Pirates Steal Series As Injuries Mount For Phillies

GAME RECAP: Pirates Finish Phillies 5-4

Rookie Adam Frazier couldn't have picked a better time to knock his first Major League home run that nearly reached the Allegheny River. His pinch-hit solo shot to the top of the right-field bleachers broke a tie in the bottom of the seventh inning, leading the Pirates to a 5-4 series win over the Phillies on Sunday at PNC Park. "I figured [right-hander Edubray Ramos] was coming back with a fastball after just missing with two off-speed pitches," Fraizer said. "I got my hands to it and got the barrel out in front." The Pirates overcame a 4-2 Phillies lead in the sixth, courtesy of Matt Joyce's two-run shot to center field, tying it 4. The Bucs have now won four straight series at PNC Park, while the Phillies have gone 4-11 against the Pirates at PNC Park since 2012. Jameson Taillon gave up four runs on eight hits in his six innings with a career-high seven strikeouts. He has gone three straight starts without registering a walk. "He made some mistakes and he paid for them, but he kept us in the game and he really didn't fold or go away," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He stayed on the aggression throughout the outing." Pittsburgh's bullpen worked a scoreless three innings to preserve the one-run lead and eventual win. "We had opportunities the whole series. Especially today's game included, we need some big hits to score," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. With runners on the corners in the seventh, Neftali Feliz whiffed Odubel Herrera with a 97-mph fastball to keep the score tied. Herrera, who went 7-for-13 in the series, tacked on two RBIs on a groundout in the third inning and a solo shot in the sixth.

PHILS PHACTS: 

• In the bottom of the eighth inning, the game was delayed for one hour, 32 minutes, due to rain.
• Phillies third baseman Andres Blanco homered to center field in the first inning, giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead. He later broke his left index finger and is likely headed to the disabled list, so Maikel Franco replaced him at third base, batting third. Franco sat out Saturday's game after being hit in the wrist by Gerrit Cole's pitch on Friday. He hit a single in the eighth inning.
• "It's just a matter of finishing at-bats. You've gotta finish 0-2 counts." -- Phillies starter Vince Velasquez, on giving up the lead in the sixth inning.
• In the third inning, the Phillies claimed Gregory Polanco had interfered while sliding into second base to break up a double play on David Freese's grounder to third base. The Phillies challenged, and the call was overturned, with the Phillies getting the double play.
• In the eighth inning, the Pirates challenged the call ruling Tommy Joseph safe at first base. The call on the field was confirmed: Joseph reached base safely, though Franco was out at second.
• Hellickson (7-7, 3.84) was excellent against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing just one run on five hits and no walks while striking out eight in a 4-1 Phillies win. He has allowed one earned run in four of his past five starts, going 3-1 in that time.
• The 2.40 ERA Cosart has in his career against the Phillies is his best versus any team against which he has made at least three starts.
• Despite sitting well over .500 for the season, the Marlins have struggled playing against their own division. Miami is a combined 29-11 against the National League Central and West divisions but was only 20-27 against East teams. The Marlins have split 10 games with the Phillies so far in 2016.

NEXT GAME:

After a three-day reprieve away from each other, the Phillies and Marlins reconvene Monday at Marlins Park. The National League East division rivals will play for the fifth, sixth and seventh times over a 10-day span -- and for the 11th, 12th and 13th times over the first four months of the regular season. The familiarity, though, won't be as heightened as it would have been if Wei-Yin Chen wasn't a day-before scratch as the Marlins starter. After Chen missed his regular bullpen session on Saturday because of an undisclosed issue, Jarred Cosart will be called up as the fill-in starter. Chen faced Jeremy Hellickson five days prior in Philadelphia, and a rematch was supposed to occur Monday. Cosart had a 4.09 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A New Orleans after an early-season demotion from the Majors. Cosart (0-1, 7.98 ERA) allowed 13 earned runs on 16 hits in 14 2/3 innings upon making the Marlins' Opening Day roster.

PHILS PHACTS:

Blanco Out – Exacerbating a 5-4 loss to the Pirates on Sunday, third baseman Andres Blanco fractured his left index finger and is likely headed to the disabled list. As Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco tried to steal third base in the fifth inning, Blanco took a throw from catcher Carlos Ruiz and made a move to tag Polanco with his left glove hand. Blanco's hand was crunched between the spikes of Polanco's left cleat and the bag. Manager Pete Mackanin said Blanco's finger took four stitches and will be re-examined before they determine if surgery is needed to further clean up the wound. Not only do the Phillies lose a quality player, but the injury comes at a bad time, with the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline looming. "That's gonna hurt us, because we always could rely on him to play solid defense, come up with big hits for us," Mackanin said. "Plays anywhere, anywhere we put him he plays solid defense. Great guy to have around. "Hopefully it will be shorter than we think it might be. It's definitely a blow," Mackanin said. Maikel Franco, who took a pitch off his left wrist on Friday and sat out Saturday, took Blanco's place in the fifth inning. Third baseman Taylor Featherston, who is already on the 40-man roster, was not in Triple-A Lehigh Valley's lineup on Sunday against Louisville, and is a potential callup to replace Blanco. Before his injury, Blanco sent a solo shot to center field off Jameson Taillon in the first inning, putting the Phillies ahead, 1-0. Blanco has hit .271 this season with 21 RBIs.

Precautionary Day Off – Getting hit by pitches has limited two Phillies players in their series with the Pirates. Maikel Franco was hit on the left wrist by Gerrit Cole on Friday, and did not play Saturday as a precaution, though X-rays came back negative. He entered Sunday's game in the fifth inning, replacing Andres Blanco at third base and batting third. Cameron Rupp was hit in the head with a pitch by Tyler Glasnow on Saturday, with the ball hitting the flap of his helmet and impacting his cheek. Rupp avoided any broken bones or a concussion, but both were out of Sunday's lineup as a precautionary measure. Franco fractured his wrist in the same place last season, but has been icing and wrapping the wrist to ease any soreness. "It's probably just precaution, because I think I'm available to play if needed," Rupp said. "You get hit in the head, you want to take a little more precaution than if it was another part of your body." Blanco was also hit in the sixth inning of Friday's game by Cole, and Arquimedes Caminero pegged Tommy Joseph in the seventh. Pitcher Aaron Nola was hit on his left knuckles by a Glasnow fastball on Saturday, but he continued to pitch. With so many Phillies players getting hit by pitches in the series, there's a question about whether the Phillies feel the need to retaliate -- though Zach Eflin did pop Andrew McCutchen in the lower back after Franco was hit Friday. "That's not for me to say," Rupp said. "[It's not good] to have two guys out of the lineup that are normally in there. But that's just something that whatever happens, happens." Rupp doesn't believe Glasnow did anything on purpose, as the ball can get away from everyone sometimes. But the Pirates are known for pitching inside, which can be dangerous if not done properly. "You play against these guys all during Spring Training," Rupp said. "They do the same thing there. They preach about pitching inside, which, like I said, is fine. But like I said, you've gotta be able to pitch inside. You've got to throw it in there and not hit guys."

Texas Pursuing A Phillies Pitcher (Again!) – The Rangers' search for a young controllable starter continues, leading up to the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Texas was linked Monday to Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez and Royals righty Edinson Volquez. MLB.com's Jon Morosi reported the Rangers' interest in Velasquez, while the Dallas Morning News reported the club's front-office inner circle watched Volquez on Sunday. Morosi reported the price to acquire Velasquez would be high. The Rangers have not commented on the reports. The 24-year-old is 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 17 starts for the Phils this season, striking out 103 batters in 91 2/3 innings. Velasquez is under team control through the 2021 season and was one of several pieces acquired by Philadelphia from Houston this offseason in the Ken Giles trade. The Rangers and Phillies are familiar with each other, as they pulled off a blockbuster before last season's deadline. Texas acquired left-hander Cole Hamels, Jake Diekman and cash considerations from Philadelphia for Jorge Alfaro, Jake Thompson, Nick Williams, Alec Asher, Jerad Eickhoff and Matt Harrison. Volquez, 33, is 8-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 21 starts this season, but he has a 2.84 ERA in his last five starts. He has a $10 million mutual option for next season or a $3 million buyout. Volquez began his career with Texas before being traded to Cincinnati in 2007 for Josh Hamilton. He made his lone All-Star appearance the following season and has a 4.32 ERA in 12 years with the Rangers, Reds, Padres, Dodgers, Pirates and Royals. The Rangers have reportedly shown interest in several young controllable pitchers, including the White Sox Chris Sale and the Rays' trio of Chris Archer, Matt Moore and Jake Odorizzi. Although they'd be open to a rental, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said they'd prefer a longer-term option. "I think the only real change is I was hoping we wouldn't consider a rental," Daniels said Sunday. "In my mind, we are open to longterm controllable acquisitions like Cole [Hamels] and down the line. It's still not my preference, but I'd be open to it." 

Congratulations Piazza and Griffey! – To punctuate close to an hour of combined speeches by this year's pair of inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Ken Griffey Jr. turned around his cap to end the Sunday proceedings. Mike Piazza spoke to his Italian immigrant father, Vince, in his native language, thanking him and Italy for giving him his dad. There were more than 50,000 people sprawled out on the lawns far and away beyond the tented stage behind the Clark Sports Center decked out in Mets blue and Mariners teal, tying the second-largest turnout in induction history. And there were enough tears from the participants to easily fill a bucket. "The actual thing about talking in front of 50,000 wasn't bad," said Griffey, the son of Ken Griffey Sr., a two-time World Series winner with the Reds in 1975-76. "The thing is I made the mistake of looking down at my kids in the front row. I remember everybody saying, 'Don't look at your kids, don't look at your kids until you have to.' "Nope, not me. You know what they say when you're a kid? 'Don't do that, don't do that.' What do you do? You do it anyway." Griffey also said it wasn't his idea to don a cap in the style that was his signature during a 22-year career when he hit 630 homers for the Mariners, Reds and White Sox. He gave the credit (or blame) to now Hall of Fame contemporary Frank Thomas. Thomas had the inspiration when the group arrived at the grounds just before the ceremony began. Griffey acquiesced and said he had to get a Hall of Fame fitted model that belonged to one of his sons. "That really wasn't my idea," said Junior, the first No. 1 Draft pick ever inducted into the Hall. "That was from a guy who happened to play for Chicago and Oakland and cried the entire time through his speech. So him being a veteran of the Hall of Fame, I took his veteran leadership and decided to do it." As far as Piazza was concerned, he paced his speech accordingly and decided to leave loving thoughts to his family for last. Piazza praised Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, the man who urged the Dodgers to pick him in the 62nd round -- 1,390th overall -- in the 1988 Draft when he managed that ballclub. He sent his best wishes to Bobby Valentine, a Lasorda acolyte, who managed the Mets into a five-game loss to the Yankees in the 2000 Subway World Series. Piazza, who is the lowest-drafted player enshrined in Cooperstown, said he was moved by the fact that the current baseball team from Phoenixville High School -- where the right-handed slugger played as a teen -- made the four-hour trek from Pennsylvania for the festivities. He also showed a lot of love to Mets fans. "Any time I come to New York and see the fans, it's like coming home," Piazza said. "Their energy and the way they receive me has always given me adrenaline." Piazza's father may not have been as famous as the elder Griffey, but he was no less influential. To his father, whose friendship with Lasorda paved the way to Piazza hitting 427 homers in the Majors -- a record 396 of them as a catcher -- and into the Hall of Fame, Piazza translated the Italian: "I said, basically, 'Many thanks to Italy for giving me the gift of my father. Infinite thanks.' As I've said many times before, that was the one thing when I was a kid my father instilled in me." A love of baseball and Italy. "As a kid you don't think much of it," he added. "But when you get older you reconnect. He was a big fan of [Joe] DiMaggio. I was obviously paying my respects to Yogi [Berra] today. He was on my mind as well. One thing I'm very proud of is the great Italian-American ballplayers and Hall of Famers that are here." Griffey, of course, came from a different place and time. His father was a 29th-round selection by the Reds in the 1969 Draft and went on to play 19 seasons. His was a baseball family and that fact alone gave Griffey a foot up with his new team of Hall of Famers as far as any hazing might be concerned. "I had time to do some research and I have some information about these guys that they probably don't want out," he said with a glint in his eyes. Griffey's speech was heavily directed toward his family and many of the Mariners, whom he played with during his initial iteration from 1989-99. Griffey returned to Seattle to finish his career in 2009-10. Edgar Martinez, the Mariners' current hitting coach and a top designated hitter during the Griffey era, took the day off from the ballpark and was in the audience. Griffey gave him a shout out for election to the Hall. Martinez remains on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot. The Mariners had a huge contingent of past and present executives at the ceremony and staged a private party for Griffey at the Fenimore Art Museum in town on Saturday night. Mets owners Fred Wilpon and his son, Jeff, were also at the festivities to honor Piazza. Griffey said he didn't get to spend too much time with his father this weekend. "This is the first time I saw him today," Griffey said. "He's been ripping and running around town just like everybody else in my family. When I saw him is when I got on the stage. We had a chance to talk [on the phone]. He just said, 'Just go out, have fun and enjoy yourself. I'm here for you.' And then he hung up. A typical dad thing." The crowd was not so atypical. It matched the 1999 induction of Robin Yount, George Brett and Nolan Ryan, but fell far short of the 80,000 that flooded the town for the 2007 deliverance of Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Each induction has its own tone and flavor. Last year, there was a decided Dominican feel to the throng of 45,000 as Pedro Martinez was among the four inductees. Montreal natives once waded out on these same fields, waving the white and red Canadian flag the years when Gary Carter and Andre Dawson were the only members of the now-defunct Expos to be inducted. But an element of all this is certain. It's one thing to play in front of a crowd of 50,000 and quite another to look out from the stage on that kind of assemblage and have to address it. "It was absolutely nerve-wracking," Piazza said. "It's not easy, but as a player you have to find a way to focus and get into your game mode. I was joking with Ken a little bit before we got on stage: 'Come on, we've got this, we've got this.' We were talking like we were going out to play. But nothing can prepare you for the emotions that you feel."

Today In Phils History – In 1924, George Harper hit an inside the park homerun at the Baker Bowl to seal the victory against Chicago. In the first game of a double header in 1948, Richie Ashburn hit into his only double play of the season setting a franchise record for fewest by a regular position player. 2 years later, the Phillies swept a double header in Chicago to take 1^st place in the league which they would hold on to for the remainder of the season. 30 years later, in 1980, Mike Schmidt hit 2 homeruns in the 1^st game of a double header against the Dodgers to set a new franchise record for career homeruns (261) passing Del Ennis. Ryan Madson had an interesting start I 2006 as in the 3^rd inning against Arizona he tied a MLB record by throwing 4 wild pitches (on top of hitting 2 batters and walking 5) but still only allowed 2 runs over 4 innings in the extra inning loss. It was on this day last year, in his final start as a Phillie, when Cole Hamels threw a no hitter against the Cubs. Finally, Happy 45^th Birthday to former Phillies closer Billy Wagner!

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 45-55 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. All time, the Phillies are 43-59-0 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 Continue To Falter In Second Half

GAME RECAP: Marlins Manhandle Phillies 9-3

The Marlins are bringing plenty of confidence into a big series this weekend at home against the Mets. They beat the Phillies on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park, 9-3, to win three games in the four-game series. After opening the second half of the season by going 5-2 on a seven-game road trip, Miami has moved within 4 1/2 games of the Nationals in the National League East, while maintaining a 1 1/2-game lead over the Mets for the second NL Wild Card. "One of the things you worry about, going into the break, we were playing pretty good," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "One of the things we talked about as a team was that we really needed to be ready to play when we start the second half." Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich sparked a four-run fourth inning when he hit a solo home run to left field, and Ichiro Suzuki picked up the 2,995th and 2,996th hits of his big league career with an infield single in the third and a single to right in the eighth. "It's been fun," Mattingly said. "It'd be a little different if we knew he was going to play every day, because you know it's just a matter of one day or something like that. But in our situation, it might not be that quick, or it could be quick. But it's been fun. He's been a great guy to watch." Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler allowed only two hits over eight masterful innings -- on homers by Ryan Howard in the fourth and Freddy Galvis in the eighth -- and also had an RBI single. The Phillies had high hopes entering the second half, but they have lost five of seven since the All-Star break, scoring just 17 runs on the homestand. "I've been concerned about the hitting all year," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "It's a constant issue that we have to improve upon."

PHILS PHACTS: 

• After allowing a career-high eight runs in 5 1/3 innings July 9 in Colorado, he allowed nine hits Thursday and has an 8.27 ERA in his last three starts. Mackanin thought Eickhoff needed to throw his curveball more, especially in the four-run fourth inning. Eickhoff agreed. "Looking back after the outing was over, there were definitely times I could have used it more," he said. "It was just unfortunate I wasn't able to realize that myself and throw that more in the game in that fourth inning."
• Howard began his day in South Philadelphia, where the Phillies named their new Urban Youth Academy the "Ryan Howard Training Center." A few hours later, he hit his 14th homer. Howard and fellow first baseman Tommy Joseph have combined for 27 home runs this season.
• "I don't know man, it's crazy. We were talking about it. I don't know if we try to do too much here at home, but every time we go on the road, we click, man. Everything goes good, you know? I don't know if it's a little bit of us trying to do too much here. And if we're trying to do too much, it's not going to happen. We have to just let it go and do what we have to do, and that's it." -- Galvis, on the Phillies averaging 2.9 runs per game at home compared to 4.3 runs per game on the road.
• Entering Thursday, the Phillies ranked fifth in runs (228) and eighth in batting average (.260) on the road.
• In the past two series at PNC Park, the Pirates have swept the Phillies twice, outscoring them, 23-9.
• Pirates left fielder Starling Marte was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to flu-like symptoms and replaced with Matt Joyce, who played right field and hit a three-run homer. Gregory Polanco moved over to left.

NEXT GAME:

In his second start since coming off the disabled list, Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole will try to return to form Friday in the series opener against the Phillies at PNC Park. After spending over a month on the DL with a right triceps strain, Cole returned July 16 against the Nationals, allowing five runs (four earned) in four innings. Before suffering the injury June 10, Cole had gone 5-3 over 11 starts after starting the season with two straight losses. In four career starts against the Phillies, he's 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA. The Phillies will counter with rookie righty Zach Eflin, who is 2-3 with a 4.14 ERA in his first seven starts. Since giving up nine runs on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings in his debut, Eflin has five quality starts and pitched a complete game against Atlanta on July 5.

PHILS PHACTS:

Second Half Stumbles – The Phillies' high hopes for the second half have suffered a setback. They exited the All-Star break believing they could make a long-shot run at a National League Wild Card. Why not, they said? But after the Phillies managed just three hits and Jerad Eickhoff struggled Thursday night in a 9-3 loss to the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park, they have lost five of seven games since the break to fall to 44-53 and nine games behind the Marlins for the second Wild Card. "I'm not giving up hope for that Wild Card, because I've seen us better," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. But the Phillies still have to play 30 more games at home this season, which is not necessarily a good thing. They scored just 17 runs in the seven-game homestand against the Mets and Marlins, and they are hitting .218 with a .627 OPS and averaging just 2.9 runs per game at home. Their runs-per-game average ranks last in baseball, a half-run worse than the Braves. Conversely, the Phillies are hitting .260 with a .724 OPS and averaging 4.3 runs per game on the road, which ranks 22nd. "I don't know, man, it's crazy," said shortstop Freddy Galvis, who hit a solo home run in the eighth. "We were talking about it. I don't know if we try to do too much here at home, but every time we go on the road, we click, man. Everything goes good, you know? I don't know, it's crazy. "We don't hit the ball that good. I don't know if it's a little bit of us trying to do too much here. And if we're trying to do too much, it's not going to happen. We have to just let it go and do what we have to do, and that's it." The Phillies' pitching had been pretty good in the first six games of the homestand, posting a 2.84 ERA. But Eickhoff allowed nine hits, six runs (five earned runs) and struck out six in five innings. He threw two wild pitches and hit a batter in a four-run fourth inning. "Eickhoff, he's got one of the best curveballs in baseball," Mackanin said. "I didn't think he used it enough, especially in that fourth inning. It's a really good pitch for him. He got away from it for some reason." Eickhoff agreed with Mackanin's assessment. "Looking back after the outing was over, there were definitely times I could have used it more," he said. "It was just unfortunate I wasn't able to realize that myself and throw that more in the game in that fourth inning." Eickhoff can incorporate the curveball into his next start next week in Miami. But can the Phillies' offense pick it up on the road? "I've been concerned about the hitting all year," Mackanin said. "It's a constant issue that we have to improve upon. If we improved our hitting, we would have won more games."

Keeping An Open Mind – General manager Matt Klentak said the Phillies have been "very active" with trade discussions over the past few days. That is not surprising, because they have a host of players who could help a contender. The list begins with Jeremy Hellickson, Peter Bourjos and Jeanmar Gomez. Of course, Klentak acknowledged that many of the Phillies' conversations have led nowhere. But while he said Thursday that he would not handicap the chances of a trade before the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline, it would be very surprising if the Phillies remained status quo. "We're open-minded to ways to improve our club, both for now and into the future," Klentak said. The Phillies have incentives to move Hellickson, Bourjos and Gomez. Hellickson and Bourjos are free agents after the season, and moving them would allow the Phillies to get a longer look at Triple-A Lehigh Valley right-hander Jake Thompson, their No. 2 prospect who is 6-0 with a 0.58 ERA in his last nine starts; outfielder Aaron Altherr, whose rehab assignment ends Wednesday; and possibly Lehigh Valley outfielder Nick Williams, who is the organization's third-ranked prospect. Gomez is having a nice season as a closer, but the Phillies might want to move the former middle reliever while his stock is highest, especially because they have internal options to replace him in Hector Neris and Edubray Ramos. But Klentak insists the Phillies are not pressured to trade anybody, which is true only in the sense they will not give away players just to make room for their prospects. They want something of value in return. "Sometimes when you feel compelled to make a trade, that's when you make a bad trade," Klentak said. "But I will say that it helps when we have players in the Minor Leagues who are putting themselves in position to be able to contribute and potentially back-fill an opening. That gives me more confidence as I enter the trade market. "I can also envision a scenario where a lot of the guys are still here and the prospects are still in Triple-A. We're open to it." Thompson seems to be the closest to a promotion, especially with so many teams interested in Hellickson. Williams and shortstop J.P. Crawford -- the club's top prospect -- seem likely to be September callups. "We will make a spot if we need to," Klentak said. "But right now we haven't felt the need to create a spot. So we just have to see if it naturally evolves that way." Trade talks seem to naturally evolve into something tangible shortly before the Trade Deadline. It always has been that way, and it might be no different this year. So while Klentak sounded like nothing is imminent, it seems something will happen. "There's been quite a lot of action on a number of players," he said. "I take it as a very positive sign that other clubs have interest in a lot of our players. And it's not just the pending free agents. This time of year there are plenty of teams fishing on our younger more controllable players, too -- who I don't have any great desire to trade. But that doesn't stop a lot of the GMs from calling and asking about them. "I think that's a good sign, it kind of confirms what we all see with our eyes, that we've got some pretty darn good young players on this team."

Honoring Howard – Ryan Howard's baseball future beyond this season is unclear. His physical presence in the only city he's called home during his exemplary career is not. The new Phillies Urban Youth Academy was formally unveiled Thursday, and it was announced that the facility will be called the Ryan Howard Training Center. The first baseman won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2005 and the NL Most Valuable Player Award in '06, when he hit 58 home runs to establish the franchise's single-season record. "It's been our passion to give back to our community, especially when it relates to baseball and education," Howard said, standing next to his wife, Krystle, at the dais. "It's an extreme honor to be part of something we hope will help thousands and thousands of kids." Howard then turned from the audience filled with dignitaries -- including Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney, councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Phillies chairman David Montgomery and Major League Baseball's vice president for youth and facility development Darrell Miller -- to address the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) travel teams that were standing in the back of the room. "Always believe in your dreams and make them your priority," Howard told them. "This facility is an open door for every baseball player and softball player to follow their dreams. ... Please take advantage, have fun and always believe in yourselves." In addition to the complex in the shadows of the Center City skyline, players have access to the field complex at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park near Citizens Bank Park that was opened last year. The 7,500-square-foot training center was added to the existing Marian Anderson Recreation Center, and it includes four retractable batting cages, plus space for fitness training, educational and vocational programs. It will be utilized by more than 8,000 boys and girls. The Howards were honored for their contributions through the Ryan Howard Big Piece Foundation. The project was also supported by MLB, the Phillies, Phillies Charities, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mayor Kenney, who grew up in South Philadelphia, remembered playing baseball in the streets as a kid until the cover came off the ball, taping it up and then playing some more. "This is what our children deserve," Kenney said, indicating the state-of-the-art facility. "Every precious child is put on this earth to meet his potential. And that potential can't be met if they don't have the resources they need." Kenney also pointed out that Howard's contributions toward rehabilitating the baseball fields in the city's Hunting Park neighborhood triggered further improvements, and crime has decreased 89 percent in the area. Several speakers mentioned that the Phillies are known for their community spirit, and Montgomery also reflected the feelings of those who have been involved since the project was first conceived in 2007. "The first word that comes to mind is 'finally,'" Montgomery said, eliciting knowing chuckles from the audience. "This is an exciting day for the Phillies. A long journey has come to a very, very successful conclusion." Miller has been closely involved in the effort since the beginning. "It's an honor to see a dream accomplished," Miller said. Miller followed that with an eloquent riff on how baseball mirrors everyday life, and he concluded with the observation that the most important single word in the English language is "we." "We did it," Miller said. "And we're not done." "I don't think there's been anything like this in my long tenure as a city official," added Philadelphia managing director Michael DiBerardinis. "This is about opportunity to grow and learn in your neighborhood." DiBerardinis cited a survey that found the playing surfaces at FDR Park are the best playing fields in the northeastern United States. After the speeches, Howard was presented a framed bat signed by the senior members of the Phillies' RBI program, and he threw the pitch for the "first hit" in the new batting cages. "I want [the young people] to know I believe in them," Howard said. "Why? Because I was just like them."

Ichiro Inching Closer – Ichiro Suzuki and the Marlins were scheduled to land back in Miami around 3 a.m. ET on Friday, following a 9-3 win over the Phillies. By the time they hit the road again, there are overwhelming odds it will be with more than just a few wins against National League East and Wild Card rivals. Suzuki on Thursday slapped a pair of singles to move him within four hits of becoming the 30th Major Leaguer to reach 3,000. He returns home for 10 games at Marlins Park with 2,996 hits. It would not be surprising if he reached the milestone even before a weekend series with the Mets is over. Miami wrapped up a 5-2 road trip to start the second half on Thursday. "I heard that Donnie [Mattingly, Marlins manager] said I was going play for seven more years," Ichiro said, with a smile, through interpreter Allen Turner. "I should be able to get four more in seven years." It may not even take seven games. All Mattingly has to do is put Ichiro in the lineup. In four of his past five starts, Ichiro has recorded at least two hits, including Thursday and a 3-for-4 game on Sunday against the Cardinals. After an infield single in the third, he nearly added another in the sixth, when second baseman Andres Blanco and first baseman Ryan Howard made a nice play to retire him. It's no secret that the Marlins would like him to reach 3,000 in front of the home crowd -- Mattingly said "probably" with a chuckle, when asked if he'd take him out with a 5-for-5 start to Thursday's game. Mattingly has put Ichiro atop the lineup card only five times in the past 17 games. But he could see that many starts just over this homestand. "It's been fun," Mattingly said. "It'd be a little different if we knew he was going to play every day, because you know it's just a matter of one day or something like that. But in our situation, it might not be that quick, or it could be quick. But it's been fun. He's been a great guy to watch." While it's very likely that No. 3,000 will come in Miami, it remains to be seen with what flair Ichiro will do it. Will he join the last two to reach the milestone, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, by putting the ball over the wall? Or will he do it in a manner more apropos to his career, the same way he got his 2,995th and countless other hits -- by legging out an infield single? Regardless, there is almost certainly history to be made, in addition to a pennant race with games against the Mets and Cardinals, at Marlins Park over the next 10 games.

Today In Phils History – In a 1918 exhibition game to benefit the family of William Weart, a Philadelphia sportswriter and editor who died during the 1917-1919 flu pandemic, the Phillies only recorded 1 hit in a 1-0 loss against the Athletics. George Harper was sent back to the dugout in 1925, and later struck out on 3 pitches, when umpires found nails in his bat. 5 years later, pitcher Phil Collins hit homeruns in consecutive at bats against Pittsburgh. Eddie Sawyer, who was working for a golf ball company at the time, returned for his second tour with the Phillies in 1958 replacing Mayo Smith at manager. In 1964, 1B Danny Carter broke his arm in a collision with Joe Torre. 2 years later, on the same day that the Phillies sold Dallas Green to the Mets, Gaylord Perry fan 15 Phillies to set a new Giants record. 3 years later, Phillies owners Bob and Ruly Carpenter, GM John Quinn, manager Bob Skinner, and players Grant Jackson and Mike Ryan represented the Phillies during President Richard Nixon’s White House reception commemorating the 100^th anniversary of baseball. With a single off of the Giants’ Matt Cain, Shane Victorino became the 1^st player born in Hawaii to reach the 1,000 career hit milestone. Finally, happy birthday to Sparky Lyle (1944) and Mike Sweeney (1973).

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 44-53 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. All time, the Phillies are 53-57-1 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.

Frenchie Come Through Again in Extra Innings

GAME RECAP: Phillies Outlast Cubs 5-3

Cody Asche hit a game-tying double in the ninth inning and Jeff Francoeur smacked a two-run homer with two outs in the 10th to lift the Phillies to a 5-3 victory Friday over the Cubs in front of 41,230 at Wrigley Field. The Phils tied the game at 3 with one out in the ninth against Jason Motte when Freddy Galvis tripled and scored on Asche's double. It was Motte's first blown save of the season. In the 10th, Cesar Hernandez singled and two outs later Francoeur connected against Rafael Soriano for his ninth home run. "Ruin other teams," Francoeur said, asked if the last-place Phillies would like to play spoiler in the second half. "That's what you want to do. At this point, that's why you want to play." Chicago starter Jon Lester was in line for the win after serving up two runs over seven innings, but he did not get a decision. In five starts in July, the left-hander has a 1.58 ERA, allowing six earned runs over 35 1/3 innings. "If there's anything we didn't do well, it's get the hit when we needed it," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of his team, which was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, stranding 10. "The opportunities were there."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Francoeur's last eight days have been pretty memorable. He hit a pinch-hit three-run homer July 17 in a 6-3 victory over Miami and a walk-off two-run homer Sunday in an 8-7 victory over Miami before hitting the game-winner Friday against Cubs reliever Rafael Soriano. "The last year and the year before, I was always in my own head trying to do too much," Francoeur said. "Now it's just, 'Show up and have fun.' So far it's working out."
• Lester and Cubs catcher David Ross thought they struck out Asche on a pitch in the fourth inning, but home-plate umpire Tony Randazzo thought differently. Asche took advantage and hit a two-out double off the center-field wall to score two runs and hand the Phillies a 2-1 lead. Asche then doubled into the ivy in center field with one out in the ninth to score Galvis to tie the game. "The most important guy on the field didn't think it was a strike," Lester said. "You have to go back to making pitches. The cutter didn't quite get all the way down and away like we wanted it. It wasn't a terrible pitch, but it wasn't ideal."
• The last time Jerome Williams pitched for the Phillies, Bob McClure was waving a white towel to get the attention of the Phillies' bullpen at Oriole Park because the phone was off the hook. Williams injured himself in that game, and he returned to face the Cubs. He allowed six hits, three runs, one walk, two home runs and struck out four in six innings. It was his furth quality start in 15 outings this season. "I'm flushing that first half down the toilet," said Williams, who is 3-7 with a 6.28 ERA. "It's a new half. I just want to go about my business and try to finish strong."
• "A big play by [Maikel] Franco with the bases loaded. What a play. Fantastic play. It saved a run." -- Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin, on Franco's barehanded effort to end the eighth inning with the bases loaded.
• Third baseman Maikel Franco returned to the lineup Friday after being pulled from Monday's game because of a sore right elbow. "He's fine," Mackanin said. "It wasn't as serious as we thought it could be."
• Mackanin said he does not have an official No. 1 catcher at the moment. Cameron Rupp has started 15 games since June 20. Carlos Ruiz has started 12. "We want to see Rupp as much as we can," Mackanin said. "We know what Chooch is and what he has been."
• Right-hander Aaron Harang is on the DL with plantar fasciitis. He said he could begin a rehab assignment early next week.

NEXT GAME:

Saturday's 4:05 p.m. ET contest against the Cubs could be Cole Hamels' final start in a Phillies uniform. The Phils would like to trade him before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, but he needs to help himself. He has a 19.89 ERA in his last two starts. Jake Arrieta will make his 20th start of the season on Saturday in the second game of this three-game series. Arrieta is riding a stretch of six consecutive quality starts, and is 5-0 with a 0.96 ERA in that stretch with 44 strikeouts over 46 2/3 innings.

PHILS PHACTS:

Thriving In The Clutch – Jeff Francoeur said again Friday that he would like to stay in Philadelphia and even rejoin the Phillies next season. But he sure keeps playing like somebody who could help a contender down the stretch. Francoeur hit a two-out, two-run home run in the 10th inning of a 5-3 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. It was his third big homer in eight days as the Phillies improved to 6-1 since the All-Star break. "I enjoy it here. I enjoy these guys," Francoeur said. "I enjoy playing with the young guys, and I would like to be part of this thing next year. I enjoy the role I'm in right now. It's fun coming here knowing that even when you don't play, there's a good chance you'll pinch-hit and have a chance to help the team win." Francoeur hit a pinch-hit three-run shot in the eighth inning of a 6-3 victory over the Marlins on July 17 at Citizens Bank Park. He then hit a walk-off two-run home run in an 8-7 victory Sunday over the Marlins. Francoeur is hitting .265 (52-for-196) with 11 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 33 RBIs and a .767 OPS in 73 games. He is hitting .417 (8-for-17) with two doubles, one home run and nine RBIs as a pinch-hitter. These past eight days have been some of Francoeur's best in the big leagues in a few years. "Absolutely," Francoeur said. "I remember when we were in Spring Training, I'd hear Charlie [Manuel]. The one thing he'd try to get back in me was confidence and relaxing myself. And when you're doing that, you give yourself an opportunity so you can kind of get out of your own way. The last year and the year before, I was always in my own head trying to do too much. Now it's just, 'Show up and have fun.' So far it's working out." Frenchy's teammates are enjoying his renaissance. "The pinch-hitting ... home-run hitting ... kiss stealin' ... wheelin' dealin' ... son of a gun ... woo!" Jonathan Papelbon belted in the tiny visitors' clubhouse after the game, rewording the Ric Flair speech that plays whenever Papelbon enters the game at Citizens Bank Park. "Woo!" a few teammates responded.

Papelbon Continues To Audition – Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon almost looked like a salesman Friday at Wrigley Field. He chatted up Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer hours before he earned his 17th save in 17 opportunities in a 5-3 victory over Chicago. In between those friendly conversations with his old buddies from Boston, the Cubs' bullpen allowed the tying run to score in the ninth inning and the winning runs to score in the 10th. Chicago fell into a tie with the Giants for the second National League Wild Card spot. They could have used that victory. The Cubs, who are closing by committee, could have used somebody like Papelbon, although if they have any interest in him, it is minimal. "I don't need to make a sales pitch," Papelbon said. "I asked about their families. There was nothing like, 'Hey, what do you have going on here? Come get me.' Nothing like that. Those are guys that will be baseball friends forever. I'm not going to go over there and beg and make a sales pitch to them. They know me. "I'm just going out there to compete. There's not much else on my mind. How many more days to the Deadline?" It's next Friday. "We've got a week," Papelbon said. "I'm a robot, you know what I mean? I just do my job."

It All Comes Down To One Start – Cole Hamels has had one heck of a career, but in the past week, the Phillies and Hamels have had to remind people about it. Hamels is scheduled to make his final start before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline on Saturday afternoon against the Cubs, unless somebody skips a turn in the rotation and he pitches Thursday. He needs a good one, too. Hamels has posted a 19.89 ERA in his past two starts, and he has allowed five or more runs in six of 19 starts this season. Only four pitchers have had more five-plus-run starts this season (Shane Greene, Kyle Lohse, Kyle Kendrick and John Danks). "I expect to see him pitch like himself every time he goes out," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said Friday. "The last two outings were hopefully an anomaly. The stuff was there. The command wasn't. You know what he's capable of doing." But if Hamels produces another clunker, it is hard to imagine a contending team giving up a couple top prospects for him, regardless of his career numbers. "If I were with another team, I would just be looking at the stuff," Mackanin said. The Phils could wait until the offseason to deal Hamels, who has been linked to the Dodgers, Cubs, Rangers, Red Sox and others. Keep an eye on Texas. Disgruntled closer Jonathan Papelbon also could stick around, which would be fascinating to watch if it happens. He has made it incredibly clear he wants out of Philadelphia. Papelbon chatted up Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer before Friday's game. Chicago had expressed some interest in Papelbon, and both front-office members know him from their time with Boston, but it does not mean anything is cooking. "One thing about Pap, he's a bit peculiar, as we all know," Mackanin said. "But when he goes on the mound, he does his job. He's a fierce competitor. We don't worry about him when he's on the mound." Of course, one wonders if Papelbon's public criticisms of the Phillies over the years could make some general managers and owners tentative about acquiring him. Papelbon generally has been fine in Philadelphia's clubhouse, but perception may become reality. Could Papelbon become a disruption if he remains with the team on Aug. 1? "It's a consideration. Apparently, he would like to be traded. He's come out and said it," Mackanin said. "If not, we'll just have to wait and see."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 35-63. 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 43-59-0 on this day.