Via Phillies official press release:

Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies has been named the ‘Sharp Presents the National League Player of the Month’ for April.

The left-handed hitting second baseman hit .360 (40-111) with 10 doubles, a triple, 11 home runs, 23 RBIs and 25 runs scored in April. His 11 home runs, 85 total bases and .766 slugging percentage all paced the National League. The two-time All-Star posted 15 multi-hit games, two multi-home run contests and six multi-RBI performances. Utley homered in five consecutive games from April 17th-21st, tying a Phillies record shared by Bobby Abreu (2005), Mike Schmidt (1979) and Dick Allen (1969). The UCLA product, drafted in the first round (15th overall) by the Phillies in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, capped the month with his Major-League leading 11th home run of the year on April 30th vs. San Diego.

Other players receiving votes were Chipper Jones (.417, eight homers, 21 RBIs) of the Braves, Nate McLouth (.339, seven homers, 25 RBIs) of the Pirates, Rafael Furcal (.380, …

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When Ryan Howard stroked a game winning home run against the Padres on Thursday night, fans had hoped he turned a corner. Well if he’s turned the corner he’s failed to let anyone else know. Since that home run he’s gone 0 for 9 with 6 strikeouts. These strikeouts are ugly ones too. He’s chasing balling in the dirt and others that are clearly out of the strike zone.

To make matters worse for former Rookie of the Year and MVP, his struggles have soured the fans, who now reign boos on Howard as he trots back to the dugout. This is something Howard has never experienced in his time in the big leagues, but it’s not helping the situation. I’m sure Pat Burrell can relay to Howard how unforgiving Philadelphia fans can be.

It’s not just the fans who are noticing it, as opposing teams are beginning to take advantage of Howard’s struggles. During Friday night’s game Chase Utley came to the plate with two outs and the go-ahead run on third …