Phillies

Game 84: Chase Utley sticks to plan

NEW YORK — Even a game-tying, life-infusing blast Wednesday could not win Chase Utley a spot in the lineup Thursday.

13 comments

Game 84: Chase Utley sticks to plan

POSTED: Thursday, July 5, 2012, 4:46 PM

Matt Gelb

NEW YORK — Even a game-tying, life-infusing blast Wednesday could not win Chase Utley a spot in the lineup Thursday.

The Phillies said they would religiously stick to a "two days on, one day off" plan for Utley upon his return. The second baseman said his chronically injured knees have felt stronger than last season. He said Wednesday he would discuss with Charlie Manuel his schedule.

Turns out the plan won.

Here is the lineup to face knuckeballing R.A. Dickey:

1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Juan Pierre 7
3. Hunter Pence 9
4. Carlos Ruiz 2
5. Shane Victorino 8
6. Ty Wigginton 3
7. Placido Polanco 5
8. Mike Fontenot 4
9. Cole Hamels 1

Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.

13 comments

Comments (13)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:05 PM, 07/05/2012

Utley made this team watchable again. A game like this he should be playing but I'm guessing they know RA will be lights out and to just save him tomorrow to take the series.

— philaflava

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:10 PM, 07/05/2012

They lost game 1. Series will be over after they get shut out tonight by Dickey.

— itsRyan

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:17 PM, 07/05/2012

Rollins, Polanco, Wiggy, Fontentot. Retread city tonight.

— wo_fat

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:29 PM, 07/05/2012

Game 92 Line Up

1. Jimmy Rollins
2. Chase Utley
3. Hunter Pence
4. Ryan Howard
5. Carlos Ruiz
6. Shane Victorino
7. Placido Polanco
8. Juan Pierre

— philaflava

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:54 PM, 07/05/2012

philaflava...flip utley and pence...let utley protect pence and howard protect utley...i know it is leaving the two lefties back to back but hey it will work

— ndillon

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:54 PM, 07/05/2012

philaflava...flip utley and pence...let utley protect pence and howard protect utley...i know it is leaving the two lefties back to back but hey it will work

— ndillon

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:04 PM, 07/05/2012

If a tree falls.... if an Utley returns late June but only plays 2/3 of the games did he really return before August?

— dinsdale

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:31 PM, 07/05/2012

It would have been nice if Gelb had included in his article Utley's numbers against Dickey. But I guess it's also too hot in New York to work.

— calm weather

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:17 PM, 07/05/2012

He's 2 for 8. OBP .333. 2 strike outs. Not spectacular but serviceable.

— John621

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:32 PM, 07/05/2012

This will help Utley in the long run by not playing. After facing a knuckleballer, everyone is out of whack for a week. Utley does not need that as he tries to get his timing all the way back.

— Clt Philly Fan

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:51 PM, 07/05/2012

Stupid plan! They treat these guys like babies. The guy has been allowed to do his own treatment and is not being overseen by team medical and made to report to Phillies for rehab while being paid a small fortune. Charlie is beginning to outlast his stay here the way this season is going, his line up decisions, and overly cautious "plan". No plan…let the guy play if he wants to play.

— connorjr

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:36 PM, 07/05/2012

Well, it's nice to know there is a plan here, one the team might have actually helped come up with. Did Utley become part owner/GM or something? Did the Cards let Pujols do this much dictating? How about Jeter with the Yankees? I know the guy plays hard, but the 76ers seemed to have the same kind of relationship with Iverson - great player, fan favorite - and conveniently forgot who was supposed to run the franchise. The 76ers are STILL recovering.

— 76erfn