Placido Polanco is not in the lineup on Saturday for the third consecutive game because of a left knee injury, but manager Charlie Manuel said the Phillies third baseman is nearing a return. Polanco remains sore, but he could be in the lineup on Sunday for the final game of the series against the Boston Red Sox.
Hes getting close, Manuel said. No sense of me playing him if he cant move good.
Phillies second baseman Chase Utley took part in infield drills on Saturday. It was the third time in four games that Utley participated in pre-game drills.
Manuel is eager to see Joe Blanton start for the eighth time this season. Blanton, who was injured throughout much of 2011, has been one of the most consistent pitchers on the club this season. Blanton is 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA.
During the end of last season, Manuel was impressed by Blanton's working to stay in shape. So when Blanton arrived in Clearwater for spring training, Manuel kept an open mind.
"I just wanted to see if he was healthy and if his arm was well, Manuel said. Worked hard, was in shape.
Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester has started three games against the Phillies in his career, all in Citizens Bank Park. He is 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA. The most recent outing was Jun 30, 2011, when he allowed only two hits in seven scoreless innings.
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Hes been good every time weve seen him, Manuel said. Hopefully we get to him tonight. Were due to have some success against him.
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine was ejected during the ninth inning of the Phillies 6-4 win on Friday, but Valentine said Saturday he still has not watched footage of the ejection. He did not feel his arguing warranted an ejection, and thought the play was close enough to argue.
E-mail Zach Berman at ZacharyBerman@GMail.com