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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Rockies accuse Phillies of using binoculars to steal signs

Associated Press

Binoculars in the bullpen? Major League Baseball didn’t like what it saw, and has told the Philadelphia Phillies to knock it off.

The Phillies insisted Wednesday they weren’t trying to steal signs when bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was caught on camera peering through binoculars from the bullpen bench at Coors Field earlier this week.

Manager Charlie Manuel told the Associated Press that Billmeyer simply was watching Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz set up his defense Monday.

FSN Rocky Mountain, the flagship broadcaster of the Colorado Rockies, showed Billmeyer using the binoculars to peer in on Colorado catcher Miguel Olivo while the Phillies were at bat in the top of the second inning.

It also showed a quick image of Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino in the dugout on the bullpen phone in the top of the second.

“We were not trying to steal signs,” Manuel said. “Would we try to steal somebody’s signs? Yeah, if we can. But we don’t do that. We’re not going to let a guy stand up there in the bullpen with binoculars looking in.”

Olivo said Billmeyer’s actions could tarnish the two-time defending N.L. champions’ image.

“If you’re a good team and you win, I think you don’t need to do that because they got good hitters, they got good players,” Olivo said. “If it helps them, if they don’t get caught, then whatever. If they get caught, then they’re going to pay for it.”

FoxSports.com first reported the reprimand from the league, which reviewed video of the matter Tuesday.

While sign-stealing is something all teams try to do, using electronic equipment, enhanced devices and technology is not allowed in baseball.

It’s not the first time accusations of cheating have been lobbed at the Phillies. The New York Mets accused the Phillies of stealing signs through a center-field camera in 2007, and the Boston Red Sox leveled charges against them in 2008.

Wakefield reaches milestone strikeout

Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield recorded his 2,000th career strikeout in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Boston. Wakefield, 43, fanned Vernon Wells swinging to end the inning and reach the milestone.

Wakefield joins Jamie Moyer, Javier Vazquez and Andy Pettitte as the only active players who have reached 2,000 strikeouts.

Marquis’ season one to forget so far

Jason Marquis’ first season with the Washing- ton Nationals is becoming an injury-filled bust.

The right-hander is scheduled for surgery Friday to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow. He’s expected to be sidelined until August.

Marquis made a rehab start for Class A Potomac on Tuesday and said his ailing right elbow stiffened “pretty bad” when he woke up Wednesday.

Marquis joined the Nationals as a free agent in the offseason. He went 0-3 with a 20.52 ERA in three starts for Washington before going on the 15-day DL with inflammation in his elbow.