Manuel says it’s time for Phillies to take spring hitting seriously

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Even taking into consideration that it's spring training, the numbers have not been pretty for the Phillies these past eight games:

Losses: seven.

Runs allowed: 63.

Potential regulars hitting at or below .250: six.

Yesterday brought intermittent rain and another notch in the loss column, this one in the form of a 9-1 defeat to Atlanta. Afterward, Charlie Manuel decided he had seen — and heard — enough out of his team.

"It's about time for us to talk," the Phillies' manager said. "We've got some guys who are too cool...there's a fine line between having a real good time and being relaxed and enjoying what you are doing and taking it for granted and getting complacent. We've got some of that, but it's nothing we can't take care of."

So much attention has been paid to the Phillies' attempt to fill out their pitching staff, it's easy to forget that the team entered yesterday's game hitting just .260, fourth-worst among National League clubs. Although righthander Francisco Rosario was the latest pitcher to struggle, allowing six earned runs in the second inning, Phillies' batters finished with just six hits.

Jayson Werth and Geoff Jenkins, both of whom are expected to play extensively in rightfield, each went 0-for-2 to drop their spring averages to .174 and .162 respectively. Joining them at or below the Mendoza Line are outfielder Pat Burrell (.194) and infielders Jimmy Rollins (.156) and Chase Utley (.200).

Manuel didn't mention specific names, but said that he felt there were a few players taking spring training, and their roles on the team, for granted.

"I think different individuals will look at things in different ways and I think sometimes they like their position...and they take for granted that just because they are a regular player they are always going to be or that somebody can't beat them out, and that's not the right attitude to take."

Manuel made a statement of sorts 2 nights ago when he kept his starting lineup in for all nine innings of a 6-1 loss to the Reds. Afterward, the manager downplayed any symbolic significance, saying he feels as if it is time to start getting his projected regulars more at-bats.

Indeed, the final 2 weeks of spring training are the ideal time for a team to find its groove. The first month or so can be a grind, particularly for a position player like Utley who is getting two or three at-bats in meaningless games, with a 162-game schedule looming.

"Spring training's hard to find that true intensity that you get during the season," said Utley, who has just six hits in 30 at-bats this spring. "Sometimes you've got to pretend that it's there, if that makes sense. You've got to psyche yourself up and it's difficult at times. We still have a few weeks to go, and this is the time in spring training where you start to turn the corner."

Utley acknowledged the need for the Phillies to start turning that corner. With 16 games remaining and 16 played (the Phils are 5-11-1), there is still plenty of time. Each starting pitcher figures to get three more appearances. Projected regulars like Utley, who has hit at least .290 in each of the past three seasons and likely isn't one of the players causing Manuel concern, will probably get between 35-50 more at-bats. Now that the spring-training roster has been pared down to 43 from more than 60, the clubhouse is starting to feel more like the one that will spend April through September together.

"You have to look at the overall big picture of what we're trying to accomplish, and that's to get ready for the first game," Utley said, "which is most important."

Lidge eyes action

Brad Lidge thinks he can pitch in a Grapefruit League game as early as Wednesday or Thursday. The closer faced live hitters yesterday for the first time since injuring his knee 3 weeks ago in practice. He faced about 10 hitters and threw about 35 pitches. Afterward, he reported no pain in his surgically repaired knee and said his arm felt fine.

"I honestly feel like I could go out in games right now and face guys but I know they obviously want to make sure I can work through drills and stuff and be able to field my position before I go out into a game," he said.

Pitching woes continue

No player has felt the pain of the Phillies' spring-pitching struggles quite like Brent Lillibridge.

The Braves' infielder was plunked in each of his first two at-bats yesterday afternoon, a tangible reminder of the state of flux in which the home team's staff sits.

The latest pitcher to play hot potato with the No.5 spot in the rotation was Francisco Rosario. Just 12 hours before, Charlie Manuel had sat on a folding chair in Sarasota and indicated that the righthander had the opportunity to pitch himself into competition for the final starting spot. Yet, in his first start of the spring, Rosario was torched for six runs in the second inning, hitting two batters and allowing a grand slam to Yunel Escobar in the process.

To be fair, Rosario pitched in an intermittent light rain in a game that was delayed 31 minutes. The righthander said the moisture affected his grip on the ball, rendering his slider all but useless.

Manuel, though, didn't sound as if he would take that into consideration when evaluating where Rosario's roster chances.

"He was having a hard time throwing strikes," Manuel said. "Then, all of a sudden, he started to overthrow. He hit a couple of batters, he got behind, and [the Braves] started hitting him. He kind of lost his composure and didn't have control."

Rosario had allowed just one run in his first 8 innings pitched. He was inconsistent last season, going 0-3 with a 5.47 earned run average in 23 appearances with the Phillies, but played well for the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series this offseason.

Phillers

Adam Eaton will start today for the first time since back problems hampered him against the Rays 9 days ago. Also scheduled to pitch are J.D. Durbin, Fabio Castro and J.C. Romero...T.J. Bohn, Greg Golson, Brandon Watson, Josh Outman and Carlos Carrasco were optioned to the minor leagues...Greg Dobbs hit his second home run of the spring. *