IT TOOK THEPhillies seven games to break . 

After Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers in the rubber game of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park, manager Charlie Manuel offered a not-so-subtle message that the defending World Series champs need to play with greater fire. 

--RHP Brad Lidge has experienced many perks since the Phillies won the World Series last season. 

--SS Jimmy Rollins returned to his customary leadoff spot Thursday after batting in the No. 

Jayson Werth's steal of home in the seventh inning Tuesday night was not only an astute play, but also a unique one. 

IF YOU'VE been following the ebb and flow of thePhillies' fortunes most of your conscious life, you're probably in the throes of the George Patton syndrome. 

WHEN IT all went kerflooey for Brett Myers in the first half of last season, thePhillies crafted what turned out to be an inspired solution. 

THE 30-GAME hit streak of Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman came to an end yesterday afternoon in Washington's 6-3 win over the Giants, meaning he will not eclipse either Chase Utley's 35-game streak in 2006 - tied for 10th all time - or Jimmy Rollin 

After his last start -- a seven-run, 2 1/3-inning pounding last week against the Mets -- Jamie Moyer said he planned to watch the video from one of the best starts of his long, distinguished career to remind himself how it looks when he's pitching well. 

--Manager Charlie Manuel has named Dodgers manager Joe Torre to the National League coaching staff at the All-Star Game on July 14 in St. 

--LHP J. 

Joe Torre's return to the National League is slightly more than a season old, yet he has already been selected an All-Star. 

Randy Wolf had the kind of performance that used to get the fans howling in Philadelphia. 

AMID ALL the leftfield worship of the newestPhillies face and our civic anxiety over starting pitching, Pedro Feliz has quietly re-established his reputation. 

Jayson Werth, standing on third base in the bottom of the seventh, noticed it on the first pitch to Pedro Feliz.