Monday, March 21, 2011
Posted: 5:24 p.m.
By Jim SalisburyCSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino was in good spirits after being knocked out of Mondays game by an outfield collision with Raul Ibanez.
Victorino was sporting a couple of small cuts and some swelling around his left eye after the fifth-inning collision. He also had a sore jaw. Victorino will be checked for a concussion on Tuesday but doesnt believe he has one.
Everything is good, he said.
Victorino may end up with a black eye but doesnt expect to miss more than a day or two.
Victorino and Ibanez collided on a triple by Bostons Nate Spears. Ibanezs shoulder smashed into Victorinos face. Victorino lay on the field for several minutes, blood dripping from his nostrils. After being tended to by team athletic trainers, Victorino rose and jogged off the field laughing. The biggest crowd ever at Bright House Field10,912gave him a rousing ovation.
Both of us were just trying to be aggressive, Victorino said. Its part of the game. Everything is fine.
Halladay shines
Roy Halladay looked to be in midseason form as he pitched 7 23 innings of one-run ball in the 4-1 win over the Red Sox. Boston starter Jon Lester opened the game with 4 23 no-hit innings. Halladay had the Phils first hit, a single.
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Halladay walked three and struck out six in throwing 98 pitches.
Roys ready, manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phils rallied for three runs against Lester in the sixth, but had just six hits on the day, none for extra bases.
At 16-9, the Phils are winning ballgames. But with just nine games to play before opening day, Manuel would like to see some more production from his offense. Manuel has expressed concern about the offense in recent days. He has bemoaned the fact that Chase Utley is out indefinitely with a knee injury, and on more than one occasion mentioned the absence of Jayson Werth, who signed with Washington in the offseason. Utley is the teams No. 3 hitter and Werth hit fifth.
You dont take that type of offense away and not feel it, Manuel said. Those are two guys that drive the ball and had .400 on-base percentages. Im not saying you cant replace it. But right now were trying to find it.
Injury check
Closer Brad Lidge, recovering from biceps tendinitis, will pitch an inning in a minor-league game on Tuesday.
Placido Polanco (hyperextended left elbow) is swinging a bat, but probably wont play for another couple of days as the Phils exercise caution.
Reliever Jose Contreras has a corneal abrasion in his eye and will miss a couple of days.
Over in minor-league camp, outfield prospect Tyson Gillies is sidelined once again with a balky left hamstring. Gillies missed several months with the injury last season. Phils officials are saying that Gillies is day to day. It is unclear if he will be ready to open the season at Double-A Reading or will need a little extra time.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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