The shift was subtle until it became glaringly obvious. Once expected to slug their way to the playoffs, the Phillies quietly transformed last summer into a pitching- and defense-oriented team. Then, in October, they won the World Series with shutdown pitching, getting solid postseason outings from each member of the rotation. And with four starters returning, pitching figured to be a major strength in 2009. But through April 19, the Phillies had allowed 26 home runs in 11 games. The starters had yielded 18. "It's definitely location," manager Charlie Manuel said. "If you're going to throw high changeups, well, there's a good chance that you're going to give up a lot of home runs. The changeup can be a tremendous pitch, and a lot of our pitchers throw it. But it's also a ball you have to throw down in the strike zone. You just cannot throw belt-high changeups and expect to get away with it."
PLAYER NEWS: --LHP Cole Hamels showed better command and fastball velocity in his second start than he did in his first. So, when he takes the mound Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Phillies expect to see even more improvement.
"I'm confident that I'm going to see Cole Hamels pretty soon," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's going to get better. Hopefully, it's (Thursday)."
Hamels missed nearly a week in spring training with stiffness in his left elbow. He has given up 12 runs on 19 hits (four home runs) in 9 2/3 innings over his first two starts. Earlier this week, he said he didn't start his offseason routine until late January after pitching more than 260 innings in 2008, including the postseason.
--C Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique) will start a four-game minor league rehab assignment this week, although GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the dates haven't been finalized. Ruiz likely will alternate games between playing catcher and designated hitter. He is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday but likely won't be activated until at least Monday. Ruiz was injured during an April 10 game in Colorado. The Phillies are being cautious because it's the type of injury that can recur if it doesn't heal properly. "When he goes out, he better not feel anything," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We don't want him to (strain the muscle) again."
--2B Chase Utley's single in the first inning Wednesday extended his on-base streak to 33 games. It's the longest current streak in the majors and the longest by a Phillies player since Utley's 35-game streak in 2006. The franchise record for consecutive games reaching base is 48, set by Bobby Abreu from Aug. 15, 2000 through April 10, 2001.
--LF Raul Ibanez laced a ninth-inning single Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to nine games. During the streak, Ibanez is batting .432 (16-for-37) with eight RBIs. He also has 40 total bases this season, second most in the National League.
MEDICAL WATCH:
C Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He could begin a rehab assignment during the weekend of April 24-26, and he might be activated April 27.
LHP Mike Zagurski (Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Clearwater on April 17.
ROTATION:
LHP Cole Hamels
RHP Brett Myers
LHP Jamie Moyer
RHP Joe Blanton
RHP Chan Ho Park
BULLPEN:
RHP Brad Lidge (closer)
RHP Ryan Madson
RHP Chad Durbin
LHP Scott Eyre
RHP Clay Condrey
LHP J.A. Happ
LHP Jack Taschner
CATCHERS:
Chris Coste
Lou Marson
INFIELDERS:
1B Ryan Howard
2B Chase Utley
SS Jimmy Rollins
3B Pedro Feliz
INF Eric Bruntlett
INF Miguel Cairo
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Raul Ibanez
CF Shane Victorino
RF Jayson Werth
OF/INF Greg Dobbs
OF Matt Stairs
