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PHAIR AND PHOUL

* First at second: Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson says the Yankees' Robinson Cano has surpassed Boston's Dustin Pedroia as the best second baseman in the American League. But, perhaps demonstrating that his judgment isn't skewed by the fact that he works for the Bronx Bombers, he didn't say that Cano was yet the best at his position in all of baseball. "Then he has to chase Chase" Utley, Reg-gie told the New York Post.

* First at second: Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson says the Yankees' Robinson Cano has surpassed Boston's Dustin Pedroia as the best second baseman in the American League. But, perhaps demonstrating that his judgment isn't skewed by the fact that he works for the Bronx Bombers, he didn't say that Cano was yet the best at his position in all of baseball. "Then he has to chase Chase" Utley, Reg-gie told the New York Post.

* Morning line: Righthander Phillippe Aumont had a no-hitter through six innings in his last start for the Double A Reading Phillies and was named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week. For the season, Aumont, acquired from the Seattle Mariners along with Tyson Gillies and J.C. Ramirez for Cliff Lee, is 1-1 with a 3.32 earned run average in four starts.

And how does that compare with Kyle Drabek, the pitcher he more or less replaced in the organization after the former Phillies No. 1 draft choice was sent to Toronto as part of the Roy Halladay deal? Pretty favorably, actually. Drabek is 3-1, 3.80 for the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

* Add Aumont: Aumont and Drabek started against each other at Reading on April 14. Aumont went 5 2/3 innings, allowed three runs on six hits and didn't get a decision. Drabek gave up three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings and took the loss.

* Second add Aumont: The 6-7 righthander has gotten a little bit better in each start so far. He allowed four runs in his first game and has been charged with three, one and none in subsequent outings.

* Division data: The Phillies got off to a fast start this year, but it was discounted somewhat because they went 4-2 against the Nationals in the first week-and-a-half. Think again. Washington is now 12-10, 10-6 against everybody other than the Phillies. "You can't keep denying us," outfielder Willie Harris told the Washington Post. "Nobody gives us credit for anything . . . until we beat their [rear ends]."

* Add Nats: The Phillies don't play the Nationals again until the end of July and, by then, both touted starter Stephen Strasburg and reliever Drew Storen should be pitching in the majors. "Help is on the way. It's going to be a fun summer," predicted third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.

* Cliff-hanger: Phillies phan phavorite Cliff Lee will make his first start for the Seattle Mariners tonight at Safeco Field against Texas. He missed most of the first month with a lower-abdomen injury. As happy as Phillies Nation is to have Roy Halladay, there still is a sizable segment that's plenty steamed the team didn't keep Lee as well.