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Saturday, May 10, 2008
J-Roll Day by the Bay

I remember talking with former Phillies general manager Ed Wade in Clearwater, Fla., during spring training 2005 about their chances to sign Jimmy Rollins to a contract extension.

Wade must have felt pretty optimistic about their chances because he talked openly it, and why they wanted to do it. But I specificially remember Wade saying one of the biggest reasons he wanted to sign Rollins to an extension is because Rollins is a red-light player, meaning he always seems to come up big in the big games. He seems to thrive in moments like that. Moments like last night. Rollins came up big in a 7-4 victory over the Giants at AT&T Park.

He knew everybody would be watching him in his first game back from the DL. He also had family in town as Rollins grew up across the Bay in Alameda.

So what did Rollins do?

He went 3 for 5 with a double, home run and three RBIs.

"Yeah, ankle's broken," Rollins joked afterward.

Charlie Manuel seemed downright giddy afterward in his office.

"I'm happy that we got everybody back now," he said. "I think we're going to play better. I think we're going to go get the East."

*

Righthander Kris Benson is throwing a bullpen today in Clearwater, Fla.

*

Rollins talked before the game about his ankle, his time last week in the minors and his ability to compete immediately.

*

The Phillies optioned Brad Harman to double-A Reading to make room for Rollins on the 25-man roster.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 3:16 PM  Permalink | 14 comments
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Comments
Posted by Norma 04:25 PM, 05/10/2008
HOWARD HIT A HR!!! Howard? Home run? Another oxymoron? LOL!
Posted by Norma 05:52 PM, 05/10/2008
Unfortunately, this has been the highlight so far. I saw Lincecum pitch when SF was in Philly. That was a back and forth game, that we won in the 9th. This is a whole different story. Only 2 hits to Giants 10!
Posted by Norma 06:36 PM, 05/10/2008
The good news? NO strike-outs for Howard!
Posted by KarenA 07:25 PM, 05/10/2008
The bad new is Lincecum held the Phils to just 4 hits while the Giants had 15. Yikes! Moyer was off his game today. Guess I'm glad the game wasnt televised!?! Glad to see Howard get a HR. Each time he gets a "big" hit I think maybe this is the turn-around he needed. Let's hope so :-)
Posted by Norma 07:57 PM, 05/10/2008
I was glad it wasn't televised too, KarenA! I checked *game day* on the Phillies site a few times, and cringed each time.
Posted by Clinton, NJ 08:33 PM, 05/10/2008
Chase and Pat are heading down a spiral! Chase will be ok, but Pat im not so sure about. Phils do have problems with good pitchers, but thats why they are good, most teams do! The top of the lineup has to do a better job. 123 in the lineup stunk today! I think Howard might just be showing signs of life, he's walking more and got a hit in back-to-back games for the first time in a long time I believe, so thats a good sign. Lets hope they take another series tomorrow!
Posted by John in LA 10:02 PM, 05/10/2008
I was pretty negative yesterday; fair point. Lincecum was as-advertised. The guy is a stud. Burrell and Utley need to get going again. Maybe Howard is coming around. Those Marlins make me a little nervous. Let's take the series tomorrow!
Posted by Mark1npt 10:06 PM, 05/10/2008
We still haven't beaten another team's ace and what's most concerting is we don't even compete against them, we just lay down like wimps.....not what championship caliber teams do......
Posted by Billy The Kid 11:34 PM, 05/10/2008
Mark, once again, you spew bad information on this forum. Just a week ago, the Phillies beat Lincicum (though Lincicum didn't get the loss) and earlier in the year, they beat Carlos Zambrano. Not to mention they've more than laid "down like wimps" in a 6-4 loss to Santana and a 2-1 loss to Oswalt. Mark, or should I call you Truth...either way, you're awful.
Posted by yahmpy 08:20 AM, 05/11/2008
Fantastic quote in Mike Vaccaro's column in the New York Post this morning: "Let's just say that when you see Bobby Abreu inching toward the right-field wall, the first image that jumps to mind isn't exactly William Wallace charging at the English army."
Posted by Clinton, NJ 10:35 AM, 05/11/2008
Another lefty for the Phils today, that sucks! The guy they are facing is good at home, but not during the day, so maybe they can get to him. Lets hope we get the good side of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde today!
Posted by Mark1npt 12:34 PM, 05/11/2008
Billy, did you read what you just wrote? Are you really believing it? They didn't beat Lincecum last week, they beat a reliever...you said it right there. They looked and approached at bats against Santana and Oswalt like they had no clue. Oswalt had a 9.00+ ERA going into that game. They know what these guys throw and to go up there and look so bad doing it, as professionals is terrible....they couldn't muster anything. The Zambrano game I don't even remember but I bet their bullpen gave it up in that one as well....You're the one with no clue...and stop calling mr Truth, I have nothing to do with that bozo.
Posted by Norma 01:50 PM, 05/11/2008
Ace pitchers are *aces* for a reason. MOST teams don't beat them! Not saying it can't be done, but let's be realistic. Too bad we don't ahve a "true" ace. At least we don't have to face Linecum the rest of the season!
Posted by Billy The Kid 10:16 PM, 05/11/2008
Mark, you are so clueless about the game, it's almost comical. First of all, they beat Zambrano AND he got the loss. Myers beat him. Game was at CB...first game of the series. Second of all, if an "ace" starts and you win, you beat their ace. Especially in the case of that Lincicum game when they hit him around and were winning the game by 3 runs before Ryan Madson took Lincicum off the hook for the loss by giving up the lead in relief. By your definition of beating another teams ace, it rarely happens at all since most "aces" are only charged about 5 or 6 losses/season. Get a clue Mark, you're an embarrassment.
14 comments
About Todd Zolecki
Todd Zolecki is in his sixth season covering the Phillies. Born and raised in Milwaukee – he suffered through the Packers’ crushing loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field in January – he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a journalism degree.