--2B Chase Utley is hitless in his last 11 at-bats, and rarely has he looked worse than in the eighth inning, when he lost his grip on the bat as he struck out against Mets LHP Oliver Perez. Utley insisted he feels fine physically. "He'll work it out," manager Charlie Manuel said. "Good hitters hit slumps. He'll be OK. I'll put my money on Utley."
--INF Eric Bruntlett was taking extra swings in the batting cage when manager Charlie Manuel told him he would be starting at shortstop in place of Jimmy Rollins, who had been removed from the lineup after showing up nearly an hour late. Bruntlett, a utility player who had only one hit in 16 at-bats dating to June 22, went 3-for-4 with two doubles and eclipsed his career high with 36 hits in a season. His previous best was 34 hits for the Astros in 2007. --RHP Ryan Madson was following the ball, not the player who hit it, in the sixth inning Wednesday. So, he didn't see Jose Reyes triumphantly rounding first base with his right arm in the air and his index finger extended after his decisive three-run homer in the sixth inning.
Madson's teammates were more aware. And when the Phillies arrived Thursday morning to Shea Stadium, several players still were grumbling about Reyes, the flashy Mets shortstop, believing his celebration was excessive.
"He's a high-talent kid, but he's got a lot of little boy in him," manager Charlie Manuel said of Reyes. "He's got some growing up to do. He's a young player, and as he gets older, he'll be more mature. Baseball has a way of taking care of itself."
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Victories in as many career starts against the Marlins for ageless Jamie Moyer. He's the first pitcher to win his first 10 starts against one team since Pedro Martinez won his first 12 against the Mariners.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's good to see some old faces that you didn't see in a while, to have them tell you, 'What the (heck) is wrong with you? This is the way you used to be.' When they tell you that, it opens your eyes a little bit and you go, 'What the heck have I become?'" -- RHP Brett Myers, on the effect of his three-week minor-league assignment.
