Phillies Notes: For Thome, it was a happy day out in the field

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jim Thome wore a wide grin in the Phillies dugout at Bright House Field before he even took batting practice Sunday morning.

"Man, it's exciting," he said.

The occasion was Thome's first appearance at first base in a major-league game since 2007. He played five innings in Sunday's 3-3 tie with Baltimore and mastered what little action was required. No balls were hit to Thome, who recorded three putouts.

That didn't make it any less awesome for Thome. He compared the feeling to nearing 600 home runs last season.

"It was a lot of fun," the 41-year-old said. "I haven't had adrenaline like that in quite a while."

But beside the joy, there are practical reasons for the Phillies to have a great interest in Thome's ability at first. While Ryan Howard is sidelined, the Phils could use Thome's pop in the lineup once a week.

Given the way Thome's body, specifically his troublesome back, have handled the fielding assignments this spring, there is reserved optimism.

"If we can do that, we might try to see if that'll work," manager Charlie Manuel said. "But right now, I want to see him play a few games."

Antonio Bastardo struck out the only two batters he faced during his first outing in a week. Bastardo was held back because of soreness in his left forearm, which the Phillies believe was caused by dehydration.

"I didn't feel it," Bastardo said Sunday.

The soreness had caused a dip in Bastardo's velocity. He averaged 92.5 m.p.h. on his fastball in 2011. One scout said Bastardo threw between 89 and 91 m.p.h. Sunday.

"I don't think there were any problems," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "He wasn't out there for an extended period, but he warmed up and got hot. He was fine."

After throwing 89 pitches and allowing two runs in 61/3 innings, Roy Halladay will ease back to end spring training. He will make one more start, Friday in Tampa, and it will be abbreviated to about 60 pitches. With an extra day of rest, he will start opening day in Pittsburgh.

"I'll try and get as fresh as I can going into the season," Halladay said.

Placido Polanco returned to the lineup after a six-game absence because of a sprained left ring finger. He played five innings and was 1 for 2 with a run scored. . . . Jose Contreras allowed a run for the third time in as many Grapefruit League outings, but Dubee remains pleased with his return from elbow surgery. "Jose has been a real bright spot this camp," he said. . . . Freddy Galvis had three more hits to raise his spring average to .271. . . . The Phillies also played a split-squad game in Lakeland, Fla., and lost, 6-3, to Detroit. Lefthanded reliever Joe Savery was hit hard.