He would want Chase Utley.

"I like Utley from the Philadelphia Phillies," Bush said in a transcript at politico.com. "He's a middle infielder, which is always - you know, they say strength up the middle. There's nothing better than having a good person up the middle that can hit."

Utley, who is not expected to be campaigning for any candidate any time soon, took the news in stride.

"It's obviously a great compliment to have," Utley said. "It's kind of cool."

Bush, the former managing general partner of the Texas Rangers, also said the first pitcher he would want is Toronto Blue Jays righthander Roy Halladay.

"He's a steady guy," Bush said. "He burns up innings."

So which pitcher would Utley take?

"I'd go with a younger guy, somebody who is going to be around a little while," Utley said. "Roy Halladay obviously is exceptional and has great years ahead of him, but I'd take a guy who's been pitching two or three years and is going to be pitching another 10 years, somebody like Cole Hamels."

And a position player? Utley again said he would go young, but he would not say whom he would take. Maybe he just liked the president's answer best.

Mr. Versatility

Bruntlett is known more as an infielder, but he has played the outfield in 55 games in his six-year career.

"If they need me out there, I'll be ready," Bruntlett said. "I'm not going to be a Gold Glove-caliber player out there, but I'll do a decent job."

Bruntlett and So Taguchi took fly balls a couple of hours before batting practice last night at Citizens Bank Park. Charlie Manuel said Bruntlett afforded him another option when it came to late-inning moves.

"He can go get the ball," the manager said.

Werth stays in center

"Shane might be back in center tomorrow," Manuel said. "I don't know."

Manuel typically has used Werth against lefthanded pitchers and Geoff Jenkins against righthanded ones, but Manuel said Werth could see more action against righthanders.

"When Werth is knocking in some runs and playing good, I want to keep him in the lineup, too," Manuel said.

The streak is over

Lidge entered last night with a 2.02 ERA in his last 36 appearances, having yielded eight earned runs in 352/3 innings. He also had converted 13 consecutive save opportunities.

New tune

Is it because he likes the song or the commercial?

"Both," Rollins joked.

Extra bases

- Todd Zolecki