 --SS Jimmy Rollins returned to his customary leadoff spot Thursday after batting in the No. 5 spot for the previous two games. Rollins, who had been dropped in the order because he has been slumping for six weeks, went 1-for-5 in a 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, leaving his average at .200. Rollins also booted a third-inning grounder that allowed Casey Blake to score the tying run. Rollins, a Gold Glove winner for the past two seasons, has committed two errors this season. Asked if he thought Rollins was screened when Blake ran in front of him, manager Charlie Manuel said, "I don't know. You'd have to ask him." But Rollins left the clubhouse after the game without commenting. --C Carlos Ruiz has reached base in eight consecutive plate appearances (four hits, four walks), and he stroked a game-tying, two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning Thursday against Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton. Manager Charlie Manuel attributed Ruiz's hot streak to an adjustment he made at the plate. So, what was the adjustment? "I don't want to tell you," Manuel said with a smile. "What the hell? I might as well tell the Dodgers or something like that. They can adjust to that, too." Ruiz, who spent three weeks on the disabled list last month with a strained right oblique muscle, has raised his average to .257 from .161 in the past two games. --2B Chase Utley set a franchise record with his 89th career hit-by-pitch in the 10th inning of Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers. Utley has been hit by six pitches this season after leading the NL in each of the past two years. In 2007, he was hit by 25 pitches and missed a month of the season after breaking his hand. Last season, he was hit by 28 pitches. Utley missed two games earlier this season after being hit on the right foot by a fastball from Mets RHP Mike Pelfrey. "I don't like to see him get hit a lot," manager Charlie Manuel said. "But I think it's part of who he is, how he plays. I think he sees the ball, and he takes an approach that it's not going to hurt him. So, if he gets hit, he gets hit. At times, I think his approach causes him to get hit." MEDICAL WATCH: The Phillies are healthy. 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
Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: May 15, 2009
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