Marc Narducci
Lost in the light of Domonic Brown’s first career walk-off hit and Ryan Howard’s first home run in 71 plate appearances, was a fairly gritty effort by John Lannan.
The Phillies lefthander, making his first start since suffering a strained quad tendon in his left knee on April 17, pitched five innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs in Monday’s 5-4 win over the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. He struck out four and walked one.
Lannan threw 92 pitches and seemed to struggle in the beginning but he kept fighting and finished by retiring the heart of the order in a 1-2-3 fifth inning.
Philly.com Sports
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. shared his thoughts on the state of the team before Monday's game against the Nationals. The Inquirer's Marc Narducci reports from Citizens Bank Park.
Marc Narducci
The Phillies and Washington Nationals have only played each other three times this season, which means there are 16 games left between these two N. L. East rivals.
The Nationals won two of three on Memorial Day weekend in Washington. In the understatement of the year, both teams have been disappointing, with Washington even more so than the Phillies. While the Phillies are 33-37, Washington, a trendy pick to represent the N.L. in the World Series, is just 34-34.
The Nationals offense has been anemic and they are without Bryce Harper, on the disabled list with a knee injury.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
DENVER — The tedious process of returning from an oblique injury rambles forward for Chase Utley. He took batting practice with his teammates Friday and Saturday for the first time since injuring his midsection on a BP swing in Miami last month.
He reported no complications.
"Good," Utley said. "Good."
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
DENVER — After soaking himself in the hot tub, Jimmy Rollins searched for his manager. He told him his bothersome hip, caused by a foot problem that altered his running, was too sore. He could not play.
Charlie Manuel does not expect the injury to sideline Rollins for very long. He said Rollins could play Saturday.
It is an issue Rollins has played through for about two weeks. Rollins fouled two balls off his right foot May 31. He missed one game and has played in every since. On Tuesday, Rollins limped to the dugout after a groundout in Minneapolis.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
DENVER — The Phillies have signed seven of their top 11 selections from last week's player draft, including their second- and third-round picks, the team said Friday.
Andrew Knapp, a catcher from the University of California, signed for $1.03 million, according to Baseball America. Cord Sandberg, a touted prospect who dropped to the third round because of signability questions, agreed to a $775,000 bonus.
Jake Sweaney, a prep catcher from Bakersfield, Calif., bypassed a scholarship to the University of Oregon to sign for $400,000. He was picked in the fourth round.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
DENVER — Ben Revere called it "fun." Charlie Manuel went beyond that.
"That's the best game I've seen him play," Manuel said. "That's the best game I've seen him play so far, without a doubt."
For one night, Revere fulfilled the Phillies' expectations for him in a 3-2 victory over Minnesota. He batted atop the lineup Thursday, created energy with his bat and legs, and made plays happen. He had four hits, which tied a career high, including his hardest-hit ball of the season that landed as a triple to deep right-center.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MINNEAPOLIS — Wally Joyner flipped some balls to Chase Utley in an underground batting cage Wednesday afternoon and the second baseman swung away. But, later, when the team took batting practice at Target Field, Utley was still stuck behind a screen at second base.
The team has no date for Utley's return from a strained right oblique because Utley has not yet taken live batting practice. That could happen this weekend in Denver. Both player and team predicted a "mid-June" return, although that is less likely by the day. A more realistic scenario is sometime next week
Any timing is subject to chance because swinging is the most demanding test for an oblique injury. Some soreness could slow the process.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MINNEAPOLIS — Weeks before the Phillies gathered in Florida for spring training, there was one reason for Charlie Manuel to be excited. Sure, there were others. But one stuck out.
"I think that you can see our bullpen really blossom with who we have," Manuel said Jan. 28.
Here we are, 65 games into the season, and the Phillies' bullpen ERA of 4.48 ranks 28th in baseball.
- Poll: Who is the Phils' biggest bullpen bust? (2291 votes)
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MINNEAPOLIS — Mike Adams clutched his right arm, wrapped in ice, before Tuesday's series opener at Target Field. It is rare for a reliever to require that pregame, but Adams had just thrown a brief bullpen session.
"I just wanted to push some of the rust out," Adams said.
Adams had not pitched in four days because of biceps tendinitis. He was not available for the final three games in Milwaukee and his status was unknown Tuesday. Manager Charlie Manuel said he was not yet aware if he had his setup man.
