The shift was subtle until it became glaringly obvious. Once expected to slug their way to the playoffs, the Phillies quietly transformed last summer into a pitching- and defense-oriented team. Then, in October, they won the World Series with shutdown pitching, getting solid postseason outings from each member of the rotation. And with four starters returning, pitching figured to be a major strength in 2009. But through April 19, the Phillies had allowed 26 home runs in 11 games. The starters had yielded 18. "It's definitely location," manager Charlie Manuel said. "If you're going to throw high changeups, well, there's a good chance that you're going to give up a lot of home runs. The changeup can be a tremendous pitch, and a lot of our pitchers throw it. But it's also a ball you have to throw down in the strike zone. You just cannot throw belt-high changeups and expect to get away with it."
PLAYER NEWS: --CF Shane Victorino may go his whole career without picking up a more clutch hit than his grand slam against CC Sabathia in Game 2 of the NL Division Series last October. But, considering the Phillies' recent offensive doldrums, his shot into the right-field seats on a 2-0 fastball from Lindstrom was big enough. The Phillies had scored two runs in the previous 28 innings before a seven-run game-winning rally in the ninth Friday night against the Florida Marlins. And Victorino's first career regular-season grand slam was the pivotal shot. For nearly 45 minutes after the game, Victorino was unavailable for comment, but manager Charlie Manuel said he has had faith in his center fielder. Despite a .246 average, Manuel has stuck with Victorino in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. "I didn't know he was going to come around like that. He hit the heck out of that ball."
--C Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Class AAA Lehigh Valley, and manager Charlie Manuel said he may be activated for Wednesday night's game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Ruiz, who went on the disabled list April 11, is slated to be a designated hitter tonight and Monday and will catch Sunday and Tuesday. When Ruiz returns, the Phillies intend to send C Lou Marson back to Lehigh Valley.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Cole Hamels (bruised left shoulder) left the April 23 game, but he doesn't expect to miss a start.
C Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He will begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Lehigh Valley on April 25, and he could return to the Phillies after a few games in the minors.
ROTATION:
LHP Cole Hamels
RHP Brett Myers
LHP Jamie Moyer
RHP Joe Blanton
RHP Chan Ho Park
BULLPEN:
RHP Brad Lidge (closer)
RHP Ryan Madson
RHP Chad Durbin
LHP Scott Eyre
RHP Clay Condrey
LHP J.A. Happ
LHP Jack Taschner
CATCHERS:
Chris Coste
Lou Marson
INFIELDERS:
1B Ryan Howard
2B Chase Utley
SS Jimmy Rollins
3B Pedro Feliz
INF Eric Bruntlett
INF Miguel Cairo
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Raul Ibanez
CF Shane Victorino
RF Jayson Werth
OF/INF Greg Dobbs
OF Matt Stairs
