It's a breezy day at the ballpark. Between the Sixers game on TV and the rather chilly forecasted night time temperatures, it'll be interesting to see how many people  turn out. It doesn't get much better than Greg Maddux-Cole Hamels, but we'll see.

As the subject of this post informed you, Shane Victorino is not in the line-up tonight. Charlie Manuel didn't name Jayson Werth his starting center fielder forever.

"He's my starting center fielder tonight," the Phils manager said.

Victorino was obviously disappointed not to be in the line-up, but said repeatedly that he is not looking at the situations as if he has lost his job.

A mild surprise as Eric Bruntlett is batting second, while Pedro Feliz is playing third. I thought Greg Dobbs would be in the line-up, thanks to his recent hot bat and his left-handedness (is that a word???), but Manuel said righties have been hitting much better off of Maddux than lefties, which is why he kept Feliz there.

Geoff Jenkins, who owns the ninth-best career batting average against Maddux, is starting in right.

^^

Jimmy Rollins was at the park. And for those conspiracy theorists out there, I can guarantee his foot is not broken. It sounds like he should be available when he is eligible to be activated May 5.

^^

Badabadabadabadaba that's all for now.

Pressed a couple of days ago on how he would handle Shane Victorino's return to the line-up, Charlie Manuel said he would wait until the morning of the game to decide. The manager said it goes like this: he wakes up, he thinks, he goes to the ballpark, and he decides on a line-up.

He's probably still in the thinking process, so we'll try to get you inside of his head.

Here are some of the factors that must be considered when making this decision:

1) Geoff Jenkins has absolutely killed Greg Maddux over the course of his career. He's batting over .400 against the Padres righty, who starts tonight against the Phils at Citizens Bank Park. Manuel loves to play match-ups. I'd be shocked if Jenkins weren't in right tonight. However. . .

2) Manuel has already admitted he is concerned that Werth could cool off by sitting. The guy's played tremendously in place of Victorino. He's started 14 of the last 15 games, hit around .300, and had an OBP of over .400 until the past two days, when he's gone 1 for his last 9. Especially since he's had two bad days at the plate, is now the time you really want to put him on the bench? Might that have him looking over his shoulder the rest of the season?

3) Victorino's leadoff ability. If Victorino starts tonight on the bench, it likely means Werth will lead off. I wouldn't be surprised to see lefty Greg Dobbs in the line-up tonight at third, which means it would likely be Werth-Dobbs at the top of the order. But you can't replace Victorino's speed at the top of the order. Werth is fast, but not Victorino-fast.

4) Victorino's calf. Is it comepletely healthy? The outfielder's performance in his rehab stints makes me think it is. He went 2-for-4 two nights ago at Triple A Lehigh Valley.

5) Defense. Victorino's arm is better suited to right. Werth has made several nice throws over the past week, including one against the Pirates that nailed a runner at home. He also had a nice throw to Chris Coste that may or may not have gotten Jose Reyes awhile back in New York. But Victorino's speed is such a weapon in center. He covers so much ground. Manuel said a couple days ago he thinks Victorino is one of the best right fielders in the league. But he also said he still looks at him as a center fielder.

So what will it be?

Jayson Werth in center field and Victorino in right?

Victorino in center and Werth in right?

Victorino in center and Geoff Jenkins in right?

Or Werth in center, Jenkins in right, and Victorino on the bench?

I think if Werth isn't in the line-up, then Dobbs is definitely there at 3B so he can bat second. If Dobbs and Werth aren't in the line-up, I'm not sure who Manuel would bat No. 2.

^^

How about the prospective batting orders:

Option A

1. Shane Victorino

2. Jayson Werth

3. Chase Utley

4. Ryan Howard

5. Pat Burrell

6. Pedro Feliz

7. Eric Bruntlett

8. Carlos Ruiz

9. Hamels

Option B

1. Shane Victorino

2. Greg Dobbs

3. Chase Utley

4. Ryan Howard

5. Pat Burrell

6. Geoff Jenkins

7. Eric Bruntlett

8. Carlos Ruiz

9. Hamels

Option C

1. Jayson Werth

2. Greg Dobbs

3. Chase Utley

4. Ryan Howard

5. Pat Burrell

6. Geoff Jenkins

7. Eric Bruntlett

8. Carlos Ruiz

9. Hamels

Option D

1. Shane Victorino

2. Greg Dobbs

3. Chase Utley

4. Ryan Howard

5. Pat Burrell

6. Geoff Jenkins

7. Eric Bruntlett

8. Carlos Ruiz

9. Hamels

^^

Pitching match-ups for the Padres' series:

San Diego RHP Greg Maddux (2-1, 3.66 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (2-3, 2.75).

Tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.
San Diego RHP Chris Young (1-2, 3.77) vs. LHP Jamie Moyer (1-1, 4.05).

Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
San Diego LHP Randy Wolf (2-1, 3.68) vs. RHP Adam Eaton (0-0, 5.08).

Mike Lieberthal spent 13 seasons in Philadelphia. He'll get at least one more day.

The Phillies announced yesterday the veteran catcher will retire as a member of the organization on June 1. Lieberthal spent last season as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers before announcing his retirement, but was a popular player in Philadelphia from 1994-2006. The No. 3 overall pick in the 1990 draft, Lieberthal broke into the big leagues in the wake of the Phillies' run to the World Series in 1993. Over the next 13 seasons, he hit .275 with 150 home runs and helped guide the franchise into its current era of success.

“Philadelphia has always been a second home to me, so I’m really looking forward to this,” said Lieberthal in a statement released by the Phillies.  “I spent half my life there and still follow the team closely on television.”

An All-Star in 1999 and 2000, Lieberthal holds the franchise record for most games caught at 1,139. In 1999, he became just the sixth catcher in major league history to hit .300 with 30 home runs. Lieberthal also set a Phillies record in 1999 for fielding percentage by a catcher (.997), committing just three errors in 946 total chances, en route to a Gold Glove Award.

Heading out of Pittsburgh early tomorrow morning. . .

Quick preview of what's in the paper tomorrow. . .

The Phillies are concerned about Brett Myers' performance through six starts. So is the pitcher. Myers' velocity has been down significantly from where it usually is. It has been that way all season. Usually, his fastball sits somewhere in the low-to-mid 90's. This season, it has rarely climbed out of the high 80's. Myers says those last few ticks have made him rely more on his cutter, and less on his fastball.

“I haven’t seen a fastball,” Manuel said. “It topped out today at 89. Myers is usually 92-95, somewhere in there. I haven’t seen the fastball since the start of the season.”

Myers seemed frustrated. But pitching coach Rich Dubee said the problem isn't velocity. Instead, it's Myers approach on the mound, as well as his preparation. Dubee said he thinks Myers would benefit from throwing more long toss prior to starts, which he said builds strength and elasticity in the arm. Myers, Dubee said, isn't a big fan of long toss.

Dubee also said he needs to rely on his fastball, even if it isn't as fast as he'd like it.

“I think its as simple as him throwing some more fastballs and him getting out there and playing some more long toss,” Dubee said. “He’s not a real big believer in long toss, and I am. I think that’s one way you develop arm strength and keep some elasticity in your arm. I think its something he’s got to buy into a little bit more.”

Myers, however, said he has been trying to build strength in the arm.

“I’ve been working all season to get it back,” Myers said. “It doesn’t matter how much I run, how much I lift my legs, how many shoulder weights I do, I’m just not getting the zip on the end of it, the explosion. It just kind of comes out of my hand the same speed it gets to the plate. There’s no extra life to it.”

Apparently there are better things to do on a beautiful spring day in Pittsburgh than go to a baseball game. I'd say the place is about a third full here. Which is a shame, because it really is a beautiful set up here. PNC Park over looks a couple of bridges and the Monogahela River, and is a stone's throw away from the skyscrapers of downtown.

I was in a local restaurant/bar last night after the game, and the Phillies fans absolutely took over. I'd say there are as many Phils fans here as Pirates fans. I don't know why. The drive from Philly to Pittsburgh is miserable. But it's a relatively cheap city. And I guess the flights are cheap if you don't want to make the drive. And the park is beautiful.

Anyway, this is what I love about Philly sports fans: In the middle of this bar, a random E-A-G-L-E-S chant occurs, after which a guy stands up on a barstool and yells, "TRADE DOWN FOR NEXT YEAR!! WHOOOOOOOO!!"

I can't think of many other cities where, on a night the Flyers play a Stanley Cup game and the Phillies are in town, the loudest cheer is for a TRADE DOWN in the NFL Draft.

Anyway, on to the good stuff. . .

^

Myself and some other reporters spoke with general manager Pat Gillick in the visitor's dugout prior to the game.

The Phillies are still hoping to add another left-handed reliever to the bull-pen, despite the acquisition of veteran Steve Kline a few weeks ago. General manager Pat Gillick said earlier today that Kline, currently pitcing at Triple A Lehigh Valley is "possibly" the answer.

"I wouldn't say probably," Gillick said. "Possibly."

Kline has pitched in six games at Lehigh Vlaley, allowing 7 hits and three earned runs in 7 innings. He allowed no runs and one hit in his first 3 2/3 innings, but has allowed three runs and six hits in his last 3 1/3.

Last night against Rochester he pitched three innings of relief, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and walking 2.

Kline turns 38 in August. He was released by the Giants after spring training. last season, hea ppeared in 68 games, allowing 58 hits and 24 earned runs in 46 innings while striking out 17 and walking 18.

The Phillies signed him to a minor league contract April 10, but they have no plans to promote him in the near future.

^

Jimmy Rollins should be back in Philly tomorrow. He's been rehabbing in Clearwater while the Phillies are on the road. He and head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan will then get together and compare notes. The reports on Rollins have been good, but as Sheridan told a few of us today before the game, "Seeing is believing."

^

Shane Victorino is making his last rehab appearance today in Lehigh Valley. Gillick said that as long as the center fielder doesn't experience a set back today, he doesn't see a reason why he wouldn't be activated on Tuesday. That would likely mean the end of T.J. Bohn's stay in Philly.

Charlie Manuel did say before the game there is a chance Victorino plays some in right field, thanks to the hot streak that Jayson Werth is currently on.

So, they gave out Tom Gorzelanny bobbleheads last night at the game here in Pittsburgh. Which is good, beacuse, as my fellow beat writer Scott Lauber pointed out, we now know what Tom Gorzelanny looks like.

But I'm going to post a picture of the figurine below, and I want you to tell me if you can figure out the hidden, um, message the thing is sending out.

It isn't as pronounced in the picture as it is in real life. But I think it is pretty noticeable.

It didn't take long for Ryan Howard to justify Charlie Manuel's decision to re-insert him into the line-up tonight. Howard hit a two-run home run to center field in his first game back from a two-game stint on the bench. Howard had struck out in three pinch-hit appearances over the past two days. But he has his first home run in eight games.

Will this be the blast that gets him going?

We'll see. . .

Shane Victorino will continue his rehab progression this weekend playing for the IronPigs in Lehigh Valley. It looks like Victorino should be ready to re-join the team when he is eligible to come off the disabled list. He is actually eligible on Monday, but the Phillies are off, so his first return to the line-up would be Tuesday against the Padres.

That said, it'll be interesting to see how Charlie Manuel handles Victorino's return. His replacement in center field, Jayson Werth, has been incredibly hot as of late. He's hitting over .300 and has hit four home runs in his last five games, including one last night.

Victorino's speed is so valuable in center field, it'd be tough to keep him out of that position. Werth will likely slide back to right, where he shares time with Geoff Jenkins. Might Werth, who was used early in the season primarily against left-handers, have earned himself some more playing time in right?

We'll see.

^

Manuel has taken some heat over the years from Phillies fans, but every move he's been making has worked out lately. Last night, he threw an unconventional line-up out on the field that nevertheless worked - Brad Harman, Chris Coste and Jayson Werth drove in all six of the team's runs, while Chase Utley played a good game in the field at first base.

Manuel also gave pitcher Adam Eaton the quick hook, but it worked as Chad Durbin allowed 2 runs over 2 1/3 innings, then gave way to Tom Gordon, J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge, who pitched scoreless seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

I'm sure a lot of you watching at home were pretty surprised when you saw Charlie Manuel walk out of the dugout and remove Adam Eaton from the game with two outs in the fourth inning. Eaton had allowed three runs and was getting hit hard but had only opposing pitcher Zach Duke standing in the way of the inning.

Well, you have to say it worked. Eaton might have gotten out of the inning, but Chad Durbin definitely did, and though the righty allowed two runs in the fifth, he pitched a perfect sixth and the Phillies rolled on to their fifth win in six games.

Here's what Manuel had to say:

"In the fourth inning, they were hitting the ball hard and he was starting to struggle,” Manuel said. “I thought they were catching up with him, and if you want to know the truth, I didn’t think he was going to hold them.”

And Eaton. . .

“I wasn’t happy, obviously,” Eaton said. “You get staked to a big lead like that you’d like to go out there as long as you can, but all things being said, we came out with a win today.”

Chris Coste went 3-for-5 with 3 RBI despite admitting that he felt light-headed at times thanks to a recent bout with flu like symptoms.

Phils are 13-11, best win percentage of the season.

Good night, and good luck.