--LF Pat Burrell wasn't in the lineup. Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez was limiting right-handed hitters to a .189 average, but Burrell's benching had more to do with his 6-for-49 (.122) slump with 18 strikeouts in his last 12 games. On orders from manager Charlie Manuel, Burrell didn't even take batting practice Monday. "He tries too hard sometimes," said Manuel, who started Jayson Werth in left field and Matt Stairs in right. "When you're not getting hits, it's kind of the natural tendency to do that. I told him to take it easy. I want him to sit down, relax, get away from things and see how it works."
--RHP Joe Blanton walked 40 batters in 230 innings last season for the Athletics. Since he got traded to the Phillies in July, Blanton has walked 23 batters in 52 2/3 innings. Blanton said he has experienced some mechanical difficulties. He hasn't lasted more than five innings in five of his last six starts, and he has a 5.58 ERA during that stretch. "It's just something I need to work out," Blanton said. "That's not me. I need to try to get it ironed out in the bullpen." --LHP J.A. Happ is waiting to find out if he'll make a start for the Phillies this week. For now, though, he has a nice award for his mantle. Happ received the 2008 Paul Owens Award as the best pitcher in the Phillies' minor-league system. It was a redeeming honor for Happ, who went 4-6 with a 5.02 ERA last season in Class AAA while pitching through an elbow injury. Happ was 8-7 with a 3.60 ERA in 24 games this season in Class AAA. "It's definitely an honor," Happ said. "I was happy to bounce back. It was tough mentally as well as physically. I guess you can say lesson learned. I'm not sure if I could go back that I wouldn't do the same thing. But some rest and rehab definitely helped."
--C Lou Marson won the Paul Owens Award as the Phillies' top position player in the minors. Marson, 22, batted .314 with five home runs and 46 RBIs for Class AA Reading and played for bronze medal-winning Team USA at the Olympics in Beijing.
--LHP Jamie Moyer is the Phillies' nominee for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, given annually to a player whose contributions to the community inspire others to higher levels of achievement. Through his charitable foundation, Moyer and his wife operate bereavement camps for children coping with the death of a loved one. Fan voting for the award will take place through Sunday at www.mlbplayers.com.
--RF Geoff Jenkins (right hip flexor strain) took batting practice Monday and said he's close to being ready to play. "There's not too many people who want to be in the playoffs more than me," said Jenkins, who has played in 1,342 games without reaching the postseason. "I'm ready to do whatever I can to help." Jenkins has been sidelined since Aug. 22.
--1B Ryan Howard belted his 40th home run Sunday night against the Mets, a solo shot to left field at Shea Stadium. Howard leads the majors with 20 opposite-field homers. Over the past three seasons, 61 of Howard's 145 homers have gone to left field.
BY THE NUMBERS: 11 -- Shutouts by the Phillies pitching staff. That number led the National League through games of Sept. 5.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think our guys, especially the ones that were here last year and the veteran guys on our team, I think they know what we have to do and what's at stake. And I think we know how we're supposed to handle it." -- Manager Charlie Manuel, on his team's thoughts during a showdown series with the Mets.
Play FOX Fantasy Football Today >
