Notes: Utley's hitting streak up to 21

07/19/2006
SAN DIEGO -- The conversation has become repetitive.
The question goes: So, Chase Utley, how's that hitting streak?
"I can't hear you," the Phillies' All-Star second baseman says, with a sly smile. He added a new wrinkle on Wednesday, placing his finger in front of his lips.
Utley's bat has done most of the talking. Starting with a June 23 homer off Boston's Josh Beckett, Utley has bashed his way on base in a career-best 21 games. Through Wednesday, he's batting .411 (37-for-90) during the streak, with 10 doubles, one triple and four homers.
He extended his hitting streak to 21 with a third-inning double off Padres starter Mike Thompson. He is the 17th different Phillie to amass a streak of at least 20 games. His current run is the longest active streak in the Majors and is the third longest overall this season. Atlanta's Edgar Renteria had a 23-game streak earlier this season.
While Utley didn't want to jinx his amazing recent consistency, teammate Jimmy Rollins didn't mind, and the good news is that Rollins knows something about hitting streaks.
"He has a great swing, but that doesn't necessarily translate to long hitting streaks," Rollins said. "He's been doing it so far."
Rollins disputed the notion that Utley has a better chance of reaching that 56-game stratosphere because he's quick and can beat out infield hits. Speed is nice, Rollins said, but it's not everything.
"You're not going to get to 56 games by beating out infield hits all the time," Rollins said. "If you do, I need to talk to you and find out how you did that. They always want to play speed to a factor of a hitting streak, but it's your swing that gets you, not your speed. For the most part, when an infielder gets the ball, you're going to be out at first, regardless of how fast you are."
Rollins said he didn't really think about his streak until it reached 32, because that set a new franchise mark, then again just before the 2006 season. He figures Utley will have a similar experience, but still has to nearly double his current mark.
"If he gets to 37 with a chance to tie or break, then it will really mean something for us," Rollins said. "After that, it's 44. It's hard to pay attention until they start approaching the number of the last guy."
Who would that be?
"In media circles, it will be he's chasing Jimmy Rollins," Rollins said, smiling, then began of thinking of headlines. "Then it will be CHASEing DiMaggio."
Coste-ing: Catcher Chris Coste likely doesn't remember each of the steps during his first career jog around the bases, but he'll always remember the feeling.
"When I crossed home plate, I said to [Padres catcher] Josh Bard, 'I didn't think this was ever going to happen.'"
Coste, 33, might as well have been talking about his Major League run, which is approaching its third month and may be reaching its apex. The right-handed hitter started his career 0-for-12, but is now batting .333 (17-for-51).
Coste has driven in nine runs starting at catcher, adding offense to one of the more dormant offensive positions.
"I'm starting to like Coste more," Manuel said. "I say he's going to play some more. Keep hitting, you might play forever. I've been pleased with how he's caught. I think we'll ride the wave and see where it takes us."
While Coste hopes his offense and defense keeps him in the big leagues longer, he knows the reality of his situation. The Phils might have a decision to make as early as Friday, when Sal Fasano is eligible to come off the disabled list.
"A guy in my shoes, there's not a lot of breathing room for me to stick around," Coste said. "I can't afford to have two bad games in a row. I feel like I have to get two hits a game, and that may not be true, but that's what it feels like."
Does he feel more secure after Wednesday?
"Certainly, but at the same time, I don't know what move they can possibly make, other than me, so ... if I were to get sent down, it wouldn't be as heartbreaking, because I proved at the highest level that I can play and did everything in my power to stay," Coste said. "It would be disappointing, certainly, but it wouldn't be shocking."
Coste was thrilled that Bard was there to see his homer. The two became good friends as Minor Leaguers in 2001 and 2002 in the Indians organization, and the two had a friendly competition going.
"We have a little contest, offense, defense, team win kind of thing," Coste said. "Last time we kind of pushed. We each hit a home run and a double, but we won, so I won."
Coste retrieved the home run ball and said he plans to spread the wealth. He gave the ball from his first hit to his mother, and has this one earmarked for his grandfather.
First time finally: The first time reliever Geoff Geary came to San Diego as a big leaguer, he watched the game from the stands.
To explain, the right-hander had been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the day before that 2004 trip, so he spent the first game in the seats he left for his family and friends. They watched with him.
When he made the trip to San Diego last season, he survived being optioned, but he didn't pitch in the series. The righty made up for lost time this week, when he appeared in all three games.
"I waited so long to pitch here," Geary said. "My parents said it brought them to tears to finally get a chance to be with their family and friends and watch their hometown son pitch. Then it brought me back to Jack Murphy Stadium [now Qualcomm Stadium] saying, 'One day, I'm going to be out there playing against those guys.' It all came true that [first game of the series]."
Geary, who estimated that he had about 80-100 people during the series, described in great detail his thought process during his first outing, when he gave up two long fly outs. He thought both were home runs, but was delighted to see them land in outfielder Shane Victorino's glove. Geary's emotions were much higher than he thought they'd be, just because of the location.
"It didn't really hit me until I got out on the mound," he said. "Normally, my adrenaline is pretty high, but it was through the roof. I'm 30 years old, been doing this a while, but I still felt a rush.
"There were so many people in the stands that I know, high school coaches. It wasn't like I was nervous or scared to be out there. It was like I'm going to show all you people that I belong here."
Coming up: After eight straight outings without a victory, Cory Lidle, who faces Atlanta's John Smoltz in Friday's 7:05 p.m. ET series opener at Citizens Bank Park, has won each of his previous two starts. In Lidle's last outing in San Francisco, he figured out a way to win despite not having his best stuff.
The Phillies right-hander gave up five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings, but the Phils battled back to get him the victory. Lidle is 2-0 in two starts against the Braves this season, allowing a combined five earned runs in 12 innings while striking out 12.

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/