Ruiz's catching job safe despite struggles at plate

But the Phillies' manager also knows he likes Ruiz's defense and his ability to handle the pitching staff. He also knows that if people are screaming about the impact the No. 8 hitter is having on the Phils' offense, it probably means the first seven guys in the lineup aren't doing as much as they should.

But how many more outs in clutch situations can the Phillies take?

Ruiz is hitting just .206 with two home runs and 20 RBIs in 189 at-bats. He has grounded into 11 double plays, second on the team to Pedro Feliz, who has 12 - although Feliz has 119 more at-bats. He has hit just .071 (2 for 28) in his last 10 games, and just .141 (10 for 71) with one homer and five RBIs since May 25.

"It's awfully hard to switch out a catcher midyear," assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said yesterday before the Phillies' 4-1 win over St. Louis at Citizens Bank Park. "He's a catcher who knows our staff. They like him. They're comfortable. He's catching and throwing well."

In fact, Ruiz has a 3.56 catcher's ERA - the best catcher's ERA in the National League.

But double-A Reading catcher Lou Marson entered yesterday hitting .323 with four homers and 44 RBIs in 269 at-bats. He has emerged as one of the organization's premier prospects.

Arbuckle said Marson could make an appearance with the team as a September call-up.

"Marson is getting close," Arbuckle said. "We'd like for him from a development standpoint to just continue what he's been doing at the plate. If you look at the average, you'll say, 'What are you talking about?' But I think from a development standpoint, if we brought him here right now, I'm not sure he would hit that much more than Ruiz is hitting. I'm not sure it's that big an upgrade."

Jason Jaramillo is hitting .251 with five homers and 27 RBIs in 263 at-bats with triple-A Lehigh Valley. He has played no better than OK so far.

"He hasn't played well enough defensively or offensively to say, 'Yeah, he's an upgrade over Carlos Ruiz,' " Arbuckle said.

Just checking

No, the Phillies aren't interested in free agent Barry Bonds.

Happ returns to Lehigh Valley

Happ won't pitch again before the all-star break, and the Phillies said they don't need a fifth starter until their series against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on July 22-24.

That spot against the Mets likely will go to righthander Brett Myers, who will pitch tomorrow for Reading. Myers is expected to have one more start in the minor leagues after the all-star break, which would set him up to face the Mets.

"Hopefully, I can get back," Happ said. "Obviously, nothing is guaranteed. I've just got to go down and try to pitch my butt off to get another shot."

"We're very impressed with him," Manuel said. "We like everything we saw."

Cervenak, 32, hit .310 with seven homers and 52 RBIs for the IronPigs.

Hitting man

It was gremlins

"I think gremlins kick you in the back when you're asleep," Seanez said, " . . . and then you wake up and wonder what the heck happened."

Blue Jays circling

The Blue Jays, who are looking for a shortstop, have made righthander A.J. Burnett available, and are taking a look at the team with the most talent in the Phillies' farm system: righthander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald, catcher Lou Marson and others.

Burnett could be intriguing for the Phillies, although he is owed $24 million in 2009 and 2010. He could opt out of his contract after this season, but for an injury-prone pitcher who is 9-8 with a 5.23 ERA this season, that might be too much of a risk.

Who's the boss?