Rodrigo Lopez was a low-risk move for the Phillies, signed to a Minor League deal with the intentions that maybe he could help them at some point this season. That time is now, as the righty faces the Mets on Friday in his first start since 2007.
The Phillies lost, 5-2, on Thursday night to the Braves at Turner Field, to fall into a first-place tie in the National League East with the Marlins. The Mets are a game back. The Phillies have lost 14 of their past 18 games.
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins snapped a career-worst 0-for-28 slump with a single to right field in the third inning Thursday night against the Braves at Turner Field. It was Rollins' first hit since June 18, a span of 14 days and 12 games.
Charlie Manuel is managing the National League All-Star team for one reason only: his players, who won the World Series last season, which is why he is partial to them. He mentioned that Thursday when he talked about his eight selections for the NL All-Star team.
The Phillies said on Thursday that Raul Ibanez has not suffered a setback. Ibanez was scheduled to begin a rehab stint Wednesday, but it got pushed to Thursday, then got pushed to Friday, which means he will not play against the Mets this weekend at Citizens Bank Park.
After Cole Hamels struggled mightily Wednesday at Turner Field, the Phillies are looking to rookie left-hander J.A. Happ to salvage their three-game series against the Braves on Thursday and bring them back to Philadelphia with a victory.
In Wednesday's 11-1 loss to the Braves, Cole Hamels allowed nine hits and seven runs in just four-plus innings after he allowed eight hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings last week against the Blue Jays.
The Phillies had four choices for Friday's start against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park: Rodrigo Lopez, Carlos Carrasco, Andrew Carpenter or Kyle Kendrick. They chose Lopez.
Jimmy Rollins looked like he carried a lead bat to the plate Tuesday at Turner Field. He had not played since Wednesday. In the meantime, he hit only off the practice tee. So when he returned to the Phillies' lineup against the Braves on Tuesday, his timing looked off.
Ryan Madson couldn't believe everything that went wrong Tuesday. First, he picked up his glove to warm up, only to learn it was not his game glove. Second, he issued a two-out walk to Gregor Blanco. Third, his throwing error moved Blanco to second. Then he allowed a double to score Blanco and tie the game.
Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels just hasn't been himself in 2009. Maybe getting back to the National League will help. Hamels, who starts Wednesday night against the Braves at Turner Field, is 4-4 with a 4.44 ERA in 14 starts this season.
The Phillies' bullpen has been struggling lately, and Tuesday was no different. The Phils blew a one-run lead in the eighth inning on their way to a 5-4 loss in 10 innings to the Braves at Turner Field.
As expected, Jimmy Rollins returned to the top spot in the Phillies' lineup for Tuesday night's series opener against the Braves.
Raul Ibanez is eligible to be activated Friday against, but Phillies assistant general manager Benny Looper said it is too early to tell if that could happen -- although it seems unlikely, because it would mean Ibanez would have had just two rehab games to get his timing back at the plate.
The Phillies have named a starter for Thursday's series finale against the Braves at Turner Field. It's J.A. Happ.
The St. Petersburg Police Department has handed a complaint against Phillies left-hander J.C. Romero to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office to determine if prosecutors will charge him with battery.
After thousands of nominees from across the United States and Canada were narrowed to 90 finalists, Major League Baseball and PEOPLE have announced the 30 winners of the "All-Stars Among Us" campaign, which spotlights people who have gone above and beyond to serve their communities.
Joe Savery threw six shutout innings in Reading's 12-2 victory over Trenton on Monday, making him the first 10-game winner in Double-A.
Ruben Amaro Jr. has been on his Blackberry incessantly in recent weeks. He is looking for pitching help, and he is finding this year is much like previous years. There isn't much out there.
Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez said last week that his strained left groin feels much better.
Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez and second baseman Chase Utley continue to lead fan voting at their positions for the National League All-Star team.
The Phillies' lineup on Tuesday night in Atlanta will have a different look to it than it has the past four games. That's because it will feature a big name slotted as the leadoff hitter -- Jimmy Rollins.
The Phillies edged the Blue Jays, 5-4, in a close affair at Rogers Centre on Sunday afternoon. In taking the rubber game of the Interleague series, Philadelphia (39-34) won for just the fourth time in its past 15 games.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie left-hander Antonio Bastardo will miss his next start, scheduled for Wednesday, due to a strained left shoulder, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Sunday.
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Antonio Bastardo
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Jack Taschner
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Jack Taschner
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Jack Taschner
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Jack Taschner
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Raul Ibanez
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Jack Taschner
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Jack Taschner
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Brett Myers
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Raul Ibanez
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