c) Luckless ace Cole Hamels has pitched only 17-1/3 innings.
d) The entire organization mourned Harry Kalas' untimely death on April 13.
e) Knee problems have contributed to Brad Lidge's 7.27 ERA.

Given all that, you never would've believed the Phillies could have had a winning month, right? For that, they can thank sizzling Chase Utley (.342, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 1.105 OPS) and Raul Ibanez (.359, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 1.151 OPS) and a relentless offense that has scored nearly half its runs after the sixth inning and already has staged several memorable comebacks. It marks only the second time in Charlie Manuel's five-year tenure that the Phillies have had a winning first month. They went 15-13 last season after going 11-14 (after starting 4-11) in 2007 and 10-14 in both 2006 and 2005. But while Manuel thinks 11-9 is good, he also believes the Phillies can be better, even after facing so many early-season problems.

"You've got to handle all the adversity that comes at you," Manuel said. "That's part of it. We talk about staying focused on what we want to do. At the same time, we can't use those things as excuses. Our record is what it is. ... Fortunate? Yeah, in some ways, maybe we are fortunate. But it is what it is."

So, what do you think? All things considered, are you happy with 11-9?

***
Before last night's game, I had a conversation with Ryan Madson, the fill-in closer until Lidge is ready to pitch. You can read Madson's thoughts, plus get injury updates on Lidge, Hamels and Carlos Ruiz, within the notebook.

***
Day off for the Phils, but stop by later today for more on this weekend's series against the rival Mets. Also, don't forget to follow me -- and Philled In -- on Twitter and Facebook.

April 29 -- BLACK & BLUE REPORT: HAMELS, LIDGE, RUIZ UPDATES

BY SCOTT LAUBER

OK, here's all the pertinent info on the injured Phillies:

1. Cole Hamels (sprained left ankle): According to Ruben Amaro Jr., Hamels has some minor swelling in his sprained left ankle. The injury has been diagnosed as a Grade 1 sprain, which is considered minor. Hamels is scheduled to throw a between-starts bullpen session Friday. If he needs an extra day, Rich Dubee said Hamels could probably throw in the bullpen Saturday and still make his scheduled start Monday in St. Louis. And with the off day tomorrow, the Phillies don't absolutely need Hamels to start until Tuesday. That said, Hamels' status won't really be known until after he throws a bullpen.

2. Brad Lidge (right knee inflammation): He isn't available to pitch tonight. He's expected to throw in the bullpen Friday, and if that goes well, he may be ready to pitch over the weekend against the Mets. If he isn't ready by the weekend, the Phillies may have to consider placing him on the disabled list, retroactive to last Saturday. But if Brett Myers pitches deep into the game tonight, and with an off day tomorrow, the bullpen may be rested enough to get by without Lidge for another few days.

3. Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique): Amaro said Ruiz will catch tomorrow night for Class AAA Lehigh Valley. After that, he will be reevaluated.

April 29 -- GAME 19 WRAP: LUMP OF COLE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Cole Hamels had to laugh.

In spring training, he missed nearly a week with inflammation and stiffness in his left elbow. Then, last Thursday, he got hit on the left shoulder by Prince Fielder's line drive. Now here he was, having sailed through four innings against the lowly Nationals, hobbling to the dugout after rolling his left ankle while trying to field pitcher John Lannan's bunt.

Seriously, does someone out there have a Hamels voodoo doll, or what?

"Nah, I'd probably be on the disabled list with a surgery procedure if somebody hated me that bad," Hamels said last night, his ankle lightly wrapped. "Why would they toy around with me?"

OK, but if Hamels didn't have rotten luck, he'd have no luck at all.

The Phillies won a 7-1 giggler last night, their fifth straight victory. But it wasn't until later, when they got word on their ace, that they really were able to enjoy it. X-rays on Hamels' ankle were negative, and he was diagnosed with a "mild sprain." With the benefit of an extra day of rest (the Phillies are idle Thursday), Hamels said he expects to be able to make his next scheduled start, Monday in St. Louis, although that won't be absolutely certain until he throws a bullpen session Friday and sees how his tender ankle reacts.

"It's one of those things where some random things happen," said Hamels, his ankle lightly wrapped. "It was almost comedy. I don't know what else to do but laugh about it because nothing's been too serious. This ankle injury, it's not severe."

For four innings against the Nationals, Hamels cruised. He allowed just four hits, two walks and zero runners to advance beyond second base. His fastball velocity touched 93 mph. His command was good. He was not his sharpest, but after being slowed by his spring-training setback, he finally resembled the dominant ace who was named World Series MVP last fall.

And then this.

"I was like, what's next?" Shane Victorino said. "Poor guy."

At least Hamels' sense of humor is intact.

After throwing one warm-up pitch and deciding he wouldn't be able to put enough pressure on his ankle to be effective, Hamels flipped the ball in the direction of Charlie Manuel. It fell short. Asked if he had words for Manuel or pitching coach Rich Dubee as he left the mound, Hamels said, "I don't think the words I said should be written down."

"I guess I'll be good and rested by September," he added.

"His luck is going to turn," reliever Chad Durbin said, "and when it does, there's going to be a lot of teams that aren't going to be happy having to face him because his stuff is plenty good right now."

And, one of these days, he'll be able to use it for more than four innings.

***
Also in today's News Journal, the owner/operator of Proviant Technologies and ErgoPharm responds to J.C. Romero's lawsuit by issuing an e-mail statement to the media. And Brad Lidge says he doesn't view his knee injury as a long-term problem, and for now, the Phillies aren't thinking of putting him on the disabled list. But if Lidge isn't able to pitch in the next few days, they may have no choice.

***
Calling all Twitterers: Come Tweet with me. Also, Philled In is now on Facebook, too.

***
Don't forget about our live chat at noon today (Wednesday) at www.delawareonline.com. See you there.

April 28 -- HAMELS SPRAINS LEFT ANKLE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Think Cole Hamels believes in the SI cover jinx now?

Hamels was cruising tonight against the Nationals, allowing four hits and two walks through 4-1/3 scoreless innings. Then, in the top of the fifth, he tripped while trying to field a bunt by pitcher John Lannan. He rolled his left ankle, and immediately, he knew something was wrong. On his back, Hamels flipped the ball in the air, rose gingerly and limped back to the mound.

Out came Rich Dubee and Charlie Manuel and assistant athletic trainer Mark Andersen. Hamels threw one warm-up pitch, then tossed the ball in the air in frustration and walked off the mound.

The initial diagnosis: A sprained left ankle.

It marks the second consecutive start in which Hamels has left the game with an injury. In the fourth inning last Thursday, he suffered a bruised left shoulder when he got hit by a Prince Fielder line drive.

More on Hamels after the game.

April 25 -- GAME 15 WRAP: BEATING LINDSTROM

BY SCOTT LAUBER

FORT LAUDERDALE -- So, there I was, sitting in the Dolphin Stadium press box last night and getting ready to apply the finishing touches to my game story for The News Journal's first edition when first-year Marlins closer Matt Lindstrom entered in the ninth inning.

And, suddenly, I had flashbacks to 2005.

Allow me to explain. In 2005, I was covering the Mets' double-A, Eastern League affiliate for the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, N.Y., and Lindstrom was a Mets prospect. He was a starter back then, and he threw a fastball that often pushed radar guns to triple digits and left scouts drooling. There was no denying Lindstrom had an electric right arm. Problem was, he had little control. In 73-1/3 innings for Binghamton that season, he walked 55 batters, and after 10 starts, the folks on the Mets' player-development staff decided he was best-suited to be a reliever. In fact, if he could ever harness his command, they were sure he could be a good late-inning reliever. And, lo and behold, after being traded to the Marlins in November 2006, that was he became. He did a nice job for the Marlins last year as a setup man, and after Kevin Gregg (the bespectacled reliever, not the Phillies' PR man) was sent to the Cubs in the offseason, Lindstrom ascended to the closer role.

But there he was in the ninth inning last night, allowing a one-out double to Jayson Werth, walking Raul Ibanez and giving up a pinch-hit RBI single to Matt Stairs. And there I was, thinking I had seen this all before. Lindstrom was struggling to locate his pitches, and all of a sudden, the Phillies had life. Sure, they had done absolutely nothing offensively in the previous 28 innings. (They were batting .153, 15-for-98, and had scored two runs since the seventh inning Tuesday night.) But the Phillies are nothing if not relentless, and I knew Lindstrom was in trouble. After he struck out pinch-hitting Eric Bruntlett, I thought he might get out of it. But when he walked struggling Jimmy Rollins with the bases loaded to cut the margin to 3-2, I began punching my delete key and rewriting my story.

Sure enough, Shane Victorino belted a grand slam -- not as memorable as his slam in Game 2 of the NLDS against CC Sabathia, but clutch nonetheless. The Phillies suddenly were leading 6-3, and Chase Utley made it 7-3 with a solo homer. It capped an improbable comeback for the Phillies and an absolutely ginormous win. They avoided a three-game losing streak, inched within 3-1/2 games of the suddenly shaky Marlins (several people said it was funereal in their clubhouse after the game) and may have finally found that elusive rhythm they have been talking about for the past two weeks.

And while we'll have plenty of time to analyze this particular Phillies victory, I found myself driving back to the hotel and thinking about Lindstrom. After Utley's homer, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez walked to the mound and replaced his closer, who walked slowly to the dugout. At one point, they put the camera on Lindstrom, and he appeared shell-shocked.

I had seen him look that way before.

***
Within the notebook, more on Cole Hamels. Also, J.C. Romero is spending the weekend with the Phillies, and he had an emotional reaction to the Nick Adenhart tragedy.

***
Calling all Twitterers. Come Tweet with me. Also, Philled In is now on Facebook, too.

More in a bit from Dolphin Stadium.

April 23 -- RUIZ TO REHAB AT LEHIGH VALLEY

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Carlos Ruiz will begin a rehab assignment with triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday when the IronPigs host Pawtucket at Coca-Cola Park. Charlie Manuel said yesterday that Ruiz likely will play four games, alternating games between catching and designated hitting. Ruiz has been out since April 10 with a strained right oblique.

***
Here's my colleague Kevin Tresolini's initial recap of Cole Hamels' bruised left shoulder.

April 23 -- GAME 13 WRAP: GETTING 'RHYTHMATIC'

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, after the Phillies' 3-1 loss to Braden Looper and the Brewers last night, a few of us beat writers were chatting with Jayson Werth. Asked for his breakdown of the club's less-than-stellar 6-7 start, Werth invented his own word.

Rhythmatic.

You won't find that one in the dictionary.

But we all knew what Werth meant. We were discussing the many stops and starts in the April schedule that have prevented the Phillies from playing on more than four consecutive days. Since the season-opener April 5, there have been three scheduled off days, two rainouts, four pregame ceremonies, a memorial service for Harry Kalas and no opportunity for the Phillies to get into any sort of normal routine. The results have been as disjointed as the schedule. The Phillies win a few games, then lose a few. And just when they think they're getting things started, there's another interruption.

"I'm sure that's had an effect," Werth said. "We're pretty rhythmatic in that sense."

Uh, Jayson, don't you mean rhythmic?

"However you want to put it," he said with a smile. "You guys are the writers. Throw it in quotes, and I'll look stupid. It's fine."

Werth's point is, the Phillies aren't panicking. They have never been fast starters. Two seasons ago, they opened with a 4-11 record that was so alarming they called a team meeting before a game in Cincinnati. Last year, they were 11-11 on April 23. Both seasons, they won the National League East.

"We'll be all right," Werth said. "We're a team that hangs around and hangs around, and when it's time to kick in gear, we do. That's what we've done the past two years. I'm not saying that's the right way to do it, but it's definitely an excuse for right now."

He's right, of course, and after only 13 games, there isn't any reason to panic. That said, if they can avoid it, the Phillies would rather not have to rely on another late-season surge to win the division.

***
Within the notebook, Pedro Feliz is finally healthy (and it shows) and Carlos Ruiz will begin a rehab assignment any day now.

***
All eyes today will be on Cole Hamels, who pitched better in his second start than he did in his first. How will he do in his third? Will the real Cole Hamels finally show up? Charlie Manuel is every bit as curious as you are.

"I'm confident that I'm going to see Cole Hamels pretty soon," he said. "He's going to get better. Hopefully, it's [today]."

Stay tuned.

***
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