I cleared my head this morning by making this Raul Ibanez postcard. He's showing signs, I think, I hope, of getting his stroke back. The Phillies slugged it out with the Brewers yesterday afternoon for a 10-6 win. Shane Victorino led the way with four RBI, including a two-run homer. Paul Hoover and Wilson Valdez again were surprise contributors, though it was mystifying to listen to FOX analyst Mark Grace go on, in reference to the two, about Charlie Manuel playing the 'young ones'. Uh, hardly, Mark. David Herndon came on for a rocky 9th and gave up one run. He left with one out and two on. Jose Contreras, again pitching in front of his mom, came in for the first save of his career, allowing Joe Blanton to get his first win of the season. The Phillies are now 12-7 on the road, the best in the NL.
After the game, it was announced that Brad Lidge was put back on the DL, retroactive to May 10, and Antonio Bastardo recalled from Lehigh Valley. Lidge continues to have problems with inflammation in his elbow and sadly sounds less and less confident each time he's asked about it. Scott Mathesion is looking great for the IronPigs but we should all keep in mind that he is still working his way back from two Tommy Johns surgeries. Let him build up to the high stress of pitching in a big league bullpen.
