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AUDIO (CSN Philly): With the Phillies officially reeling -- Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Braves capped their fourth series sweep this season, their 10th in their last 11 and 25th since June 1, sent them into the All-Star break with their worst record (37-50) since 1997 (when they were 24-61) and with their deepest NL East hole (14 games) since 2002 (then 16 back) -- Charlie Manuel says he's out of ideas. Said he thinks he's tried everything, but he'll keep trying super hard. Open to suggestions, even. (Interesting change of tone...)

AUDIO (CSN Philly): Asked if Shane Victorino asked himself out of the lineup Sunday, Charlie Manuel went Elmer Fudd. What he said coherently? That he gave Victorino the day off after seeing how "down" he was about his 2012 season individually (pretty sour for a contract year), and that he told Victorino about it himself. (Very Charlie Manuel, indeed.) Insisted that Victorino wasn't upset about batting seventh. How he used to sound? A little like this...

AUDIO (Morning Call): Comic relief: Asked about his first hit of 2012 -- a double in his Friday debut, 84 games into the season -- Ryan Howard said he "had no clue" about what happened after he swung, and just "ran like hell."

AUDIO (Sixers.com, CSN Philly): Andre Iguodala said he didn't lose sleep over making the U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball team. With glowing quotes from like these from USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo -- he called Iguodala "a stopper" who could "guard just about anybody" -- why would he?

SCRIPTUALS (Philly.com): David Montgomery tells all in exclusive Q&A with David Murphy. Hits on Charlie Manuel's job security; whether his agenda aligns with that of the club, long-term; whether the Phillies are buyers or sellers or anything, and for how much longer that's subject to change; and, of course, whether Cole Hamels will play 2013 in Philly, or not.

SCRIPTUALS (CSN Philly): Speaking of, Cole Hamels is totally OK with the idea of ending the season as a (insert pre-deadline trade partner) and opening 2013 as a Phillie. Telling sit-down between Cole and Leslie Guidel, transcript of which is available here.

SCRIPTUALS (CSN Philly): Jimmy Rollins is a professional. Really.

STATISTICALS (Todd Zolecki, MLB.com):

STATISTICALS (John Finger, CSN Philly):

Sunday’s loss was the Phillies’ fourth in a row, 10th in their last 11 games and 25th defeat since June 1. It also sent them into the All-Star break with their worst record (37-50) since 1997 when they were 24-61 and with their largest deficit in the NL East (14 games) since 2002 when they trailed by 16 games.

STATISTICALS (Elias):

Brian McCann's home run highlighted a 4-3 win for the Braves, a victory that completed a three-game sweep in Philadelphia. McCann became only the second player to hit a home run in each of his first five games against the Phillies in a given season, joining Houston's Glenn Davis, who did that in 1989.

STATISTICALS (ESPN Stats and Info):

Brian McCann hit his 9th career grand slam in the 8th (of the Phils Friday loss to the Braves). Both of his grand slams this season have been against the Phillies. (Stat in the reply tweet is wrong. People...)

STATISTICALS (ESPN Stats and Info): After doubling in his first at-bat of the 2012 season, Ryan Howard has recorded a multi-hit game in his first game of year for the third-straight season.

ON THIS DAY:

1968 - The first All-Star baseball game to be played indoors took place at the Astrodome in Houston, TX.

1985Herschel Walker of the New Jersey Generals was named the Most Valuable Player in the United States Football League (USFL).

1985Joe Namath signed a five-year pact with ABC-TV to provide commentary for "Monday Night Football."

1997Mike Tyson was banned from the boxing ring and fined $3 million for biting the ear of opponent Evander Holyfield.

2000Pete Sampras set a record when he won the men's singles tennis championship at Wimbledon. It was his 13th Grand Slam title.

2002 - The Major League Baseball All-Star Game ended in a 7-7 tie after 11 innings. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig called the game after both team managers informed him that they had run out of players.

 

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