Phils' Myers enjoys best outing of spring

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The possibility that Cole Hamels might not be ready to start on opening night could create a spotlight opportunity for Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer or Joe Blanton.

The Phils are scheduled to host the major-league opener April 5 against Atlanta. The Sunday night game will be televised by ESPN2.

Myers has started the last two openers for the Phils, coming away without a decision in two losses.

Yesterday, as Hamels was returning from a doctor's exam in Philadelphia, Myers had his best start of the spring, pitching 52/3 scoreless innings in an 8-1 win over Cincinnati. The righthander, who threw curveballs for the first time this spring, walked none and struck out seven while throwing 78 pitches.

"I thought it was a very good outing for Brett," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "One of the kind we need about 35 of from him.

"He threw very well. He had good focus. He mixed his pitches - fastball, change-up and curveball - very well."

Myers tipped his green cap as he left the field to a big ovation from the St. Patrick's Day crowd of 9,202.

Utley's hustle. Second baseman Chase Utley did not look like a guy who was worried about injuring his surgically repaired hip as he dived for a ball up the middle in the first inning and raced from first to third on Eric Bruntlett's double in the second.

"That was a great test for Chase," Dubee said. "That's the way he's going to play during the season - going first to third and first to home and diving for anything in his area code."

Bullpen at work. Relievers Brad Lidge and Chad Durbin both pitched an inning in their first varsity action of the spring. Durbin said his balky hamstring felt fine in a scoreless inning. Lidge, who went 48 for 48 in save opportunities last season, had been easing into action this spring. He allowed a run in the ninth, but was pleased with the way he felt. Both will see more regular work in the rest of camp.

Extra bases. The Phils (7-10) had 14 hits, including six doubles, in the game. . . . Manager Charlie Manuel was absent for the second time in four games as he attended to an undisclosed personal matter. . . . Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer will meet with Phillies players this morning. Fleisher runs a sports communications business that, according to its Web site, urges athletes and sports executives to "take control of your relationship with the media." . . . The Phils host Toronto today. Lefty J.A. Happ continues his bid to win a spot in the starting rotation.