Charlie Manuel, an old-school hitter, likes a good slugfest as much as anybody. 

--RHP Joe Blanton made a slight mechanical adjustment last week that he said sharpened his slider. 

Ryan Howard has been baseball's most prolific home-run hitter for the past three seasons. 

Running full speed after chasing down a deep liner in the gap, Rick Ankiel had no time to slow down. 

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was around some great hitters during his days with the Cleveland Indians as a manager and hitting coach. 

The major roadways leading in and out of Philadelphia early Friday night resembled shopping mall parking lots at Christmas. 

Unless he trips boarding a chartered flight or is beset by some other stroke of hard luck, Cole Hamels will likely make his next start Friday, when thePhillies return from a four-game trip to play Atlanta. 

Cole Hamels' sprained left ankle will have two more days to heal. 

--RHP Chan Ho Park will stay in the Phillies' starting rotation, even after his latest dismal performance -- seven runs, eight hits, six walks in 4-2/3 innings Friday night against the New York Mets. 

Charlie Manuel, an old-school hitter, likes a good slugfest as much as anybody. 

The dish 

The Philadelphia Phillies have been hurt by poor performances from Joe Blanton and the rest of their rotation. 

Phillies 6 

May 3, 2009 (Morning Call delivered byNewstex) -- 

Oliver Perez got a no-decision about his spot in the Mets' rotation.