Phils' bullpen coming up big

It is an unlikely and interesting mix that lately has worked.

There is Brett Myers, the opening-day starter who has been converted into a closer. There is Tom Gordon, who is trying to find himself while pitching with torn cartilage in his shoulder. There is Antonio Alfonseca, whom no one other than the Florida Marlins really wanted before the season started, and Jose Mesa and J.C. Romero, a pair of castoffs the Phillies claimed off the scrap heap in recent months.

And then there is Clay Condrey, who has been back and forth from the minors so many times, he jokes he has enough frequent-flier miles to take a trip to the moon.

"They've done a good job," general manager Pat Gillick said. "I think [manager Charlie] Manuel and [pitching coach Rich] Dubee have used them well. They've used them in the right spots. They've put them in positions to succeed."

The Phillies' bullpen, the bane of Manuel's existence for much of the season, has been a stalwart recently as the club has moved within three games of the New York Mets in the National League East and one game of the San Diego Padres in the NL wild-card race.

The bullpen has a 2.30 ERA (18 earned runs in 701/3 innings) since July 17, a stretch of 24 games. The Phillies are 15-9 in that run. Entering last night, the only teams in baseball that had played better were the Arizona Diamondbacks (18-6), New York Yankees (18-7) and Washington Nationals (16-9).

The Phillies open a three-game series against the Nationals tonight at RFK Stadium.

"People might doubt the arms we have in the bullpen," Romero said. "But we're confident because we know what it takes to close games. It might not come as easy as it used to, but we know how to get it done. And right now, this is where you separate the boys from the men. . . . Because these are the games right now that get you into the playoffs."

Myers is 2-2 with a 2.86 ERA and nine saves as a reliever. Gordon is 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA and one save in nine appearances since he returned from the disabled list last month. Alfonseca is 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA and eight saves in 46 appearances.

And then there are Mesa and Romero.

The Detroit Tigers cut Mesa loose because he had a gaudy 12.34 ERA after 12 appearances. But in 24 appearances for the Phillies, he is 0-2 with a 2.52 ERA and one save. The Boston Red Sox cut Romero loose because he had command problems. He has a 1.26 ERA in 21 appearances for the Phillies, although he has walked 14 in 141/3 innings.

Mesa, Gordon and Alfonseca each have more than 100 career saves, which provides the relief corps with experience not often found in bullpens.

"I don't think I've ever been on a team where three or four guys have closed," Mesa said.

"It's refreshing," Romero said. "It's nice knowing that you've got some guys behind you who have been here for many years. So if you're struggling, they know what to say to you to get back in line. I try to learn from those guys. They must be doing something right to be in the big leagues for so many years. I'm really blessed right now."

But there are still 45 games to play, and the Phillies haven't won anything yet. The belief has been if the Phils can get some consistent pitching, they could get on a serious roll because they have the most potent offense in the National League.

"We've been pretty good," Myers said. "Everybody has been doing their job. When the phone rings, we've been ready to go. That's all you can ask."

Actually, Manuel would ask for even more.

"This is a great time," Gordon said. "You're so close, but you're not really there yet."

Utley update. Chase Utley, on the disabled list with a broken right hand, visited hand specialist Randall Culp yesterday. The examination went well, the Phils said. Utley's hand has been placed in a modified splint that will allow him to begin light tossing and exercising today.

Most important, the second baseman could begin hitting within a week.

The Phillies have said they think Utley will be back in the lineup before the end of the month, but Utley will be reexamined by Culp on Monday.

Extra bases.

Righthander Freddy Garcia, who is on the DL with a strained right shoulder, threw batting practice Friday and is scheduled to throw batting practice again today. His return remains uncertain. . . . Righthander Scott Mathieson, who had Tommy John surgery in September, threw well in a rehab start yesterday for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies. In one inning he allowed one walk. He also struck out a batter.