Grand Nostalgia Enough To Top Rockies

GAME RECAP: Phillies Rock Rockies 10-6

The Phillies got a little nostalgic Friday night. Prior to their series-opening 10-6 win over the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park, the Phils inducted Jim Thome into the club's Wall of Fame. Not three hours later, the man who took Thome's job back in 2005, Ryan Howard, looked like his old self and hammered a grand slam into the Rockies' bullpen, 455 feet away per Statcast™, to break a tie for good. "You want to go out there and try to get a win on a special night like this," Howard said. "Being able to get something to hit and having it land on the other side of the fence -- it's the bonus." After circling the bases, Howard re-emerged from the dugout for a curtain call. He couldn't remember the last time he'd done so. "It's been a while," Howard said. "Felt great. I mean, to be able to do it in that situation in a night like tonight, it was pretty cool." Howard's slam, the 14th of his career and first since 2014, continued the Rockies' downward spiral. Colorado had pulled a game over .500 and three games back of a Wild Card spot, but the Rockies have lost seven of nine games since. Friday's pitching matchup was anything but nostalgic, featuring a pair of rookies in the Rockies' slumping Jon Gray and the Phils' Jake Thompson, making his second MLB start. Thompson bounced back nicely from a 4 1/3-inning, six-run debut to toss five innings of three-run ball, though not without the red-hot Charlie Blackmon touching him for a home run. The Rockies' center fielder added two more big flies in the seventh and ninth for his first career three-home run game. Over the last week, Blackmon is 19-for-33 (.576) with six home runs. "I felt pretty good -- I imagine that's what it's like to be Nolan Arenado on a day-to-day basis -- that's as close as I get," said Blackmon, referring to the Rockies' third baseman, who has 30 homers this season. But with Gray throwing 111 pitches and lasting just 4 1/3 innings, the Rockies didn't get the starting pitching a team that was coming off a 4-hour, 3-minute game in 100-plus degree heat needed to keep up its energy level. "No question, you're already a little bit low and then you're standing around out there on defense, it doesn't help," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.

PHILS PHACTS: 

• After a 13-pitch at-bat to lead off the first, Cesar Hernandez ripped a ball into the right-center gap. As Gerardo Parra scrambled to field it, Hernandez was wheeling around the bases and landed on third for his MLB-leading ninth triple of the season. Odubel Herrera poked a fastball into left the next play, scoring Hernandez to give the Phillies an early 1-0 lead, and followed it by swiping his 19th bag of the season. Hernandez matched Herrera on the bases the next inning, stealing his 12th base after an eight-pitch walk.
• Hernandez had plate appearances of 13, eight and 13 pitches against Gray. He tripled, walked and struck out in those and saw 34 of Gray's 111 pitches (30.6 percent).
• The Rockies hoped to erase a baserunner and possibly make the fifth easier on Gray when they challenged a safe call at second base on Maikel Franco's fielder's choice grounder with one out. But after 2 minutes, 25 seconds, the replay official ruled that there was no angle that showed definitively that shortstop Daniel Descalso's right foot was on second base when he received DJ LeMahieu's throw in an atempt to retire Aaron Altherr. The call stood, Gray faced Howard with nowhere to put him, and Howard smashed the Rockies -- again.

NEXT GAME:

Jerad Eickhoff (7-12, 3.78 ERA) looks to avenge his last start against the Rockies on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. ET. In his first meeting vs. Colorado at Coors Field, the Rockies put up a six-spot in the sixth, en route to a season-high eight runs allowed by Eickhoff in 5 1/3 innings.

PHILS PHACTS:

4 K Inning – When Jake Thompson struck out four Rockies in the second inning of the Phillies' 10-6 win Friday night, it was more than just a fun anecdote. It proved he can put away Major League hitters. The one knock on Thompson has been that he doesn't have strikeout stuff. Despite his dominant run at Triple-A before making his Major League debut on Saturday against the Dodgers, Thompson didn't fan more than six in a single outing, even while posting a 1.08 ERA over his final eight Triple-A starts. Thompson had so ignored the punchout, he didn't even realize he had completed the rare four-strikeout inning until he was back in the clubhouse icing his arm. "That's definitely a first," Thompson said, which is not surprising, as he had seven starts just this season with fewer strikeouts than he recorded in the second inning. It was hardly a breeze to get there, though. Thompson's first victim wasn't so much a victim as a benefactor. David Dahl swung at and missed a curveball in the dirt and hustled to first. A single and an error brought Dahl home. But Thompson stranded Gerardo Parra and Nick Hundley, the two batters who reached after Dahl's strikeout. Parra and Hundley didn't even advance a bag, as Thompson sent down Ben Paulsen, Daniel Descalso and Jon Gray consecutively on strikes to end the inning and the scoring threat. "A lot better than the first one, that's for sure," Thompson said, reflecting on his debut, when he struck out one and allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings. "I felt more comfortable out there. I was able to spin the ball for more strikes, which I wasn't able to do in my first outing." Although Thompson progressed a mile in one start, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin is still excited about what's to come. Thompson allowed only two hits, but he issued three free passes. "He was a little erratic," Mackanin said. "His command wasn't the greatest, but he battled, and like I said, this is a very tough team. They've got a great offense." Thompson sees greener pastures ahead, too, after picking up his first MLB win. "It's kind of nice to get the first one out of the way," Thompson said. "Hopefully I'll gain more confidence on the mound and keep it rolling."

Phillies Honor Thome – No player on the Phillies' Wall of Fame had a shorter tenure with the Phillies than Jim Thome. But perhaps no player better represented the rebirth of baseball in this city than he did. The Phillies had been perennial doormats in the National League East for years, when former general manager Ed Wade signed Thome to a six-year, $85 million contract in December 2002. "Overnight he changed the way people looked at the Phillies," former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said during Thome's Wall of Fame induction ceremony Friday night at Citizens Bank Park. Thome led the National League with 47 home runs in 2003, as the Phillies fell just short of the National League Wild Card. He hit 42 homers in 2004 and seven more in 2005, finishing the season on the disabled list. Ryan Howard emerged in his shadow, winning the 2005 NL Rookie of the Year. The Phillies traded Thome to the White Sox that winter, but the baseball renaissance he started in Philadelphia did not fade. "I don't think one guy actually comes in and changes things," said Thome, who rejoined the Phillies briefly in 2012. "I think what happens is, if a guy signs, you see other guys follow. And even though you don't see at that moment, say a world championship that season, eventually you're working towards that. When I came here and Ed and Ruben [Amaro Jr.] and Mr. [Bill] Giles and Mr. [David] Montgomery, all those guys kind of told us what the plan was. It put us in a position where we felt really good about what Philadelphia could be. I felt the love in a lot of areas, not only in the organization. You could see there was something special here that was about to emerge." Manuel introduced Thome, who stood alongside fellow Wall of Famers like Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Darren Daulton, Mike Lieberthal, Tony Taylor and Jim Bunning. Former teammate Bobby Abreu unveiled Thome's Wall of Fame plaque. A highlight video captured the excitement of Thome's arrival and his many big moments with the Phillies, including his 400th career home run. Former teammates Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, David Bell and Nick Punto wished Thome congratulations with recorded messages on Phanavision. So did country music star Tim McGraw. Of course, Thome never got his World Series with the Phillies or anybody else over the course of his career. It is perhaps the only thing on his baseball bucket list he could not check off. But Thome still rooted hard for the Phillies, who won the World Series in 2008. He showed up to Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park and watched Game 5 at home. "The business of the game, that's kind of how things work," Thome said. "I moved on, [Howard] got to emerge, which helped the Phillies along with my other teammates that I got to play with. I was just so happy that they were able to accomplish that, because when you play as many games as we do, we're ultimately brothers. You do root for your brothers." And Friday night Thome joined an elite Phillies brotherhood. "You are humbled that they would think that highly of you to put you in a great fraternity," Thome said. "Baseball Hall of Fames -- they just don't give people that honor. To be voted by the fans -- that's something special. I know that I didn't play here long, and I know there are so many guys that are going to be in this that are deserving. I just feel so honored that they would think of me to put me in."

Hoping For A Quick Recovery – The Phillies still need a starter Sunday against the Rockies and possibly one Wednesday against the Dodgers. Triple-A Lehigh Valley left-hander Adam Morgan is an option to start Sunday. The IronPigs scratched him from Friday's start, making him available to face Colorado. Phillies right-hander Jeremy Hellickson said he still has some soreness in his back after leaving Wednesday's game against the Dodgers after the fifth inning. He was scheduled to see a team doctor Friday night, but he thinks he is likely to pitch Wednesday. "It feels better," Hellickson said. "Just a tad sore. All the stuff they had me do today felt fine." The Phillies placed Zach Eflin on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with patellar tendinopathy in his knees. He had a MRI exam scheduled Friday, but those results were not available. It is unclear if Eflin will pitch again this season. "He's had enough good starts where he's been impressive at times," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "And he's had chronic knee issues as it is. If they decide to take care of it now, I think that may be a good idea. But I'll leave that up to the medical people. Bring him back 100 percent next year. We'll see what they say."

Waiver Claim – The Phillies claimed Patrick Schuster off waivers from the A's. and optioned the left-hander to Lehigh Valley. He allowed nine hits, eight runs, six walks and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings in five appearances this season with Oakland. He had a 1.16 ERA in 32 appearances with Triple-A Nashville.

Today In Phils History – It was a record setting day for pitcher Bill Kerksieck and the Phillies on this day in 1939 as the pitcher surrendered 6 homeruns including 4 in 1 inning to tie 2 MLB records. The team turned the tables on the Giants in 1948 as the 1^st 9 Phillies to come to the plate scored before a single out was made setting a new NL record. Karl Wallenda returned to the Vet on this day in 1972 to traverse a cable strung between the foul poles between the games of a double header. On this day in 1985, Darren Daulton hit his 1^st MLB homerun off of the Mets Rick Aguilera. 2 years later, the Cardinals defeat the Phillies 4-2 in 13 innings despite not recording a single OF putout or assist (it was the 1^st time it had happened since 1905). The following season, in 1988, Paul Owens was inducted into the Philadelphia Baseball Hall of Fame (the precursor to the Wall of Fame).

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 54-63 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. All time, the Phillies are 48-49-0 on this day. I expect the Phillies to finish in the bottom half of the division but not last in the NL East by finishing the season with a 77-85 record.

Phillies Finish First Half With A Sweep

GAME RECAP: Giants Sweep Phillies 4-2

Andrew Susac's three-run homer fueled San Francisco's four-run outburst in Sunday's fourth inning, which led the Giants to a 4-2 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies. The outcome completed the Giants' first three-game sweep of Philadelphia at AT&T Park since Sept. 4-6, 2000. Giants rookie Chris Heston yielded Philadelphia's first run and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings while winning his third decision in a row in a span of five starts. Heston has compiled a 2.00 ERA in this stretch. Heston is 9-5 with a 3.39 ERA overall, virtually identical to the corresponding statistics for acknowledged staff ace Madison Bumgarner (9-5, 3.33). Heston said that his "friendly rivalry" with Bumgarner "gives me a guy to chase." The Phillies generated insufficient support for starter Chad Billingsley (1-3). Philadelphia got on the board in the seventh inning as Ryan Howard's bloop single scored Maikel Franco, who made a quick, early break from first base with two outs. Howard had another RBI single in the ninth off Santiago Casilla.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• The Phillies' Ken Giles continued to establish himself as the team's heir to closer Jonathan Papelbon. Giles threw a scoreless eighth inning, making the Giants 3-4-5 hitters look silly with three straight strikeouts. The right-handed flamethrower lowered his season ERA to 1.86.
• The Phillies don't have much history facing Fernandez, but one player who has enjoyed success off him is Freddy Galvis, who is 3-for-6. Chase Utley, who's on the DL, is 2-for-9.
• The Marlins and Phillies will meet for their third series this year, and second in Philadelphia. Miami holds a 4-2 advantage in the season series.
• Dee Gordon, Miami's All-Star second baseman, is not expected to go on the disabled list. The Marlins are aiming to reinstate third baseman Martin Prado (right shoulder) from the DL, and he's a candidate to be a short-term option at second beginning Friday.

NEXT GAME:

After the All-Star break, the club returns home to open a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Friday night. Left-hander Adam Morgan makes his fourth career start as he squares off against the Marlins' Jose Fernandez. Morgan is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in his rookie season. The Marlins' ace, who made both of his first-half starts in Miami, will open the second half against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Friday. Fernandez already has regained his old form, notching wins in each of his first two starts back from Tommy John surgery. While the hard-throwing right-hander has dominated at Marlins Park (14-0, 1.17 ERA) in his career, he has been vulnerable on the road, where he is 4-8 with a 3.93 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in his career in Philadelphia. The Phillies are starting the series off with rookie Adam Morgan, who is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts. The lefty has 12 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings, and this will be his second home start. He's lost back-to-back decisions on the road after opening his career with a 5 2/3-innings win over the Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park on June 21.

PHILS PHACTS:

Crawford Makes An Impression – Shortstop J.P. Crawford, the Phillies' No. 1 prospect according to MLB.com, and right-hander Aaron Nola, ranked second, were teammates Sunday in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Great American Ball Park. The U.S. Team rolled to a 10-1 victory over the World Team before an announced crowd of 43,661 fans. Crawford started and batted second for the U.S. Team. In the third inning his two-out RBI single drove in the tying run and he eventually came around to score. He also made a nice leaping catch of a line drive to rob World Team centerfielder Manuel Margot in the fifth and started a pair of double plays. Nola, who pitched Friday, did not appear in the game. The organization and its vocal fans are hoping it won't be long before the two prospects are together again in Philadelphia, playing an important role in the franchise's rebuilding. In fact, there was a groundswell of support for Nola to be promoted after he posted a 1.88 ERA in his first 12 starts at Double-A Reading this season. The team's 2014 No. 1 Draft choice (seventh overall), out of LSU, has since been promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley where he's 3-0, 2.43 in five starts. It would surprise no one if he makes his Major League debut before the year is over. Crawford, 20, is also on a fast track after being selected out of Lakewood (Calif.) High School with the 16th overall pick in 2013. The Phillies philosophy in recent years has been to go for high school players with high ceilings in the first round. In Nola, they opted for a pitcher who was considered as close to big league ready as any pitcher available last year. He's aware of the speculation that he could be on the verge of being called up. "I try to block that stuff out as best as I can and just focus on my next start," he said. "Wherever they have me I'm going to pitch to the best of my ability. Go out and focus on every start. Right now I'm at Lehigh Valley. There are things every ballplayer has to work on to improve their abilities." Nola and Crawford played together for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers in 2014 and crossed paths at Reading this season after the shortstop was promoted from Clearwater and before Nola was moved up to the IronPigs. This was Crawford's second straight Futures Game appearance and he's pleased with the progress he's made since last season. "I think I've gotten better at everything. I'm stronger. Better defensively and offensively. I think I'm getting better at everything every day," he said. Crawford is impressed with the rotation that started the season at Reading. Not just Nola but Zach Eflin, Tom Windle and Jesse Biddle. "This year was the first time I've seen some of them pitch and they're really good. I love playing behind them and I think we have a lot of the pieces in the organization right now to impact our future," he said.

Time To Evaluate – The Phillies' 4-2 loss to the Giants marks the unofficial end to a forgettable first half of the season for the team with Major League Baseball's worst record. Philadelphia fell to 29-62 with Sunday's defeat at AT&T Park, the most losses in franchise history before the All-Star break. For interim manager Pete Mackanin and his struggling ballclub, the four-day hiatus could not come at a better time. "For us as a team, it's time to regroup and get away for a few days," Chad Billingsley said. Mackanin agreed the team desperately needs the time off to regroup and come back ready to grind out the second half of the year. "Without a doubt it's a great time," Mackanin said Saturday. "Everybody could use a break, regroup. Everybody will start the second half well-rested and hopefully we'll get it together." The Phillies figure to use the second half to evaluate the young talent they have on their roster. Mackanin said to expect his less-experienced players to get time to prove themselves in the latter part of the season. "The younger guys are going to get more chances to play," Mackanin said. "Everybody's got the potential, everybody's got the ability." Despite the team's overall struggles, young players like Maikel Franco, Cesar Hernandez and Ken Giles give the Phillies hope for the future. Franco was named National League Rookie of the Month in June, leading all NL players with 38 hits to go along with his eight home runs and 24 RBIs. Hernandez, 22, has seemingly secured a job as the team's starting second baseman after hitting .280 with 12 stolen bases. Giles looks like the Phillies' closer of the future, and on Sunday, he whiffed the Giants 3-4-5 hitters in the eighth inning. The 24-year-old right-hander owns a 1.51 ERA in his first season and a half in the big leagues with 110 strikeouts in 83 1/3 career innings. "I have to concentrate on those positives and let the guys know that we're headed in the right direction, though our wins and losses don't show it," Mackanin said. While any hope of the Phillies having a successful season evaporated before the break, the team still has something to play for in the second portion of the season. "Our guys are auditioning," Mackanin said Saturday. "We're finding out about them. Little by little, you piece things together and you decide what you need and if they can handle the situation."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 29-62. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance so far this season, this could end up being the worst team in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 40-43-0 on this day.

Phillies Finish Month In Historic Fashion

GAME RECAP: Cardinals Flatten Phillies 9-3

Despite the less-than-desirable debut from lefty Tim Cooney, the Cardinals ended a four-game series against the Phillies with a 9-3 win at Busch Stadium on Thursday behind a blitz attack from the top half of their lineup. In the third straight game featuring Matt Carpenter, Matt Holliday and Matt Adams as the team's No. 2-4 hitters, the Cardinals saw those three combine for seven hits, six runs, two walks and six RBIs. Successive hits by the three in the first inning dropped Phillies starter David Buchanan into a quick three-run hole. "When those guys are swinging the bat well and you have tough at-bats one after another, it just puts the pressure on the pitcher and presents a different look for our lineup," Carpenter said, after reaching base four times. "I think it was a good move that [Cardinals manager] Mike [Matheny] made the other day and it has paid off for us this week." Buchanan (0-5) would be chased in the fifth, which saw Holliday and Adams deliver two more RBI hits. A two-run blast by Adams in third was the biggest of the four extra-base hits the three tallied. Buchanan, with his 4 1/3-inning start, actually lasted longer than Cooney, who was pulled after allowing eight of the 15 batters he faced to reach. He fell behind all but one hitter his first time through the order and was stung by a Darin Ruf homer in the Phillies' two-run third. Philadelphia tied the game against him but then got nothing going against the Cardinals' bullpen. "We've struggled to put up some crooked numbers," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "We haven't been good on some of the bunt attempts to give us some other chances to get some runs. Those are things we can improve on. Everybody will continue to get some opportunities."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Buchanan continues to struggle. He allowed eight hits, seven runs and three walks in just 4 1/3 innings. He finished April at 0-5 with an 8.76 ERA, which is the highest ERA in the Majors. "I just want my team to win a game that I pitch in," said a visibly frustrated Buchanan. "I'm not looking at my record. I just want my team to win when I pitch in a ballgame. I don't care how it happens. 0-for-5 right now. But -- I want my team to be confident when I take that mound. I want to make sure that I start pitching that way."
• Phillies left fielder Ruf made his first start since April 23, and he went 2-for-3 with one home run, one RBI and one walk. Ruf is tied for third on the team with five extra-base hits, despite being a distant ninth in plate appearances.
• "Just try to stay positive. That's all. Try to set a good example. Try to conserve my helmets. The helmets are still alive. Bats? … The helmets are still alive." -- Chase Utley, on how he is keeping his composure following a .114 batting average in April.
• Phillies right-hander Chad Billingsley made his fourth rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He allowed five hits, two unearned runs, one walk and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings. His next start could be next week with the Phillies.
• The Phillies finished April with an 8-15 record, their fewest wins in April since they went 7-17 in 2000. The Cardinals, in contrast, matched their franchise-best 21-game start with 15 wins.
• Ryan Howard tied Fred Luderus for the most games played at first base in franchise history (1,298).
• Phillies left fielder Ben Revere is 8-for-16 in his career against Koehler. Chase Utley (5-for-13) and Ryan Howard (4-for-12) also have had success against the Marlins' right-hander.

NEXT GAME:

The Marlins had an off-day Thursday before facing the Phillies on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Marlins Park. It will be the second meeting this season between the National League East rivals, both of whom are battling to get to .500. The Marlins took two of three games in Philadelphia on April 21-23. Tom Koehler will be trying to notch his third win for the Marlins in the opener, while the Phillies will counter with right-hander Jerome Williams. The Saturday and Sunday games are afternoon contests.

PHILS PHACTS:

Buchanan (0-5) Makes Phillies History – The Phillies hoped to see more from David Buchanan in 2015, but the wait continues. Buchanan had another rough start Thursday afternoon in a 9-3 loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Buchanan allowed eight hits, seven runs, three walks, one home run and struck out one in just 4 1/3 innings as he fell to 0-5 with an 8.76 ERA. "I just want my team to win a game that I pitch in," said a visibly frustrated Buchanan. "I'm not looking at my record. I just want my team to win when I pitch in a ballgame. I don't care how it happens. 0-for-5 right now. But -- I want my team to be confident when I take that mound. I want to make sure that I start pitching that way." Buchanan is the first Phillies pitcher in at least 100 years to finish April at 0-5. Seven Phillies pitchers had finished the month at 0-4, including Jon Lieber (2006), Curt Schilling (1994) and Shane Rawley (1988). "He's trying to make some adjustments," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said about Buchanan. "I thought his last two [starts] showed some signs of improvement. Maybe this was just catching a hot group of hitters at the wrong time, possibly. We'll see. He has to make adjustments and go out there with some adjustments and do better next time." The Cardinals started the bottom of the first inning with four consecutive hits to take a 3-0 lead. The Phillies tied the game in the top of the third, but Matt Adams hit a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the third to give the Cardinals a 5-3 lead. Buchanan allowed two more runs to score in the fifth. Buchanan has allowed 32 hits and 15 walks in just 24 2/3 innings. It has left him with the highest ERA and WHIP (1.91) in the Majors. "It's frustrating," Buchanan said. "I don't like walking guys. It's not what I was known for. I didn't do it in Spring Training and all of a sudden it's happening now. It's got to stop."

Turning The Page On A Historic Month – Chase Utley has tried to remain upbeat in what has been the worst month of his Phillies career. He has tried to set a good example, which sometimes means exercising restraint. "Try to conserve my helmets," Utley said after Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, which dropped the Phillies to 8-15. "Helmets are still alive." What about his bats? "Bats?" Utley said. "The helmets are still alive." Utley finished April hitting .114 (8-for-70) with two home runs, 11 RBIs and a .398 OPS. His batting average ties Roy Sievers for the lowest in April in franchise history (minimum 40 plate appearances). Sievers hit .114 in April 1962. Utley's poor month coincided with the organization's worst April finish since 2002, when the Phillies opened at 9-18 (.333). The eight wins this season were the fewest at the end of April since the team went 7-17 in 2000. Utley said he is hopeful he and his team can turn things around. "As we all know, you need some breaks here and there to get that momentum going as an individual and as a team," he said. "So we haven't really caught those breaks yet, but sometimes it's up to us to make those breaks happen. So we'll kind of see how it goes. The guys are playing hard and we're battling. So that's a good sign." Utley is hitting more ground balls than at any point in his career, which could be a factor in his struggles. His 1.42 ground-ball-to-fly-ball ratio is 0.45 higher than his career average (0.97). But Utley also has run into some bad luck, especially lately. He has a .102 batting average on balls in play, which is the lowest mark of qualified hitters in the Majors. The average big leaguer has a .293 batting average when putting a ball in play. Utley's career average on balls in play is .302. Utley crushed three balls to the warning track in right-center field this week in St. Louis. He has hit other balls hard over the past couple weeks. It just seems those balls are hit at somebody. "It all evens out. That's what they say," Utley said. "So far they haven't. Whoever they are, they say that. You just kind of stick with it. I don't think I've swung the bat as poorly as my numbers show. But by no means have I swung the bat to the best of my capabilities." So Utley is happy to turn the page on April. Bring on May, right? "I'll be honest with you, I didn't know it was the last day of April," he said. "Every day is kind of the same." But maybe he will find the May days and beyond feel a little better.

Just Around The Corner – Phillies right-hander Chad Billingsley made his fourth rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He allowed five hits, two unearned runs, one walk and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings. Billingsley threw 99 pitches (66 strikes). "I thought everything was sharp, located really well with the fastball today, which I didn't have last time out," Billingsley said in a transcript provided by the team. "I was moving my fastball in and out, up and down, which makes it a little easier to pitch. "My arm feels normal, I'm really happy with it. It's been a journey." Billingsley, 30, is recovering from a pair of right elbow surgeries. He has a 4.74 ERA in four rehab starts. It could be his final rehab start, although that remains to be seen. Phillies right-hander Severino Gonzalez will make his second start Sunday against the Marlins in Miami. Billingsley cannot pitch Sunday, but he could rejoin the rotation after that. "It'd be awesome," Billingsley said, when asked what it would mean to make his next start in the big leagues. "It's been a long road with a lot of hard work and a lot of grinding. Just to be pitching at a big league field again and being back out there would be awesome."

Filling In With Power – The Phillies are desperate for power, so they appreciated Darin Ruf's at-bat in the third inning Thursday at Busch Stadium. He crushed a solo home run to left-center field in a 9-3 loss to the Cardinals. Ruf's five extra-base hits are tied with Jeff Francoeur and Ben Revere for third on the team, despite finishing a distant ninth in plate appearances. Ruf has 44 plate appearances. That is 20 fewer than Carlos Ruiz, who is eighth on the list, and eight more than Grady Sizemore, who is 10th on the list. "Trying to keep the routine the same, whether I'm playing or not playing," Ruf said about staying sharp at the plate. "When I'm not I obviously sneak down there [to the batting cage] to get ready in case I have to have an at-bat." Ruf started four consecutive games April 15-18, but he went 2-for-14 with one double, one RBI, one walk and six strikeouts. He has started just twice since, including just once since April 23. He started in left field Thursday and hit third. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said earlier in April that he thinks Ruf could play in right field, although general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. disagreed. Phillies right fielders entered the afternoon with a .473 OPS, which ranked 29th in the Majors. Despite hitting .179 (7-for-39), Ruf has a .660 OPS this season and a .792 OPS in his career. "I'll continue to try to see some guys in different spots and see who's getting hot and also mix and match a little bit," Sandberg said.

Multi-Talented Former Ace – Roy Halladay has been a busy man since he retired from professional baseball. He's been spotted at the zoo and sneaking up on fans at amusement parks, and it looks like his next stop is the circus. The former ace took to Twitter on Thursday to show off a very particular set of skills that don't involve baseball. There's no amount of money we wouldn't pay to see Halladay on a unicycle juggling and racing a clown. In fact, we might even move to nominate that contest as America's new pastime. Any objections? We didn't think so.

THE BEGINNING

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now near the bottom of the NL east at 8-15. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance this spring, don’t expect their competitive place in the standings to last. All time, the Phillies are 45-43-0 on this day.