Utley hits three doubles as Phils win
LOS ANGELES - All Chase Utley had seen were fleeting signs of positivity. A swing here, a swing there. Some felt good. Others, not as much.
LOS ANGELES - All Chase Utley had seen were fleeting signs of positivity. A swing here, a swing there. Some felt good. Others, not as much.
There were few results until Wednesday, when Utley hit three doubles in a 5-1 Phillies win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Fourteen games into his return from right thumb surgery, reasonable doubt about him had surfaced.
Right?
"I don't think there is any doubt in anybody's mind he's going to have a monster September and October," rightfielder Jayson Werth said. "It's all set up."
"The only thing wrong with Chase," manager Charlie Manuel said, "is he missed six or seven weeks. It's like spring training all over. That's all I can say."
As for Utley? He's quiet. Always has been, probably always will be. The more he talks, the more attention on his struggles.
Right?
For sure, Roy Oswalt was impressive in overcoming a career-high six walks, and home runs by Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino provided an early lead. But the single most encouraging thing to emerge from Wednesday's win was Utley's swing.
So, Chase, what say you? Does this feel like starting over, like coming back from an off-season?
"No," he said.
Is this like anything you've ever had to do?
"Not really," he said.
Can that explain why it's taken some time for a game like this?
"All it takes is one good swing to feel good," he said.
It was the first time in his career he had ever hit three doubles in a game. He drove in a pair runs, with doubles in the seventh and ninth innings.
The second baseman had gone 23 games without multiple extra-base hits. In the 14 games since coming off the disabled list before Wednesday, he had two extra-base hits - both doubles.
"He had some good swings, especially on the lefties," Manuel said. "He looked good."
Traditionally, the end of the season is a frustrating time for Utley. He usually is worn down from a season of grinding every day, which results in some weight loss, and watching video of swing after swing.
But this year, he had 43 games to rest, both mentally and physically. Utley, of course, was always around the team, even with his right thumb in a splint. He watched video. But mainly, he was reduced to cheerleader, an uncomfortable role, to say the least.
Even before Utley was injured, he was slumping. His .227 batting average and .849 OPS were well off his career pace (.295 and .902, respectively).
Yet Manuel's faith has never wavered when it comes to Utley. The manager is confident in his players - his guys - but none more so than Utley. When the Phillies arrived at Chavez Ravine on Monday, Manuel stood behind the cage as he watched Utley participate in early batting practice. He was pleased with what he saw. Even after an 0 for 4 later that night, Manuel nodded in approval.
"When he didn't get any hits, he was very aggressive," Manuel said. "He had a strong swing."
Now, Utley has five hits in his last nine at-bats. On Wednesday, he hit doubles to right-center and left-center, and one down the left-field line that bounced over the wall.
"They've been in the World Series two years in a row for a reason," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "They're a good team and they're very resilient."
Ah yes, that word again. Resilient. It's one of Manuel's favorites. In 31 days, the manager hopes he can use it again to describe Utley and the rest of his team.
If all it takes is one swing to feel good, how many did the second baseman count Wednesday?
"A couple," Utley said. He smiled.
That could be the best sign yet.
