Phillies' catching job becoming a 50-50 split

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NEW YORK – The Phillies’ catching job is becoming an even split.

Cameron Rupp got his 10th start this month — and third in a row — behind the plate on Tuesday night.

Carlos Ruiz has started 11 games this month.

Rupp earned – and manager Ryne Sandberg used that word — his way into the starting lineup Tuesday night with a pair of hits in Monday night’s 11-8 win over the New York Yankees.

In nine games this month, Rupp, 26, is hitting .355 (11 for 31) with a .816 OPS.

Ruiz, 36, is hitting .139 (5 singles in 36 at-bats) this month. For the season, he is hitting .227 with no homers and 11 RBIs. His .560 OPS ranks 22nd among 24 qualifying catchers in the majors.

Ruiz was on his way to the batting cage when he stopped to speak with reporters before Tuesday’s game.

“I’m fine,” he said. “I’m good. I’m ready to go. Keep working. No excuses.”

He said he had not spoken with manager Ryne Sandberg about his role, but he seemed to understand what was going on.

“Rupp is swinging the bat well and we’re winning some games,” Ruiz said. “That’s the goal, to win. I don’t know what the thinking is. I’ll play when I get the chance and we’ll see what happens. But Rupp has done a good job and helped us win.”

Ruiz was asked if he still considered himself the team’s No. 1 catcher.

“Yeah,” he said. “When I get the chance I have to make improvements and put up the numbers to help the team win.”

With a day game Wednesday and Cole Hamels scheduled to pitch, Ruiz will likely return to the starting lineup for the series finale against the Yankees.

But, like Chase Utley, another veteran who is struggling to produce and losing playing time to Cesar Hernandez, Ruiz could see him playing time continue to be pinched. Sandberg likes to say his lineups are based on performance and Ruiz and Utley have recently been out-performed.

Utley, who was not in the starting lineup Tuesday, is hitting just .179. He is making $15 million this season and is just 251 plate appearances from having his 2016 option vest at another $16 million.

Ruiz’ deal is already guaranteed for next season at $8.5 million. That’s a lot of money for a part-time player. And lately, Ruiz has been just that.

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