Lehigh Valley

ALLENTOWN - Whether it's at this year's trade deadline or after the season, one of the most difficult decisions in franchise history is going to have to be made in the not-too-distant future. Chase Utley: stay or go? Much of that decision will be influenced by the play of the team and the play of the veteran second baseman who so far has been solid offensively and shaky at times defensively. Some of the decision will also be influenced by the play of Cesar Hernandez, the 22-year-old second baseman at triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Even though righthander B.J. Rosenberg was called up three times last year by the Phillies, he was surprised that it happened on Friday. The Phillies recalled Rosenberg from triple-A Lehigh Valley and optioned lefthander Raul Valdes to the IronPigs. Valdes had a 7.65 ERA in 10 relief appearances this season. "I was kind of shocked," Rosenberg said before Friday's game with the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. "I really wasn't expecting anything, but obviously am very excited to get the opportunity.

Despite a slow start, Lehigh Valley's Tommy Joseph still heads up an impressive list of catching prospects in the Phillies organization. Joseph, who turns 22 in July, batted .200 in his first five games. But more troubling was that he had six passed balls in that span. "He has been trying to do too much too early and just has to settle in and play," said Joe Jordan, the Phillies' director of player development. "He caught so well in camp and drew a lot of praise from minor-league pitchers and staff.

READING - Andrew Carpenter struck out seven in his second start since being called up from single-A Clearwater to lead the Reading Phillies past the Portland Sea Dogs, 7-2, in the Eastern League last night. Rochester 3, Lehigh Valley 2 Rochester 5, Lehigh Valley 0 ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Kris Benson went six innings for the IronPigs, allowing two runs, in the opener of an International League doubleheader.

PHOENIX - The decision was made long before Tyler Cloyd allowed just two runs in 6 1/3 innings and pitched well enough to win Friday's 3-2 Phillies loss. Reliever Justin De Fratus was put on a cross-country flight to Arizona prior to the start of the game. "They told me no matter what happened they were going to send me down," Cloyd said. The Phillies do not need a fifth starter until May 21. They can go two turns through the rotation without one because of two off days next week.

IN ADDITION TO righting their ship, the Phillies also must avoid taking on more water, a task that became more challenging yesterday when a couple of their stars were sidelined with injuries. Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard will both undergo MRIs today as the Phillies prepare to start a three-game series against the Marlins in Miami. At least for the moment, Ruiz' injury appears to be more significant. The catcher suffered a right hamstring strain while moving from first to third on a single in the second inning.

The Phillies optioned lefthander Raul Valdes to Lehigh Valley and called up righthander B.J. Rosenberg from the IronPigs. Valdes may have sealed his fate when he allowed a three-run home run to Jason Kipnis in Wednesday's 10-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians. The 32-year-old Valdes had a 7.65 ERA in 10 appearances this season for the Phillies. Rosenberg was 1-3 with a 4.40 ERA in seven starts for Lehigh Valley this season. Last season he split time with Reading, Lehigh Valley and the Phillies.

READING - Mike Spidale's eighth-inning home run helped the Reading Phillies edge the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 4-3, Saturday in the Eastern League. Matthew Rizzotti and Tagg Bozied also homered for Reading. Sergio Escalona earned his first win of the season, and John Ennis got the save. Ennis was sent to Reading from Lehigh Valley on Saturday. Buffalo 4, Lehigh Valley 1 ALLENTOWN - Melvin Dorta's home run was all the offense the IronPigs could muster in a loss to the Bisons in the International League.

READING - Mike Spidale capped a five-run fifth inning with a three-run homer to lead the Reading Phillies over the Trenton Thunder, 11-3, in Eastern League play last night. Javon Moran and Mike Eylward each drove in two runs for Reading. Pawtucket 3, Lehigh Valley 2 ALLENTOWN - Pawtucket scored one run each in the eighth and ninth innings for a come-from-behind win over the IronPigs. Pawtucket's Jeff Bailey drove home the go-ahead run in the ninth on a single off of Lehigh Valley's closer, Jason Anderson.

ALTOONA, Pa. - The Reading Phillies' Alex Concepcion and Pat Overholt combined on a one-hit shutout for a 5-0 victory in the second game and a doubleheader sweep of the Altoona Curve last night in the Eastern League. The Phillies took the opener, 5-3. Quintin Berry hit a two-run single in the top of the sixth. Durham 5, Lehigh Valley 4 ALLENTOWN - Chris Richard's two-run homer in the top of the ninth sent the Bulls past the IronPigs in the International League. David Newhan and Lou Marson homered for Lehigh Valley.