Charlie Manuel, an old-school hitter, likes a good slugfest as much as anybody. But, looking back, even he realizes last season's late surge that culminated in the Phillies' World Series championship had little to do with hitting. "We've got (Cole) Hamels and (Brett) Myers and (Jamie) Moyer and (Joe) Blanton, and they were in our rotation when we peaked real good down the stretch," Manuel said Saturday. "To me, that's what got us into the World Series. That's what definitely won it for us." This year, the formula has been rather different. Through Sunday, the four aforementioned starters, along with newcomer Chan Ho Park, had combined for a 6.71 ERA, worst of any rotation in the majors. But in the absence of even passable starting pitching, the Phillies are getting clutch hits, playing solid defense and getting good relief pitching. Long-term, though, Manuel knows the game plan must involve better starting pitching. "We've got to get better," he said. "We talk about it all the time. Our starting pitching has to be more consistent."
PLAYER NEWS: --LHP Cole Hamels (sprained left ankle) jogged lightly and did conditioning exercises in the outfield before Monday night's game in St. Louis. But a more telling test for the Phillies' ace will come Tuesday when he throws a bullpen session at Busch Stadium. If the Phillies determine Hamels is able to field his position, he will start Friday night at Citizens Bank Park against the Braves. Hamels had his ankle taped during his workout Monday and said he felt fine. Hamels sprained his ankle last Tuesday while fielding a bunt against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.
--CF Shane Victorino was batting .219 and struggling to find his swing three weeks ago. But with his fifth-inning single Monday night, Victorino extended his hitting streak to 13 games. During the streak, he's 19-for-58 (.328) and has hiked his average from .220 to .283. Last season, the switch-hitting Victorino led the Phillies with a .293 average. "Victorino is a high-talented player," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He gets into a streak and he hits as good as anybody in the game. He's an electrifying player. I think he's still in the process of learning himself."
MEDICAL WATCH:
2B Chase Utley (sore right foot) did not start May 2, but he appeared as a pinch hitter. After a rainout on May 3, he was back in the lineup May 4.
C Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Lehigh Valley on April 25 but had a setback April 27. He returned to minor league action April 30, and he was activated by the Phillies on May 1.
RHP Brad Lidge (inflamed right knee) did not pitch April 26-May 1. He returned to action May 2.
LHP Cole Hamels (sprained left ankle) left his April 28 start. He was scheduled for a bullpen session May 5 and, if that goes well, will start the May 8 game.
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:
Carlos Ruiz
Chris Coste
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
