CINCINNATI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going 4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker said. “I’m pretty excited. I started the season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was important.”

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right field, left field and first base.

“The scouts say he’s a good hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’ll give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’ll definitely help us.”

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also transferred right-hander Jose Contreras to the 60-day disabled list to create an opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going 4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker said. “I’m pretty excited. I started the season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was important.”

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right field, left field and first base.

“The scouts say he’s a good hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’ll give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’ll definitely help us.”

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also transferred right-hander Jose Contreras to the 60-day disabled list to create an opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

CINCINNATI (AP)—The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker(notes)
from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash,
adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going
4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker
batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third
game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker said. “I’m pretty excited. I started the
season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in
Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was
important.”

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and
their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right
field, left field and first base.

“The scouts say he’s a good hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’ll
give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’ll
definitely help us.”

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer(notes) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also
transferred right-hander Jose Contreras(notes) to the 60-day disabled list to create an
opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

CINCINNATI — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going 4 for 17 with a double before he was designated for assignment on May 4. Bowker batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

He drove over from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies before the third game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker said. “I’m pretty excited. I started the season with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was in Indy, I tried to keep a good attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That was important.”

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played right field, left field and first base.

“The scouts say he’s a good hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’ll give you a good at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’ll definitely help us.”

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies also transferred right-hander Jose Contreras to the 60-day disabled list to create an opening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right fielder John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates today for a player to be named or cash, adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.

The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates early this season, going 4-for-17 with a double before he was designated for assignment. Bowker batted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.

The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to improve their outfield depth and their bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster.

Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a 9-0 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night.

MILWAUKEE – With a 10.5 game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, and a magic number of 18, the Milwaukee Brewers (81-54) are comfortably in the drivers seat to win the NL Central.

With the Cardinals becoming more and more distant in the rear view mirror, it’s time to focus attention on what (or who) is ahead of the Brewers.

The Philadelphia Phillies own the best record in the National League at 83-46.

Due to some weather issues, the Phillies have played six fewer games than the Brewers to this point and will be hard pressed to find a day off the remainder of the season.

The Brewers will host Philadelphia September 8-11 for a four-game series that could go a long way in determining who winds up with the best record in the league, and homefield advantage in the playoffs.

There is no doubt the Brewers would beneft from having the majority of games played at Miller Park.

They own the best home record in baseball at a staggering 50-16, and there is a realistic shot they could overtake the Phillies.

In addiiton, the Brewers will likely benefit from the return of OF Carlos Gomez and 2nd baseman, Rickie Weeks.

Accoring to the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinal’s Tom Haudricourt, both are expected to be back in September, with Weeks a couple of weeks behind Gomez.

You can hear the entire podcast from Haudricourt’s interview on Wisconsin’s Morning News here.

The Philadelphia Phillies activated pitcher
Cole Hamels from the 15-day disabled list on Monday.

Hamels landed on the DL last Tuesday with left shoulder inflammation, although
the move was retroactive to August 13 — the day after his last start.

A 2011 NL All-Star selection, Hamels has a record of 13-7 with a 2.62 ERA in
25 starts with the Phillies this season.

He is scheduled to start the team’s series opener in Cincinnati on Monday.

Infielder/outfielder Pete Orr, who was called up when Hamels went on the DL,
was optioned back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He made three pinch-hit
appearances during Philadelphia’s recent homestand.

In 32 games with the Phillies this season, Orr has hit .227 with three RBI.

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