Manuel tries to defuse the Hamels situation

NEW YORK -- Sitting in a 3-2 hole entering Game 6 of the World Series tonight, the Philadelphia Phillies should have had their focus elsewhere, but the latest saga involving onetime ace Cole Hamels continues to be a distraction.

The Phillies were in full damage control a day after Hamels and fellow pitcher -- and supposed good friend -- Brett Myers reportedly got into a clubhouse scrape after a curt exchange Monday night. Hamels, who has allowed seven home runs and has a 7.58 ERA in four starts this postseason, is getting all the wrong attention since suggesting during a long interview after his Game 3 start that he ''can't wait for it to end.''

''What happened between him and Brett Myers, first of all, they're friends, and that was more Brett being ... when you say 'Manny being Manny' or something like that, well, Brett was being Brett,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Tuesday during a workout day at Yankee Stadium. ''Brett likes to throw that jab at you, and sometimes it doesn't matter who's around, and I think people when they hear that sometimes, they don't know how to take it.

''I think that was just actually Brett playing around, messing with him.''

Hamels insists the two don't have a problem.

The bigger issue is Hamels' state of mind. He was the MVP of the National League Championship Series and World Series a year ago but has struggled ever since. He would be in line to start a potential Game 7. So Manuel met with the young left-hander late Monday night.

''We sat there probably 10, 15 minutes, and we talked about some of the things that were said, and I felt very good about it, really,'' Manuel said. ''I never, ever questioned his mental toughness because he's just as tough as anybody on our team. And I mean that. That part I've never, ever doubted.

''There's definitely no quit in him, and I know he shows emotions at times, and he's had a freakish year, and he's going through a bad time, but at the same time, he'll get through it, and he'll be the pitcher that you saw last year. That pitcher that you've been seeing for the last couple of years, that's who Hamels is. He's a gamer and a fighter.''

Hamels said he was shocked his comments after Game 3 took on such a life of their own. He says he hasn't been able to sleep because of the fallout and insists he wants to pitch again this postseason.

''Who wouldn't want the ball in Game 7?'' Hamels said. ''This is the ultimate dream to be able to pitch in the most competitive situation anybody could ever be in -- that would be to be in Game 7 of the World Series. Even though I might not have the best results leading up to it, I've always wanted it.''

Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, who was hit by a pitch on the right index finger in Game 5, says he expects to be back in the lineup for Game 6 tonight. If the swelling prevents Victorino from starting, Manuel says Ben Francisco will get the start in center.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who hasn't needed closer Mariano Rivera since Game 4 on Sunday, said the righty will be available for more than three outs tonight.