The Latest Breaking News from Rob Thomson

WASHINGTON — For two and a half weeks, as the Phillies pumped life back into their season, the bats were the defibrillator. But some of the paddles needed to be recharged Saturday.

WASHINGTON — It took 27 players, to say nothing of a savvy move by a veteran third base coach, over 19 innings that spanned more than seven hours by day and by night.

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies’ 7-5 win on Friday night was not as triumphant of some of their previous victories. Their didn’t win it on a walk-off or score double-digit runs. But they scored just enough to protect their lead against a seventh-inning bullpen implosion, and, with that, took their eighth…

MILWAUKEE — It’s been a week since Dave Dombrowski woke up, went for a jog, and decided to fire Joe Girardi.

MILWAUKEE — Bryson Stott can admit the truth now. He put too much pressure on himself at the beginning of the season. Not only did he make the team out of spring training, but he was the Phillies’ opening-day third baseman. It was a lot for a rookie who had…

PHILADELPHIA — When the Phillies got rid of Joe Girardi before breakfast on Friday morning, they found themselves. They scored 26 runs in three games, their second-highest run total in three straight games this season. Except this time they did it without their starting second baseman, their starting shortstop, and…

MILWAUKEE — Just when you thought the Phillies had run out of ninth-inning magic, or that they left Rob Thomson’s pixie dust at home, they recorded their most improbable victory of the season against the most unhittable closer in baseball.

Part of the problem with rebuilding a team primarily through free agency is that it tends to leave a shortfall in homegrown talent. And because the expectation to win grows in lockstep with a skyrocketing payroll, it can be difficult to show patience with the few young players who are…

Phillies slugger hints that new manager means more opportunities for Bryson Stott and other younger players.