Phillies Notes: Sweeney enjoys the playoff ride

CINCINNATI - Once the Reds retreated into their clubhouse following an afternoon workout at Great American Ball Park, the first two people to emerge from the visitors' side were Sweeneys.

Mike tossed a few ground balls to his young son, Mike Jr., in foul territory before the rest of the Phillies took the field for their off-day workout.

Soon the player's father (also named Mike) joined to watch. The first postseason ride for Mike Sweeney has been an enjoyable one already - and it's just two games old.

"If I had experienced it 15 years ago, I wouldn't have been able to bring my dad," Sweeney, 37, said. "I wouldn't have had my son here. All and all, it's been worth the wait."

After 1,454 games and 5,848 plate appearances in the regular season, Sweeney stepped to the plate in the seventh inning of Friday's Game 2 for his first-ever playoff at-bat. He faced Aroldis Chapman, the 22-year-old flamethrower from Cuba also making his postseason debut. But the rookie had to spend just one month in the majors before tasting October baseball.

Sweeney took two fastballs - clocked at 100 m.p.h. and 95 m.p.h. He swung at the third one, a 98 m.p.h. heater, and singled to left.

"I was excited but I was calm," Sweeney said. "I was facing a guy who is throwing harder than anyone who has walked the planet. I was just trying to stay in the moment."

The moment was special. The Phillies made sure the ball was taken out of play. Later, bat boy Rob DiClementi handed it off to Sweeney.

In the dugout, there was nothing but elation from his teammates. Typically, Sweeney is the one doing the most cheering. He's almost always the first person to high-five a player returning to the dugout.

Jayson Werth said he provided Sweeney with a scouting report of Chapman. The summary: He throws hard, but you can see it. And you can hit it.

"I couldn't be happier for the guy," Brad Lidge said. "He was waiting for that moment for a long time and he nailed it."

After Sweeney's single, Chapman - 15 years his younger - was removed from the game.

"That," Werth said, "was one of those meant-to-be moments."

Carlos Ruiz stayed in the game Friday after being plunked on the left kneecap with a ball in the sixth inning and is feeling no ill effects. Ruiz took batting practice Saturday and reported no problems.

An X-ray taken after the game Friday was negative, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

"He's not as sore as we thought he was," manager Charlie Manuel said. "Actually, he's pretty good."

Jose Contreras had dinner with Chapman, his countryman, in Philadelphia. Chapman said Contreras was his idol in Cuba. Phillies reliever Danys Baez, also Cuban, couldn't make the dinner. "But I'd love to talk to him in the off-season," Baez said. . . . Jamie Moyer (elbow) continues to make progress. On Friday, he threw a 60-pitch bullpen session, some of which were curveballs and change-ups. He will throw another Monday.