Left-handed reliever Rheal Cormier entered Wednesday night's game without having allowed an earned run in 5-2/3 innings this season, and manager Charlie Manuel has indicated he may look to use Cormier in an expanded role.
"If possible, I'd like to get Cormier really going good because I'd like to pitch him in the seventh or eighth inning for us," Manuel said. "If I had him and [Ryan] Franklin both, I could give Arthur [Rhodes] a blow when we've got to give him a day off. That's where I'd like Cormier to be."
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As you may have read earlier today on www.delawareonline.com, the Phillies placed reliever Julio Santana on the 15-day disabled list with gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines) and called up right-hander Clay Condrey from Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes/Barre.
Why Condrey, and not prospect Yoel Hernandez or even Brian Sanches?
All three have been pitching well in Class AAA, but because Santana isn't expected to be lost long-term, Manuel said the Phillies decided to go with the 30-year-old Condrey, who has minimal major-league experience with the San Diego Padres in 2002-03. Neither Hernandez (2.00 ERA, six saves) nor Sanches (1.80 ERA) have pitched in the majors.
Condrey has a 2.19 ERA in eight appearances for Scranton-Wilkes/Barre.
Santana has been absent from the team since Sunday with a stomach virus. The DL stint is retroactive to April 21, so he will be eligible to pitch May 6. Santana is expected to accompany the team on the upcoming five-game road trip to Pittsburgh and Miami, which begins Friday.
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Book-keeping note: Cory Lidle got a call reversed from Monday night, and as a result, has given up one less earned run this season. The play in question, initially ruled a single for Brad Hawpe, has been changed to an error on Phils first baseman Ryan Howard.
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Barry Bonds just homered in the ninth inning off New York Mets (and former Phillies) closer Billy Wagner. It was Bonds' third homer of the season and the 711th of his career. Bonds needs four more to pass Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time list, and the Giants are coming to Philadelphia in seven days.
Just imagine the reception he'll get here.
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