Chase Utley Needs Some Ice

Chase Utley is the kind of scrappy, do-anything-to-win player that Philly fans adore. His uniform is usually anything but sparking clean at the end of a game.

This year it seems he's been inspired by Jimmy Rollins to jump out to an early lead in his own statistical category: the hit by pitch. He's up to seven on the year already after being drilled by Micah Bowie to lead off the 7th inning in today's victory over Washington--a feat that allowed him to score the go-ahead run later in the inning. With a commanding 3-bean lead, he's well on his way to becoming this generation's Craig Biggio.

(As a team, the Phils have 13 HPB, which is most likely tops in the majors; I can't be sure since I can't find a place that keeps track of things like that.)

With tonight's late inning rally, the good signs keep popping up for the Phillies, even if it takes Chase getting popped in the shoulder a few times. Amusingly, Nationals manager Manny Acta had this to say:

"Baseball is like boxing. If you don't hit, the other guy is going to hit you back."

I think his pitching staff misunderstood him.

And as my pop says--Don't rub it, Chase!