Phillies Notes: Werth sinks Braves without pink

Jayson Werth knew pink was the color of the day.

The Phillies' white-hot rightfielder just couldn't bring himself to make that his hue at home plate Sunday during the Phillies' 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.

So while most of his teammates opted for the pink bats that were part of the Mother's Day tribute to the fight against breast cancer, Werth stuck with the black wood that has him leading the National League in doubles and extra-base hits.

"I tried those pink bats in the past and they didn't work so well," Werth said.

He added that his mother would not be offended.

The Phillies were happy with the results as Werth connected for his fourth home run of the homestand, giving his team a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. It was also the 100th home run of Werth's career.

"It's a benchmark," he said. "I look back to the summer of 2006 and I was a long way from 100 home runs."

Werth batted .417 (15 for 36) with four home runs, five doubles, and 11 RBIs during the Phillies' 7-3 homestand. He also contributed an outfield assist to Sunday's win, gunning down Omar Infante at home plate in the top of the first inning.

"He's determined to have a big year," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "It's his free-agent year. That's no secret. He wants to show that he can top last year's performance."

Werth has become a fan favorite in Philadelphia. One sign Sunday read, "Sorry mom, I decided to spend my Mother's Day with Jayson Werth." It remains to be seen if all that love and affection helps keep the rightfielder in a Phillies uniform beyond this season.

"I don't know," he said. "We'll see. I definitely feel at home here in Philadelphia and I love playing for the Phillies. I love coming to work with these guys every day. It would be tough to beat.

"But with that said, it is a business and I've said it before: I've played my whole career for this [free-agent] season right here. I plan to see it through."

Backup catcher Brian Schneider was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained Achilles tendon. The Phillies replaced him on the roster by bringing up Paul Hoover from triple-A Lehigh Valley, where the veteran catcher was hitting .269 with one home run and eight RBIs.

"It's . . . a mild little strain," Schneider said. "It kind of stinks and I'm disappointed because I'm not going to need the full 15 days, but I'm at a position where you can't go with one guy for five or six days."

Schneider was hurt Saturday when he rounded third base and scored on a single by Shane Victorino.

"I think I'll be more than ready when it's time to come off," Schneider said.

Hoover, 34, is back in the big leagues for the eighth time in a professional career that has spanned 14 seasons. He joined the Phillies late last season and had a game-winning hit in their regular-season finale against Florida.

"Hopefully, if and when I get a chance, I can help this team win some games," Hoover said.

The Phillies celebrated Mother's Day by honoring Chad Durbin's mother, Deb Pearson, and Jose Contreras' mother, Modesta Camejo, before the game. Durbin won an annual team drawing. Contreras' mother was honored because she just arrived two weeks ago from Cuba.

Camejo, through translation by her daughter-in-law Isabel, said she loves how Philadelphia has embraced her son.

"Since he was a kid, he was always well-behaved and sweet," she said. "He was always simple and very down-to-earth, and I'm happy that he never changed. You worry that when he goes to the major leagues he will change, but everybody in Cuba loves him."

Camejo, 75, hand-wrapped Cuban cigars for many years in her native country and still has six children in Cuba. She said she is free to travel between the United States and Cuba, and she will still be able to visit her other children.

The Phillies' pitching staff hasn't allowed a home run in 56 innings. . . . Shortstop Jimmy Rollins started his rehab Sunday with the Phillies' extended spring training program in Clearwater, Fla. Backup shortstop Juan Castro missed his fourth straight game with a strained left hamstring. . . . The Phillies' 8:40 p.m. game Monday against the Colorado Rockies will be televised on The Comcast Network (TCN) instead of Comcast SportsNet. CSN will televise the Flyers' Game 5 playoff game against the Boston Bruins.