Phillies want results quickly from Brown

LOS ANGELES -- Chase Utley might not be the Phillies' No. 1 second baseman anymore, but Domonic Brown continues to play nearly every day in right field.

The Phillies want to see more of Brown, but their desire is limited.

"He's going to be getting some chances," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. "But his leash isn't as long as it used to be. That's been communicated to him."

Brown went 2-for-4 against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in Wednesday's 5-0 loss. He is hitting .205 (15-for-73) with three doubles, six RBIs and a .535 OPS in 23 games. He has hit .239 (164-for-687) with 31 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 85 RBIs and a .642 OPS in 210 games since the 2013 All-Star Game, when he made the National League All-Star team.

"It was good to see Brown get a couple hits off a tough pitcher," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "Maybe that'll get him jump-started."

"It's time to get it going," Brown said before the game. "I'm feeling good in the box, I'm taking some good swings, but it's time to put some numbers up."

Brown, 27, is likely getting his last shot with the Phillies. If he cannot hit like he did before the 2013 All-Star Game he figures to be playing elsewhere next season.

"I agree with him 1,000 percent," Brown said about Amaro's comments that his opportunity is limited. "If I don't make the most of my opportunity, then he has to do his job and get me out of here I guess. But I don't want that. I want to be in Philly. But that's part of the game as well and I understand that. But I'm not going to go out there and put extra pressure on myself because of that.

"If I continue to play I think it's just a matter of time before stuff starts clicking. I didn't hit 30 home runs and be an All-Star for nothing. I just have to go out there and play baseball. This is different than Triple-A. As you guys know, this is not Triple-A. You have to get in there and get at-bats. Charlie [Manuel] always talked about it, he'd just run me out there every day. That's really the biggest thing. Now I have to take it on myself."

Brown has come across sometimes as indifferent about his play and status on the team, but he said he is motivated to play at a high level again.

"I'm hungry, I'm hungry right now, man," Brown said. "I'm out here busting my butt every single day. I'm really hungry. I don't think I've ever been this hungry, ever." Brown needs to turn that hunger into results.

"When you're a younger player or an unestablished player trying to make your mark in the game, you're auditioning every day," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "The more chances you get, at one point your run out of chances."