--RHP Brad Lidge hasn't pitched more than one inning in a game since Sept. 19, 2007. But, with the season winding down and victories becoming increasingly important, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he may begin asking Lidge to record four- or five-out saves. "I'm feeling real good right now," Lidge said. "My body has been pretty well trained at this point for the push in September. Always in the past I've thrown a ton in September because I've been on teams that are competitive in September. I know what I need to get ready."
Lidge has a 2.18 ERA and 33 saves in as many chances for the Phillies this season. --RF Jayson Werth has been among the hottest hitters in the National League, batting .400 (14-for-35) with four homers and nine RBIs in his last 10 games. He even has moved into the No. 3 spot in the Phillies' lineup against left-handed pitchers. Werth leads the majors with 15 homers against left-handers.
"It doesn't surprise me because he has talent," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's a tools player. He's a big guy that has tools. What can't he do? He's going to get better, really."
--RHP Joe Blanton joined the Phillies with a reputation as an innings-eating starting pitcher. But he has averaged only 5 1/3 innings per start since arriving in a July 18 trade, and he has failed to make it through six innings in four of his last five starts. His 47 2/3 innings since the trade don't rank among the top 50 NL pitchers during that span.
In his latest disappointing outing, Blanton lasted only four innings Wednesday night against the lowly Nationals. "It was one of those nights where I was kind of scuffling the whole night," said Blanton, 1-0 with a 4.34 ERA in nine starts with the Phillies. "I couldn't really find it."
--1B Ryan Howard is showing signs of heating up as the season winds down. Howard belted two home runs Wednesday against the Nationals, increasing his majors-leading total to 39. Howard also leads the NL with 119 RBIs. Howard has a 10-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .341 (14-for-41) with five homers and 11 RBIs.
--RHP Brett Myers is back on track. Myers, who spent three weeks in the minors in July to regain his confidence and his fastball, is 5-1 with a 1.78 ERA since returning after the All-Star break. But no start is quite as important as Friday's, when Myers will open a three-game series against the Mets at Shea Stadium. "We better win Friday night," manager Charlie Manuel said.
BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Players in the last 15 seasons to go 4-for-4 after entering a game as a pinch hitter. Chris Coste achieved the feat Aug. 26 in a 13-inning win, joining the Angels' Shawn Wooten in 2002.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The biggest thing, being Canadian, would've been partying down Yonge Street (in Toronto). But I'll find a new street in Philadelphia and party down there. Maybe I'll look for (Rocky) Balboa and hang out there." -- OF Matt Stairs, on attempting to make the playoffs with the Phillies after being traded Saturday.
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