Utility man Martinez may prove vital for Phillies

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Unworried by the prospect of a five-hour flight resulting in a needlessly aggravated back, the Phillies are allowing Placido Polanco and his bugling disc to travel to Phoenix to enjoy the spoils of being an all star. And, undeterred by the risk of putting the National League East leaders down two third basemen, backup Michael Martinez took off for a third-inning foul pop on Sunday like there might still be some votes left somewhere for him, too.

Seeing as Martinez came into the Phillies' series finale against the Braves hitting .192, it seemed safe to say that the Citizens Bank Park crowd had yet to fall head-over-heals for him. But that was only until he fearlessly went head-over-heals into the photographers well and -- holy Derek Jeter! -- came up showing the baseball.

That wasnt the extent of the 28-year-old rookies fun, either. After going 4 for 5 and scoring twice in a 14-1 smashing of the Braves, Martinez finished the afternoon only 2,984 hits short of Jeter on the all-time list.

It would have been nice if he had been around after the game to handicap his chances of catching up. Or, to show us the welts on his thighs from a full speed crash into the railing. But the biggest day of Martinezs career was also the last day before a four-day break, so the 28-year-old rookie had already left the locker room by the time the media requested him.

No truth to the rumor he was in South Philly knocking on doors, a la Shane Victorino, to get the absolutely, positively, final NL roster spot until somebody else begs out. Its too late for politicking, but not too early to start worrying about Polanco, whose production has plummeted since aggravating his back on Torontos unforgiving fake turf two weekends ago.

Before missing his fifth straight game Sunday afternoon, Polanco said he felt better. But that was before a long plane ride.

I think he needs to go and be part of the experience, said assistant GM Scott Proefrock. Were not going to stand in his way. Hell get some treatment while he is out there as well.

He flew three hours back form Miami the other day. Its not that much further.

Actually, it's two hours further, plus treatment is available here -- not that if Polanco isnt in the lineup Friday night in New York as hoped anyone will admit that soaking in his second All-Star Game selection with his honored buddies was not a good idea.

If rest and treatment doesnt work, Plan B is an injection. If that fails, the good news is that part of Plan C, Martinez, looked awfully good Sunday. And the bad news is that may have to continue.

What Wilson Valdez and Martinez give us is two tremendous utility players who can play different positions, said Charlie Manuel. And when they hit its a huge plus for us.

That was a big game for Mike. Domonic Brown (three-for-five with two RBI) and John Mayberry (three doubles and four RBI in five at bats) and Martinez had big days and days like that can help guys like that with their confidence.

It might even help Ruben Amaros confidence that he doesnt have to sell the farm for an experienced hitter before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, but too much is at stake to leave so much to chance. Its not the just the young guys that the GM has to trust, but an old guy like Raul Ibanez, whose six RBI Sunday extended him to 13 in his last five games, during which he has hit .390.

The corner outfield spots have been worrisome enough that Phillies cant afford one at third base, too. Polanco is 35, not a prime age for fast recovery from a problem as troublesome as a bulging disk.

Valdez did OK in Chase Utleys absence and Martinez could probably do so in Polancos. But to trying to win a World Series without power in leftfield, rightfield and third base is hardly the traditional parade rout.

The Phillies are awfully good. Then again, so were the Braves so many years when Greg Maddox, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz would get matched over the course of seven games, like Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt were by the Giants last fall, and a team with an embarrassment of starting pitching ended up with egg on its face nevertheless.

Of course at the break Brown, Martinez and Mayberry are just trying to establish themselves as major leaguers while the Phillies continue to win games.

Mayberry creates staying power in the fact that he can play all three outfield positions, Manuel said. Hes an above average defensive outfielder, has a good arm, he can run, he can steal a base.

When he starts hitting right-handed pitchers and gets consistent, there theres a good chance hes going to play more.

Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo have picked up the bullpen immensely in the absence of Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge. Now the Phillies may need a position player or two coming, if not out of nowhere, then at least as far as Martinez went Sunday to fearlessly grab Freddie Freemans foul pop.

E-mail Jay Greenberg at jayg616@aol.com
Related: Bats come alive, Phils rout Braves in first-half finalePhillies notes: All-Stars, injury update, second half

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