Former Braves Lead Phillies In Win Over Atlanta

GAME RECAP: Phillies Beat Braves 5-2

Aaron Harang extended his mastery of the Braves and benefited from the three first-inning runs the Phillies tallied against Alex Wood during Monday night's 5-2 win at Turner Field. Harang, who rejuvenated his career with Atlanta last year, limited his former club to one run over six innings. The 36-year-old right-hander had completed 18 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings against the Braves until Andrelton Simmons tripled and scored on Freddie Freeman's single in the sixth inning. "He said he was a little bit pumped up," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said of Harang. "He was a little excited." After surrendering four hits during his 27-pitch first inning, Wood kept the Phillies scoreless over the remainder of his 4 1/3-inning stint. But the young southpaw labored throughout this 90-pitch effort and was lifted after surrendering consecutive one-out singles in the fifth inning. "It's tough to have that happen in the first inning," Wood said. "It takes a lot out of guys right out of the gate. It's hard to give up three in the first and expect guys to come back and score enough runs for us to win the ballgame."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Before Monday's outburst, the Phillies had scored just five runs in the first inning the entire season, tying the Brewers for the fewest in baseball. The Phillies did most of their damage with two outs, including hits from Darin Ruf, Jeff Francoeur and Carlos Ruiz and a Cesar Hernandez walk.
• Francoeur entered the night hitless in his previous 19 at-bats, but he got going against his former team.The suburban Atlanta native, who played for the Braves from 2005-09, went 4-for-5, drove in two runs and raised his batting average from .169 to .214. This was his first four-hit game since May 20, 2012. This was Francoeur's fourth career four-hit game at Turner Field and first since he helped Mike Hampton and the Braves beat the Giants on Aug. 16, 2008.
• As Harang has allowed just one run through the first 14 innings he has completed against Atlanta this year, he has given the Braves reason to second-guess their decision to not aggressively attempt to re-sign him this past winter. The Braves were hesitant to make a two-year offer to the rejuvenated veteran, who ended up signing a one-year, $5 million deal with Philadelphia.
• "That was game-saving for me. You never know if that snowballs into something big. He gets to the right spot, most often, if not all the time. It was a great catch. Huge." -- Sandberg, on center fielder Odubel Herrera's catch at the wall in the sixth inning. Atlanta had a runner on first with two outs when Jonny Gomes almost hit it out.
• The Phillies scored three runs in the first inning in Monday's series opener against the Braves. They had scored just five runs in the first inning in their first 28 games, which were tied with the Brewers for the fewest first-inning runs in baseball.
• Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday. He sat Monday against Braves left-hander Alex Wood. Howard is 4-for-7 with three home runs, six RBIs and two walks in his career against Miller.

NEXT GAME:

Phillies right-hander Chad Billingsley on Tuesday will make his first appearance in a big league game since April 2013. Chad Billingsley is excited to pitch in his first big league game in more than two years. Billingsley has had a difficult road back following a pair of right elbow surgeries that have limited him to just 12 innings since 2012. But Billingsley has been healthy since he joined the Phillies on a one-year, $1.5 million contract. The next step is seeing how he handles big league hitters again. Billingsley, 30, has finally finished rehabbing from a pair of right elbow surgeries that have limited him to just 12 innings since 2012. He threw 99 pitches in his final rehab start last week with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, so he is not expected to be limited. Right-hander Shelby Miller pitches for the Braves at Turner Field. He is 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA in five starts, allowing three hits and two runs in six innings in a 5-2 victory over the Phillies on April 25.

PHILS PHACTS:

Fast Start – Everybody knows about the Phillies' offensive shortcomings this season. They entered Monday's 5-2 victory over the Braves at Turner Field averaging a mere 2.77 runs per game, making them the only team in baseball averaging fewer than 3.16 runs per game. So it came as no surprise that the Phillies entered the night having scored just five runs in the first inning this season, which tied the Brewers for the fewest in baseball. But the Phillies scored three runs in the first inning against Braves left-hander Alex Wood to give Aaron Harang some rare early support. "It's huge," said Harang, who allowed one run in six innings to improve to 3-2 with a 2.35 ERA. "To be able to come and jump on the opposing guy early makes me be able to go out and pitch how I want to and not try to be as fine." "Definitely went a long way," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. The rally started with two outs, too. Darin Ruf hit a single to center to put runners on first and third. Ruf got his first start at first base since April 23 and just his fourth start there this season. He finished the night 3-for-5 with one double, taking advantage of the opportunity and raising his batting average from .186 to .229. "[Ruf] swung a solid bat," Sandberg said. Jeff Francoeur followed with a double to left field to score Ben Revere to make it 1-0. Francoeur had been hitless in his last 19 at-bats. He had started 13 of his previous 17 games this season against right-handers, despite his career OPS being 101 points better against left-handed pitchers. Francoeur took advantage of the favorable matchup against Wood, going 2-for-3 against him. He went 4-for-5 with one double, one triple and two RBIs in the game. "On this team, I know I need to hit lefties," Francoeur said. "That's my No. 1 priority. When I'm in there on a night like tonight, I've got to get the job done." Cesar Hernandez then walked to load the bases. He made just his second start at third base, as Cody Asche has hit .180 (11-for-61) with a .482 OPS since April 15. Hernandez walked two more times before picking up an infield hit in the seventh. He finished 1-for-2 with three walks and one RBI. Carlos Ruiz capped the inning with a two-run single to center field.

Revenge – After helping Aaron Harang rejuvenate his career last year, the Braves were hesitant to give him a two-year deal this winter. But given what he has done to them over the past 10 days, they probably wish they would have at least tried to match the one-year, $5 million deal he signed with the Phillies. "It's one of those things," Harang said. "They had other priorities at hand. We did start talking [to the Braves] about the same time as the Phillies, but it's just one of those things. Sometimes things don't work out the way you had hoped or the team had hoped. The Phillies were more aggressive toward me." Harang gained a little more revenge as he surrendered just one run over six innings and helped the Phillies claim a 5-2 win on Monday night at Turner Field. The 36-year-old veteran also limited the Braves to two hits over eight scoreless innings on April 24 at Citizens Bank Park. "He's a quality starter," Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "He doesn't beat himself or walk guys. He keeps his defense in it and keeps going. He makes pitches. I remember last year he got off to a really good start, too. He's a veteran guy that knows how to pitch." Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez is well aware of the abilities possessed by Harang, who surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 26 of the 33 starts he made for Atlanta last year. The veteran hurler has posted a 2.35 ERA through his first six starts this season. While Harang was silencing Atlanta's offense on Monday night, Jeff Francoeur, another former Braves player, was constructing a four-hit night that was sparked by his RBI single in the three-run first inning against Alex Wood. Harang and Francoeur produced this damage exactly six days after another Braves castoff, Dan Uggla, hit a three-run homer in the ninth to help the Nationals complete a comeback victory at Turner Field. Making matters worse, Uggla, who was released in July, stands as the highest-paid member of Atlanta payroll this year. "We should know Harang," Gonzalez said. "We should know Dan Uggla. We should know Jeff Francoeur. Some of these guys don't know who Jeff Francoeur is, but we should know. It seems like those guys in the past 10 days have done some damage against us."

Frenchy Rakes – Jeff Francoeur badly needed a night like the one he had Monday at Turner Field. He went 4-for-5 with one double, one triple and two RBIs in a 5-2 victory over the Braves. His two-out double in the first inning helped the Phillies score their first run. His two-out triple in the ninth provided insurance as the Phillies try to salvage a rough 10-game road trip with a series victory. Francoeur's first four-hit game since May 20, 2012, raised his batting average from .169 to .214. "Obviously to do it in Atlanta with all of my family and my little daughter here made it extra special," said Francoeur, who was born in Atlanta and played for the Braves from 2005-09. "I got a little good breakfast this morning from momma. I'll try to eat the same thing tomorrow." Francoeur had been hitless in his previous 19 at-bats before the first-inning single, which included an 0-for-13 skid last week in St. Louis. Francoeur said he had a good talk after Thursday's game in St. Louis with Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg, which helped clear his mind. "In so many words, I'd like to say I was mentally [messed up] on Thursday," Francoeur said about the Cardinals series. "I was scuffling. To get some time off this weekend was a big deal for me, man. Anybody that knows me knows that I grind hard, I play hard. I put a lot of pressure on myself. To get that time to really rest and relax, I felt really comfortable coming into today." Francoeur has been a positive presence in the Phillies' clubhouse since his arrival, but the Phillies need him to keep hitting. They are expected to make at least a couple of roster moves in the coming weeks and months, including possible promotions for third baseman Maikel Franco and outfielder Domonic Brown, which would affect the Phillies' outfield. Asked if he has felt any pressure to hit after he worked so hard to get back to the big leagues after spending most of last season in Triple-A, Francoeur said, "Yeah, but the bigger pressure is to hit lefties. That's what I'm here to do. Obviously, I can hit righties, too. I can do it, but I think I'm at that part of my career where it's important to take care of that first." A platoon-type of situation for Francoeur would make sense. His career OPS against lefties is more than 100 points higher than against righties. Of course, that will play out in the coming weeks with Sandberg's lineups. Monday night, Francoeur simply enjoyed the moment. His grandmother from Massachusetts made the trip to see her grandson play in person for the first time in three years. "The ninth inning was neat," Francoeur added. "My little girl is 21 months. My mother-in-law brought her out to see me in the outfield. She started screaming 'daddy' at me. That's the kind of stuff that makes this game fun, and even more reason why you play when you've got little ones like that." Francoeur's week is going to get better, too. He and his wife learn Thursday if their second child is a boy or girl. "Big week here in Atlanta," he said.

Long Awaited Return – For the first time in over two years, Phillies right-hander Chad Billingsley will wake up Tuesday morning thinking about the way he plans to attack hitters, instead of attacking his rehab following a pair of right elbow surgeries. The thought of making his first big league start since April 15, 2013, brought a smile to Billingsley's face Monday at Turner Field. "It's going to be really fun," said Billingsley, who is set to pitch the second contest of a three-game series on Tuesday night against the Braves. "I've missed that part of the game, having my mind worry about [hitters] and not worrying about this [right elbow]. I'm just really happy and relieved. This is all in the past now. It's been two years since I've been out there every fifth day on a regular basis. It hasn't really sunk in yet." The Phillies signed Billingsley to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, betting he could successfully rehab from a pair of elbow surgeries and provide the organization much-needed starting pitching depth. Who knew they would need him this badly? The Phillies lost Cliff Lee for the season in March and just optioned right-hander David Buchanan to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Billingsley will be in the rotation for the foreseeable future, assuming he remains healthy and pitches relatively well. In fact, Billingsley will be part of a four-man rotation until May 12. Sean O'Sullivan will begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Class A Lakewood. O'Sullivan seems to be the most likely candidate to rejoin the rotation, considering his next turn to pitch would be May 12. In a perfect world for the Phillies, Billingsley will pitch like he pitched with the Dodgers from 2008-12, when his 3.70 ERA ranked 35th out of 95 qualified pitchers. His pitching WAR tied for 49th in that span. If he performs to that level, the Phillies could conceivably trade him to a contending team before the July 31 non-wavier Trade Deadline. Of course, that is the farthest thing from Billingsley's mind. He just wants to get on the mound and pitch in a big league game. He has had a long time to think about what it will be like. "You just sit back and you think about how much fun it was to be out there competing and pitching every fifth day," Billingsley said. "That's what kind of motivated me. So I had to think like that and continue -- to achieve this."

Return To Action – The Phillies are expected to get their top prospect back on the field Wednesday with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers. Shortstop J.P. Crawford is ranked the No. 22 prospect in Major League Baseball, according to MLBPipeline.com. But he has not played this season because of a strained oblique. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Crawford is scheduled to play nine innings Monday and Tuesday in extended spring training games. If that goes well, Crawford will return to action with the Threshers. In other Minor League news, the Double-A Eastern League named Reading right-hander Ben Lively its Pitcher of the Week. Reading righty Zach Eflin got the nod earlier this season. Lively went 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 16 strikeouts in two starts last week.

Honorary Bat Girls – Mother's Day is Sunday, and for Melissa Rupert of Liberty Township, Ohio, it will be the first one to celebrate as the mother of a baby boy named Noah. "He's my entire world," Rupert said. "Every day, I hold my baby boy as tightly as he'll let me and remind myself that he is my rock and my joy, and I barely think about ... breast cancer." Her Mother's Day will be even more meaningful, because the 35-year-old Reds fan will be recognized on the field at Great American Ball Park as one of 30 winners who were named Monday afternoon by Major League Baseball in the 2015 Honorary Bat Girl contest. The annual contest recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and who demonstrate a commitment to eradicating the disease. Winners selected to represent each club will be recognized on the field at Major League ballparks this Sunday or on an alternative date in May for clubs that are away. Go to honorarybatgirl.com to see the winners and to read the inspiring stories of courage by all the nominees. "After being told that I have Stage 1 triple negative breast cancer, I remind myself every day that I am not a statistic. I am me," Rupert wrote in her submission entry. "My outcome will be my outcome. My story is mine, and I am not a number. So, here I am. A new mom, a business owner and an avid volunteer. I don't have time to think about the 'what-ifs.' There is no alternative. I'm in it to win it." During MLB's annual Mother's Day national day of recognition, the Honorary Bat Girl winners will take part in pregame activities, be honored during an on-field ceremony and receive pink MLB merchandise, with two tickets to the game. On Mother's Day, players and on-field personnel will wear the symbolic pink ribbon on their uniforms, along with pink wrist bands. Commemorative base jewels and dugout lineup cards also will be pink. The games will feature a pink-stitched Rawlings baseball. Many players also will use pink bats, and pink Louisville Slugger bats will be stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo. Many authenticated, game-used Louisville Slugger pink bats from these games will be listed exclusively at the MLB.com Auction to help fight breast cancer. The Honorary Bat Girl program was introduced in 2009 to raise additional awareness and support for the annual "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative celebrated on Mother's Day. In six years, thousands of unique testimonials have been submitted, and more than two million fan votes have been cast. Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer is an MLB initiative supported by its charitable partners Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

THE BEGINNING

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now near the bottom of the NL east at 10-17. 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 39-54-0 on this day.

Phillies Finally Reel One In

GAME RECAP: Phils Catch Fish 6-2

Ryan Howard snapped an 0-for-11 slump with his first triple of the season, and it set in motion the Phillies' 6-2 comeback victory over the Marlins on Sunday at Marlins Park. Philadelphia snapped a five-game losing streak, and Miami capped its homestand at 7-2. Miami right-hander Jarred Cosart hadn't allowed a run in 16 innings, spread over three starts. But in the fifth inning, the Phillies tied it at 1 on Ben Revere's RBI single. In the sixth inning, the Phillies claimed the lead for good. After Darin Ruf was hit by a pitch, Howard's triple tied it. Grady Sizemore's RBI single gave the Phillies the lead for good. "We had some timely hitting with some men on base, had some opportunities, and came through with some guys swinging the bat," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "It was a good combination." The Marlins, winners of four straight series, rested regulars Dee Gordon and Martin Prado. Ichiro Suzuki scored on Giancarlo Stanton's sacrifice fly in the first inning, but Phillies right-hander Severino Gonzalez gave up just two runs in five innings with five strikeouts. The Phillies added a pair of runs in the seventh inning, with one unearned. Howard drove in his second run of the game with a single off Bryan Morris. Miami had a string of 11 straight games of allowing three or fewer runs snapped. "We just couldn't hold it," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "We've done a pretty good job holding our leads. Our pitchers have done a great job over these last 10 games. When we have leads, they're shutting them down. We weren't able to do that today. That's going to happen."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Revere's two-out RBI single in the fifth not only tied the ballgame at 1 but also snapped a stretch of 18 consecutive scoreless innings for the Phillies' offense. Revere, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Sunday, produced his first RBI in five games.
• After the Phillies took a 3-2 lead on Howard's RBI triple in the sixth inning, righty Justin De Fratus came on in relief of Gonzalez. Given the task of facing Miami's 3-4-5 batters, including Stanton, De Fratus struck out the side swinging on 10 pitches (nine strikes). "I thought De Fratus in the sixth inning was big," Sandberg said. "We had just taken the lead and it was a shutdown inning with the heart of the order. Three strikeouts. That was probably the key."
• Odubel Herrera robbed Adeiny Hechavarria of an extra-base hit in the eighth inning with a sprinting, over-the-shoulder catch. Herrera, who has started 22 games in center field, entered the game in the seventh inning as a defensive substitution.
• Howard's go-ahead RBI triple off Cosart in the sixth inning marked his first triple since April 20, 2014, against then-Rockies right-hander Juan Nicasio at Coors Field. "I tried to go up there for that third [at-bat] and just see the ball and get a little bit better flow and rhythm, and I was able to do that on the first couple of pitches," Howard said. "That third [at-bat], I found something. That fastball… there it was."
• The Phillies have lost seven straight road series (5-18 overall road record since Sept. 15, 2014). Philadelphia is 2-12-1 over its last 15 road series, one of which came last September in Atlanta.
• Carlos Ruiz is 4-for-7 (.571) with two doubles, three RBI and a walk off Wood.

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies close out a 10-game road trip, while the Braves finish off a 10-game homestand beginning on Monday night at Turner Field. The pitching matchup offers a rematch of Philadelphia's 1-0 victory on April 24 at Citizens Bank Park. Aaron Harang received the no-decision against his former team, the Braves, despite tossing eight scoreless, two-hit frames. His string of four consecutive quality starts to open the season was snapped in his last outing in St. Louis, when he surrendered five runs on nine hits over six innings. Southpaw Alex Wood pitched 5 2/3 shutout frames against the Phillies, striking out one batter and walking two. He took his first loss of the season in his last outing against the Nationals, allowing five runs on six hits in five innings. Wood did, however, strike out a season-high eight batters.

PHILS PHACTS:

Rookie Rebound – Severino Gonzalez finally got to showcase his ability to locate and execute secondary pitches, five days after a disastrous Major League debut in St. Louis. Gonzalez, who was the youngest Phillies pitcher to start a big league game in a decade, picked up his first victory in Philadelphia's 6-2 win over the Marlins on Sunday afternoon. The 22-year-old righty went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Of his 78 pitches, 53 went for strikes. He helped snap the Phillies' five-game skid. On Tuesday in St. Louis, Gonzalez earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first Phillies starter since 1996 to last fewer than three innings in his debut when he surrendered seven runs on 10 hits in just 2 2/3 innings. The Phillies dropped the game 11-5 to the Cardinals. "I wanted to attack the strike zone and be aggressive, and my fastball worked this time," Gonzalez said through a translator. "I also wanted to help the club win. My mind was really set on attacking the strike zone." Miami scored a run off him in the first without the benefit of a hit. Gonzalez walked Ichiro Suzuki, the leadoff batter, who then stole back-to-back bases and scored on Giancarlo Stanton's one-out sacrifice fly to right. Gonzalez proceeded to retire the next six batters before Ichiro got the Marlins' first hit with two outs in the third. He worked around a pair of one-out singles in the fourth by striking out Michael Morse and inducing a lineout to third by Reid Brignac. "I came back with a very good changeup," Gonzalez said. "It was a pitch that worked for me today, and I kind of got him off balance a little bit on that [Brignac] liner to third base." Though he gave up another run in the fifth on Jhonatan Solano's RBI double, Gonzalez limited the damage by stranding him at second. Jarred Cosart struck out on a bunt attempt, Ichiro grounded out and Adeiny Hechavarria lined out to right. When the Phillies took the lead on Ryan Howard's RBI triple in the sixth, it put Gonzalez in line for the win. Manager Ryne Sandberg thought Gonzalez's ability to mix his changeup and curveball helped his fastball, something the rookie worked on in a bullpen session following his debut. While the Cardinals jumped on him early in the count, the Marlins took a more conservative approach. Sandberg also saw fewer nerves. "He has a good mound presence about him and a look of confidence," Sandberg said. "He doesn't get flustered too much out there. He was able to make adjustments. He's young. There's still things to be worked on. We had to talk to him between innings about the baserunners and getting him on board with holding baserunners. Some grooming there, but the attitude and the conviction and all that and the look about him is very good." As for whether Gonzalez would make another start, Sandberg said the organization would weigh its options. Later Sunday, the Phillies optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, which helps create room for the return of several starters from injuries. Chad Billingsley will make his Phillies debut on Tuesday in his return to a big league mound for the first time since 2013 after a pair of elbow surgeries. Sean O'Sullivan (left knee tendinitis), the fifth starter in the rotation to open the season, will start a rehab game on Thursday in Lakewood. "I was very positive after what happened last time, concentrating, and it paid off for me," said Gonzalez, whose ERA lowered from 23.63 to 10.57. "I'm very proud of my start today."

Herrera Shows Off Defense – Odubel Herrera flashed the leather with an impressive running catch to rob Adeiny Hechavarria of extra bases during the eighth inning of the Phillies' 6-2 victoryover the Marlins on Sunday afternoon. Herrera, who entered the game as a defensive replacement in center field for Andres Blanco in the seventh, tracked down the liner to straightaway center. In a three-run ballgame, manager Ryne Sandberg switched around his defense to preserve the lead by shifting Ben Revere to left and moving Darin Ruf to first for Ryan Howard. The 23-year-old Herrera had appeared in Philadelphia's previous 25 games, starting 22 of them in center. He remains a work in progress at a position he didn't pick up in the Minor Leagues until last season. Primarily a second baseman, Herrera saw action in two games in center with Class A Myrtle Beach and 41 for La Guaira of the Venezuelan Winter League in 2014. Through parts of 26 games, Herrera has committed two errors on 54 putouts. "He's progressed really well," Sandberg said. "He went in there for defense. He's taking to it very good. Very athletic, he has very good routes, his instincts are very good. That's a tough one -- ball straight over your head with that kind of distance. But he's been very good. A lot of fun to watch, a lot of energy."

THE BEGINNING

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now near the bottom of the NL east at 9-17. 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 43-51-0 on this day.

The Fishing Is Not Good In Miami

GAME RECAP: Marlins Dominate Phillies 7-0

Dee Gordon provided the speed, slapping out three hits and stealing two bases, and Martin Prado delivered the power, connecting on a three-run homer while driving in four runs. The top-of-the-order combination gave Dan Haren plenty of support in the Marlins' 7-0 victory over the Phillies Saturday. Cole Hamels gave up a season-high six runs in six innings, the most runs allowed by the lefty since also surrendering six on April 29, 2014, to the Mets. Miami has won nine of 10, and reached 12-12 after starting 3-11. The Phillies have dropped five straight. "We've been on a nice run," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "You give all those guys in that room the credit. They've gone out there and grinded it out together and put a nice streak together. We're playing good baseball. We're pitching. We're playing good defense, getting timely hitting. "I knew we would get it going. It wasn't the start that we wanted, but at the same time, it's such a long season. It's fun to see these guys playing with confidence out there and picking each other up, and having some fun." Hamels got out of a first-and-third, no-out jam in the first inning. But in the second inning, the Marlins capitalized on a two-out walk to Gordon. Prado blasted a three-run homer to left field. Statcast measured the drive at 414 feet. And in the third inning, back-to-back doubles by Jeff Baker and J.T. Realmuto made it 4-0. Haren threw six scoreless innings, and the Marlins have now limited the opposition to three or fewer runs in 10 straight games. Philadelphia's Odubel Herrera had an eighth-inning single, extending his streak to 17 games reaching safely.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• The Marlins tested the home plate collision rule in the first inning. With Gordon on third, Giancarlo Stanton tapped to the mound. Hamels flipped home to Carlos Ruiz and Gordon attempted to jar the ball free. Gordon was tagged out, and Miami challenged to see if Ruiz provided a lane. The review lasted one minute, 26 seconds and the out stood.
• "Just mixing it up. He's hitting both sides of the plate, he's using the whole field. He choked up on the bat. He was able to handle both sides of the plate. Tough to pitch to right now He's the guy you want to keep off the base." -- Sandberg on pitching to Gordon.
• Both Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Ethan Martin, who both have been nursing inflammation in their right shoulder since early April, continue with their rehabs. "They're starting long toss, but no major changes for them," Amaro Jr. said. "They're progressing, but it's slow."

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies finish off the second leg of a 10-game trip on Sunday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. ET against the Marlins. Severino Gonzalez, who surrendered seven runs on 10 hits in just 2 2/3 innings in his Major League debut against the Cardinals on Tuesday, looks to bounce back after that rough start.

PHILS PHACTS:

Not Good – Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels is a competitor, so games like Saturday's 7-0 loss  to the Marlins bring out the frustration in the 10-year veteran. While Philadelphia couldn't string together hits en route to its third shutout and fifth straight loss, Hamels gave up a season-high six runs on 10 hits over six innings, while walking three batters and striking out six. He has dropped three of his first six starts. Hamels quickly fell behind in the second inning on Martin Prado's three-run homer. After an appeal play wiped out a first-and-third situation with no outs, Dan Haren executed a sacrifice bunt to place a runner at second. With two outs, Hamels walked Dee Gordon before Prado's swing. Miami would build up a 5-0 lead by the fourth and score in five different frames. "I don't like to lose, so I think that's the No. 1 thing I always preach," Hamels said. "I want to win, I want to get the opportunity to win, and it hasn't been the case because of what I've been doing. Giving up early runs, giving up home runs, giving up more than 2-3 runs. You're not giving yourself a chance or any sort of opportunity. "I might not necessarily be -- beside today -- giving up a lot of hits but walking too many guys, giving them way too much credit. When you're trying to be too fine, then I think it's hard to bounce back and try to locate the next 3-4 pitches in a row to get yourself out of a jam, as opposed to if you're locating right away and they get themselves out." When asked whether the club's struggles might be affecting Hamels' production, manager Ryne Sandberg said the southpaw appeared frustrated throughout the outing, particularly on pitches he likely wished he had back. "I think he missed some pitches, some location on pitches and he also made some good pitches that were hit," Sandberg said. "He got behind early and we had zeroes up on the offensive side of things." Hamels has walked 19 batters over 37 innings and at least two in each of his six starts. It's uncharacteristic for him. In four of his 10 seasons, he has issued less than 50 total walks. Hamels believes the staff as a whole may be picking and choosing battles rather than pitching "free and easy" because of the lack of offensive production. Guys are pressing. And when his command is off or he doesn't locate a pitch, "I get hammered." Entering Saturday, Phillies starting pitchers had a 5-13 record -- the second-lowest winning percentage in baseball. The 33 runs of support rank last in the Majors. "When you have to be very fine because of the circumstances I think you look at it is as, 'If I can't get this guy out, move to the next guy,'" Hamels said. "You're trying to get three outs without a guy advancing three bases."

Making Moves – The Phillies shook up their pitching staff with roster moves prior to Saturday's game against the Marlins. Philadelphia optioned right-hander David Buchanan to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and called up left-hander Elvis Araujo from Double-A Reading. Araujo, who signed a Major League deal with the Phillies this past winter, will join the ballclub on Sunday in Miami for the series finale. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. also announced that righty Chad Billingsley will return from two elbow surgeries to start Tuesday's game against the Braves in his first big league appearance since April 15, 2013. Buchanan struggled in five outings as the No. 3 starter in the rotation, going 0-5 with an 8.76 ERA. Over 24 2/3 innings, he gave up 24 runs on 32 hits with 15 walks and 12 strikeouts. Buchanan will join the IronPigs in Louisville on Sunday. "Like (Domonic Brown), it's not a punishment," Amaro Jr. said. "But you have to perform. For him, I think it's a matter of getting himself right. Again, we believe in him. We believe in his makeup. We believe in a lot of things. He just hasn't performed, and it's time for him to go down and get himself straightened out so we can get him back." Upon his Major League call-up on May 24, 2014, Buchanan went 6-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 20 starts as a rookie. He turns 26 on May 11. "I feel for the young man because I believe he turned a corner a little bit at the end of last year and during the course of spring," Amaro Jr. said. "But this is baseball. This happens, and it's happened to a lot of players where it hasn't worked out exactly how we all would like it to work out. But I fully expect him to go out there do his work and get back. At least that's what we hope." The 23-year-old Araujo has yet to make his big-league debut and has never pitched past the Double-A level. In seven relief appearances with the Fightin' Phils, he posted a 1-2 record and 7.45 ERA. Over parts of six minor-league seasons since 2008 between the Indians and Phillies organizations, Araujo is 23-16 with a 3.97 ERA in 109 games (57 starts). He is expected to come out of the bullpen for Philadelphia. "Part of it is getting another left-hander, part of it is roster," Amaro Jr. said. "But his last couple of times he's been OK. He's been a little erratic, but his stuff's there. But we'll give him a shot. We'll give a young player a shot and see how he does." Amaro Jr. also noted that righty Jerome Williams, who got a no-decision in Friday's game against the Marlins, will be pushed back to May 6.

Feeling Good – Phillies right-hander Sean O'Sullivan successfully simulated two innings by throwing 50 pitches on the mound at Marlins Park, hours before Saturday afternoon's game. O'Sullivan, on the 15-day disabled list since April 22 (retroactive April 18) with left knee tendinitis, had a 0-1 record and a 4.91 ERA in two starts prior to the injury. "Tried to treat it like a normal outing," O'Sullivan said. "I warmed up and threw my pregame warmup like I normally would, then waited a few minutes, went out, threw a first inning of 20 pitches or so, sat down for a few minutes, back out there for another 20 or so pitches. It felt good. Threw everything, tried to make it as game-like as you can at noon with the cage out there. The idea was mostly to see how my knee would hold up, let it loose with the break in between to see if it would stiffen up or not. But it didn't, so everything feels good so far." The 27-year-old threw off a mound for the first time a couple of days ago, but it wasn't at game speed. At the time, the Phillies wanted to see whether his knee could handle the slope. On Saturday, two batters stood in and provided feedback on how he looked. O'Sullivan initially felt a tug on his knee during his first outing on April 12. When the pain persisted in his following start, the organization decided to put him on the DL rather than risk it getting worse. He has since missed two starts, including one against the Marlins on April 23 in Philadelphia. Dustin McGowan and Severino Gonzalez have each filled in for the fifth spot in the rotation. "The main goal was to see if my knee would be able to hold up under full exertion, and it did," O'Sullivan said. "Everything feels good. If it feels good tomorrow, which I anticipate it will, we'll talk about finding a rehab game and keep going one step at a time." The Phillies announced after the simulated game that O'Sullivan will make a rehab start Thursday for Class A Lakewood.

THE BEGINNING

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now near the bottom of the NL east at 8-17. 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 54-40-0 on this day.

Phils Can’t Reel In Fish

GAME RECAP: Marlins Beat Phillies 4-3

The Marlins squandered chances all night, leaving 11 on base heading into the ninth inning. But they were finally able to break through and edge the Phillies, 4-3, in walk-off fashion on Marcell Ozuna's RBI double off Ken Giles. Ozuna's third double of the night scored Giancarlo Stanton, who had walked, from first base. The decisive run didn't come without drama. The crew chief reviewed the play to see if catcher Carlos Ruiz tagged Stanton before he touched home. The review lasted one minute, 39 seconds before Stanton was called safe, giving Miami its second walk-off of the season. The Marlins have won eight of nine, and six of seven on the homestand. "They were out of challenges so I didn't think they would review it," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "I thought it was over." Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler was perfect through three innings, but in the fourth the Phillies broke through. Ben Revere singled to center and moved to third on Odubel Herrera's hit-and-run single to right. Chase Utley then belted a three-run homer to right, making it 3-1. Utley's shot traveled 364 feet, as tracked by Statcast, and the drive's exit velocity was 97 mph. Miami pulled even at 3 in the fifth inning, cashing in on Martin Prado's RBI single and Stanton's run-scoring double off Phillies starter Jerome Williams. According to Statcast tracking, Stanton's double was clocked at 120 mph, the highest exit velocity recorded this season. The Marlins initially led by a run in the second inning on Ozuna's double and J.T. Realmuto's sacrifice fly to right.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Utley, who finished April with a .114 average for the lowest mark of his 13-year career, turned on Koehler's first-pitch fastball for the go-ahead, three-run homer to right in the fourth. Prior to that at-bat, Utley had gone 3-for-46 (.065) with just four RBIs since April 15. He also hadn't hit a home run in 14 games.
• With a pair of runners in scoring position and one out in a 3-3 ballgame in the sixth inning, the Phillies elected to intentionally walk Gordon to load the bases. Jeanmar Gomez induced a 5-4-3 groundout by Prado to escape any damage. It marked the second double play turned by the Phillies on the night.
• The Phillies had a big fourth inning, scoring three runs. They nearly had a fourth. But with Howard on third, Koehler threw a pitch to Williams that went to the backstop. Howard raced for home, as Realmuto retrieved the ball and flipped to Koehler covering the plate. Howard slid head-first, and home plate umpire Brian O'Nora ruled him out. The Phillies challenged to see if Koehler was in violation of the home plate collision rule. After a review of two minutes, 14 seconds, the call stood. "I pulled my hand back and he just went straight down," Howard said. "That's why I was kind of giving a look of surprise. If I would've felt it I would've said, 'Hey, I'm out. Ryne, don't even waste your time.' I don't know. That's a tough one." "I know I tagged him, but I wasn't exactly sure where,'' Koehler said. "I mean, I knew I got one hand. I don't know where the other one was. It looked like one of those plays that was tough to overturn. Either way they called it was tough."
• In the ninth inning, Ozuna drove in the game-winning run with an RBI double into the left-center gap. As Herrera tracked down the ball, Stanton raced home from first and was ruled safe on the play. His feet-first slide beat Ruiz's tag on a relay throw from Freddy Galvis. "[Herrera] got it in there quick," Sandberg said. "Throw on line and he's out from Freddy. He got in there quick and gave us a shot. It was close at home."
• "Ozuna's a fastball hitter. He's on the fastball typically. That pitch just happened to be the one that he could elevate, but Ozuna's a fastball type of a hitter. Anything down a little bit would've been preferable. That's the strategy with him." -- Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg, on the game-winner.
• Ryan Howard moved into sole possession of first place for most games at first base in Phillies franchise history (1,299). Howard surpassed Fred Luderus, who spent 11 seasons with the organization from 1910-20.

NEXT GAME:

Cole Hamels picked up his first win of the season in his last start, allowing one run on four hits with season highs in strikeouts (nine) and walks (four) over seven innings against the Cardinals. The southpaw received a no-decision on April 22 in Philadelphia against the Marlins, despite giving up just an unearned run over six innings.

PHILS PHACTS:

Turning Around? – Chase Utley's May started much like his April. In his first at-bat during Friday night's 4-3 loss to the Marlins, he swung and missed badly on an offering from Tom Koehler. How badly? His bat flew toward second base where it landed near Dee Gordon, who retrieved it and threw it back to Utley. On the next pitch, Utley broke it on an easy groundout to end the first inning. But Utley changed his approach his next time at the plate and his fortune changed. After consecutive singles to open the fourth, Utley sent Koehler's first-pitch fastball to right for his third homer of the season, giving Philadelphia a 3-1 lead. In six previous at-bats this season swinging at the first pitch, Utley had two hits and two RBIs with a .333 average and a .429 on-base percentage. In one swing, Utley drove in as many runs as he had produced over the past eight games. It also gave him 900 RBIs for his 13-year career. The long ball was his first since April 14, when he blasted a pair. Though Utley finished 1-for-4 and the Phillies fell in walk-off fashion for their fourth straight loss, his swing is an encouraging sign. Over the past week, Utley has made better contact, including three balls to the warning track in right-center field at Busch Stadium. They were just finding defenders' gloves. His historically poor April had been widely documented. Entering that at-bat, he was just 3-for-46 (.065) with one run, five walks, six strikeouts and four RBIs since April 15. His .114 average marked his lowest output of any month in the past 13 years and was also tied with Roy Sievers' futility in 1962 for the worst in franchise history (minimum 40 plate appearances). "He's been stinging the ball," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He could have five or six doubles added to his stats right now very easily with any luck at all. This was a rare jump on a first pitch. It happened to be a changeup, so maybe change his strategy a little bit that at-bat with the men on base and try to make something happen. You don't see him swing very often at the first pitch and [he] reacted to a change."

Coming Soon – With Phillies right-hander Chad Billingsley's pitch count built up after four rehab starts, the organization has an impending decision to make concerning his return to a Major League mound. Billingsley, who gave up two unearned runs on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings on Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, is working back from a pair of right elbow surgeries. "He got stretched out to 99 pitches," Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg said prior to his club's game on Friday against the Marlins. "We're going to talk about that either today or tomorrow morning. He's progressed well, so he's in a spot now where -- 99 pitches -- where we'll talk about and see what's next for him." In his four rehab starts, the 30-year-old righty has posted a 4.74 ERA. He last pitched in the big leagues on April 15, 2013, as a member of the Dodgers. Billingsley would likely replace rookie Severino Gonzalez, who is slated to start Sunday's series finale, in the rotation. "It's good to see his body and everything pass the test and his arm," Sandberg said of Billingsley. "I know that he's been pleased with that part of it along with the progression he's had."

Rookie All Star? – All Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera did during his first month in the big leagues is achieve a feat not seen in the organization's 133-year history. Herrera, who reached base safely in each of his last 15 games in April, became the first Phillies rookie with an on-base streak that long in April, according to Elias Sports Bureau. As if that wasn't enough, Herrera leads all National League rookies in hits (25), doubles (six), triples (two), total bases (35) and stolen bases (four). He also ranks second in extra-base hits (eight) and OPS (.763) as well as third in average (.301) and runs (nine). Herrera and his hot-hitting teammates, like shortstop Freddy Galvis and third baseman Cody Asche, are included on the NL All-Star ballot that was released earlier this week. Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots. Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info. Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities. The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

THE BEGINNING

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now near the bottom of the NL east at 8-16. 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 47-48-0 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.