--LF Pat Burrell's week didn't start very well. On Monday and Tuesday nights, Burrell went 0-for-12 with five strikeouts and left 20 runners on base in a pair of games against the Dodgers and Mets. And, on Wednesday night, Burrell went hitless in his first two at-bats, stretching his slump to 0-for-14. But he snapped his funk with a sixth-inning double in a 6-3 loss to the Mets.
--C Carlos Ruiz had experience as an everyday infielder before signing with the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1998. So, when manager Charlie Manuel decided to save Eric Bruntlett as the last pinch hitter on the bench in the ninth inning Tuesday night, he felt comfortable putting Ruiz at third base. The move worked out. Ruiz, who has never played anywhere but behind the plate during his major league career, played one inning at third and didn't get any chances. And Bruntlett laced a game-tying, two-out double a half-inning later. "You never know what to be ready for," said Ruiz, who routinely takes grounders in the infield during batting practice. Said SS Jimmy Rollins, "I was like, 'Oh my goodness, any ball to third, I'm getting over.' I'm watching for the bounce off the chest, anything. But, fortunately, they kept the ball away from him. Smart hitters." --RHP Brad Lidge hadn't entered a game before the ninth inning since his first appearance of the season. But, with the Phillies and Mets tied at 3-3 in the eighth inning Wednesday night, manager Charlie Manuel wasn't messing around. So, Lidge entered with the go-ahead run on first base and two outs in the eighth and allowed a RBI double by rookie Daniel Murphy to give the Mets a lead. Lidge also allowed a two-run bloop double into shallow left field, and the Mets achieved a 6-3 victory at Citizens Bank Park. Lidge allowed two runs after giving up one run in his previous 12 1/3 innings.
--RHP Andrew Carpenter's contract was purchased from Class AA Reading, adding reinforcement to the bullpen following a 13-inning game Tuesday. Carpenter was 6-8 with a 5.67 ERA in 16 starts with Reading.
--INF Andy Tracy, who walked and flied out in his only two plate appearances with the Phillies, was designated for assignment.
--LHP Mike Zagurski on the 15-day disabled list all season with an elbow injury, was transferred to the 60-day DL. Zagurski had "Tommy John" ligament replacement surgery April 3.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1,342 -- Games played by RF Geoff Jenkins without appearing in a playoff game. The only active players who have played more games without reaching the postseason are the Mets' Damion Easley, the Giants' Randy Winn and the Mariners' Jose Vidro (assuming Vidro is picked up by another team after being released by the Mariners).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "There are definitely guys who come back to the clubhouse and you see the expression on their face. It's like, 'Man, I've got to try to do something.' And they're halfway defeated before they even get up there." -- SS Jimmy Rollins, who has been critical of notoriously tough Phillies fans for not offering their unconditional positive reinforcement for the team.
Play FOX Fantasy Football Today >
