--2B Chase Utley has been hobbled by a bruised right foot that sidelined him for two games. But with the Phillies making their first appearance at brand new Citi Field, and with Mets ace Johan Santana on the mound, there wasn't any way Utley was going to miss it.
Just in case, though, manager Charlie Manuel scratched out two lineups Wednesday. And it wasn't until after Utley fielded grounders, took batting practice, lightly jogged in the outfield and had his egg-sized bruise checked by athletic trainer Scott Sheridan that Manuel decided to stick with the lineup that included his All-Star second baseman. "He can swing all right. It's a matter of him moving and running," Manuel said. "He said it felt a lot better (Wednesday). He wants to play."
Utley finished 0-for-3.
--3B Pedro Feliz is known for his stellar defense, but his throwing error in the seventh inning Wednesday night determined the outcome in a 1-0 Mets victory over the Phillies. With two outs in the seventh inning, Fernando Tatis broke his bat and tapped a roller down the third base line. Feliz charged, barehanded the ball, and rather than holding it, made an off-balance throw wide of first base. The ball sailed into the outfield, and as Carlos Delgado chugged home from first, RF Jayson Werth double-clutched, a momentary hesitation that may have allowed Delgado to slide home safely.
"I think I just didn't pick up home plate," Werth said, "and by the time I did and threw the ball home, I got called for traveling."
Feliz declined to comment as he left the clubhouse. It was a rare miscue for the Phillies, who entered the game with a majors-leading .994 team fielding percentage.
--CF Shane Victorino extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games Wednesday night with a bloop double into shallow right field in the eighth inning. Victorino went 1-for-4 against the Mets and is 24-for-67 (.358) with five doubles, two triples, three homers and 15 RBIs during the streak. He has scored a run in 10 of the last 11 games, and during the streak, he has raised his average from .220 to .306.
MEDICAL WATCH:
2B Chase Utley (sore right foot) did not start May 2, but he appeared as a pinch hitter. After a rainout May 3, he was back in the lineup May 4, but he sat out May 5. He started May 6.
LHP Cole Hamels (sprained left ankle) left his April 28 start. He threw a bullpen session May 5, and he is expected to start May 8.
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:
Carlos Ruiz
Chris Coste
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
