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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 12:52 AM Wednesday, July 8, 2009

PHILADELPHIA — Robert Manuel is no relation to Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel, so don't expect the Phillies to go easy if R.M. makes his major-league debut in this city.

Manuel was called up to replenish the depleted bullpen after the Reds were outscored, 32-2, in the previous two games and when the 26-year-old righthander makes his first appearance he'll be the fourth Reds player to make his major-league debut this year.

"We have half the Louisville bullpen here. That's what you want from your farm system," said Dusty Baker, putting a positive spin on the fact Manuel, Josh Roenicke and Carlos Fisher started the season in Louisville.

Manuel was 3-3 with a 2.51 ERA and eight saves in 32 appearances, doing everything from long relief to middle relief to set-up to closer.

"He throws strikes and the great thing is he has gotten lefthanders out in the minor leagues better than righthanders," said Baker. "He is not going to pop your eyes out, but he gets people out. That's what it is all about."

Manuel was paying attention to what was happening with the Reds and when the Lousville Bat embarked on a trip last week, "I packed a couple of red-sleeved shirts, just in case," he said.

Manuel's parents, Rocky and Lisa, were on the trip with him, "And when my dad heard about my call-up he was eating a cookie and almost choked to death. They wanted to know if they could room with me and I said, 'I don't think that's going to happen.'"

His parents did come to Philadelphia and will go to New York and Manuel said, "I've never seen my parents spend so much money and not care. They were all hysterical and I was the only cool one."

Where's the changeup?

Baker's advice to Johnny Cueto after Monday's start (two-thirds of an inning, nine runs, five hits, three walk, a hit batter): "The main thing is for him to forget that start or things can compound."

Baker agrees that Cueto is not using his highly effective changeup as much these days as he has in the past, relying too much on a slider.

"That's part of his problem," Baker agreed. "He has to re-adjust and that's part of the whole deal. There were a couple of times he got beat on a changeup and sometimes a pitcher will shelve something he got beat on.

"You don't shelve your fastball when you get beat on it, do you?" Baker continued. "It's part of the growing process."

Janish ERA: 49.50

Somebody asked infielder Paul Janish about his arm, "How's it hanging?" It was in reference to Janish's second bullpen appearance this year, a 29-pitch eighth inning Monday during which he gave up six runs in the 22-1 defeat.

In two appearances, Janish has given up 11 runs, nine hits and three home runs in two innings, a 49.50 earned run average.

"Sore," was his answer to the question. Both times he pitched Janish retired the first batter before the cliff fell on him and he said, "Arthur Rhodes told me I had to work on getting that second and third outs because I had the first out down pat.

"I had hoped to lower my ERA this time, but that didn't work out," he said. "Next time I'm going to throw knuckleballs because 89 to 91 miles an hour fastballs just doesn't cut it."

Manuel's view

Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel is not a fan of using position players to pitch in blowout games.

"I never had (a position player pitch) and I don't plan on using one," he said. "I never did that when I was in the minor leagues. I have my own belief in that. I think when I've got 12 or 13 pitchers, I have enough pitchers to cover that. We either need to get tougher or get another pitcher."

Quote of the day

"As of late, I was a closer, but I've been used pretty much everywhere in relief. Wherever they stuck me I tried to do the job." — New relief pitcher Robert Manuel.

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& he sure seems to be losing his composure awful quick. Guess Baker's gonna have to go back to his broken Spanish of "calma," "confidencia." That oughta work.

Pete
7:34 AM, 7/8/2009

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Hal thanks for the change-up info. As Wiz points out, he hasn't used it much in the last 3-4 starts from what I've seen. Wiz, I guess the coaches must be spending their free time watching moves w/ the players before the game instead of studying game film? Cueto and Volquez R power pitchers who need to establish their FBs 1st & then use their off speed stuff. Unfortunately, it seems both have fell in love w/ their breaking balls & abandoned the pitches that got them there?

MAC
12:54 AM, 7/8/2009

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Baker agrees that Cueto is not using his highly effective changeup as much these days as he has in the past, relying too much on a slider.

Good grief! Did they not know this, and discuss it, as much as three starts ago? I am continually amazed at the absurdities that come out of this man's mouth!

They might also want to take a real close look at Cueto's unsound delivery

Wizard
11:28 PM, 7/7/2009

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