June 2 -- A GLOVE STORY?

Lots to talk about on this manic Monday, including some notes about Ken Griffey Jr., who goes for his 600th career home run tonight against Kyle Kendrick. We'll save that for later, though. Before we look ahead, let's take a glance back at five things that struck me -- and probably you, too -- from yesterday's 7-5 victory over the Marlins.

1. My choice to focus the game story on the latest rousing comeback by the Phils' relentless offense -- in the bullpen, Brad Lidge predicted it -- left little room for discussion of Ryan Howard's defense. Perhaps it was a mirage, but Howard flashed some serious leather at first base yesterday. In the sixth inning, he snared a scorching liner by Mike Jacobs and turned it into a double play, and in the seventh, he showed sharp reflexes to make a sprawling catch on Jacque Jones' sacrifice attempt. I've always thought Howard has the ability to be a better defensive player. What he lacks are the work ethic and the desire to improve, and during the offseason, Jimmy Rollins intimated the same belief. So, when Rollins was asked about Howard's defense yesterday, he flashed a wide smile. "Superman?" Rollins said. "That was nice to see. He definitely is picking up his defensive game. You can see he's concentrating a little more, and it's only going to get better."

2. Admit it: You would've used Greg Dobbs to pinch-hit for So Taguchi in the sixth inning yesterday. Yeah, me too. But Charlie Manuel makes a lot of decisions based on gut instinct, and with the Phillies trailing 5-3, two outs and a runner on first base, his gut told him to use Geoff Jenkins. Naturally, Jenkins, 0-for-9 as a pinch-hitter this season, delivered a game-tying home run, only the second pinch-hit homer of his career. Now, Dobbs, who leads the majors with 12 pinch-hits and 11 pinch-hit RBIs, may have done the same thing. Then again, maybe he wouldn't have. Regardless, Manuel made the right move. Again.

3. Throughout his career, Lidge has been part of some darned good bullpens. In 2003, for instance, he was the setup man in an Astros 'pen that featured Octavio Dotel and closer Billy Wagner. But Lidge said yesterday that the Phillies' bullpen is even better. "Right now, we're throwing the ball as well as any bullpen I've been a part of," he said. "Every single guy in our bullpen knows what they're doing, and they get the job done. It's pretty cool to be part of this pen."

4. If former Phils catcher Mike Lieberthal has any regrets, it's that he never reached the playoffs. Lieby, who officially retired yesterday after signing a ceremonial minor-league contract with the Phils, was called up in 1994, one year after the Phillies went to the World Series. Last season, one year after he left the club, the Phils returned to the postseason. How's that for lousy timing? "That was kind of ironic," he said. "Everyone tells me how special [the playoffs] are, and that's what playing is all about. That's probably the one thing that I wish we had when I was here."

5. Finally, it was largely overshadowed by the offensive heroics and the shut-down relief pitching, but kudos to Jamie Moyer, who got his 236th career win yesterday. That puts him in pretty good company, tying him with Hall of Famer Whitey Ford for 57th on the all-time list.

OK, chew on all that for a few hours. We'll be back later to set you up for Griffey and the Reds tonight.