The Zo Zone

We've heard a lot about how the Phillies have struggled against lefthanded starting pitching this season.

But here's the thing:

They're 7-4 in their last 11 games against lefthanded starters, which included last night's 12-4 victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Is it a coincidence that improvement comes with Ryan Howard's healthy return from the disabled list?

For my sanity, I hope I have heard the last question this season about Howard's struggles against lefthanded pitchers. He is hitting .289 with 10 homers and 24 RBIs against lefthanders since he returned from the disabled list May 25. He also leads the majors in RBIs against lefthanders with 32. (Chase Utley ranks second in baseball with 31 RBIs against lefthanders).

I always thought it strange that the media asked Howard about his struggles against lefthanders, despite the fact he hit .279 against them last season. It's not like the guy suddenly forgot how to hit against them. He was struggling against everybody before he went on the DL, so he naturally was going to be struggling against lefthanders.

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Howard is hitting .311 with 21 homers and 56 RBIs in 50 games since he returned from the DL.

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Read more about Kyle Drabek's season-ending Tommy John surgery here.

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I read in Buster Olney's blog that Justin Morneau had 170 RBIs in his last 196 games. That's impressive, but Ryan Howard has 194 RBIs in his last 196 games.

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The City of Clearwater needed almost four hours to demolish Jack Russell Memorial Stadium yesterday. The field, dugouts, the Phillies' old clubhouse, offices, half field and batting cages remained intact. Smaller stands will be installed.

The Rolling Stones played their first American concert at Jack Russell on May 6, 1965, but the Stones played only four songs because fans got rowdy and threw rolls of toilet paper at the band. Police stopped the concert. (Damn kids!) Supposedly, Clearwater is where Keith Richards came up with the guitar riff for (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.

Richards celebrated with a grouper sandwich.

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Jim Salisbury's Sunday baseball column tackles Lou Piniella's June 2 tantrum at Wrigley Field that helped catapult the Cubs into contention in the National League Central. And don't forget to check out Extra Bases, Stats N Stuff and On Deck.

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Marlins lefthander Scott Olsen has said he hates the Phillies. But did you also know he hates the police?

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Balls, Sticks & Stuff provides a link to the Bruce Murray Collection. Murray was a photographer in Philly, who took some pretty cool sports photos. My favorite? Ty Cobb, Connie Mack and Thomas Edison.