WASHINGTON -- So, how do the Phillies stay amused during a long, day-night doubleheader?
They place wagers, of course.
Today's big pregame activity: Most players and some coaches offered their best guess on whether Shane Victorino can hit the water cooler in the bullpen when he throws the ball back after warming up before each inning. So far, nine think he can do it. Nine don't. Brad Lidge thinks it'll be a challenge, especially because Victorino will get only one shot per inning. Lidge had a fairly detailed analysis, actually. Heck, at least it'll give us something amusing to break up the long day/night here at Nationals Park.
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Chase Utley, stuck in a 0-for-18 (and 3-for-26) slump, is getting a rest in the opener. I expect he'll be in there tonight. Here's your full Game 1 lineup against Nats lefty Scott Olsen.SS Jimmy Rollins (.199/2/11)
CF Shane Victorino (.253/4/20)
LF Raul Ibanez (.352/10/28)
1B Ryan Howard (.258/7/26)
RF Jayson Werth (.276/6/21)
3B Pedro Feliz (.306/2/21)
C Chris Coste (.220/1/6)
2B Eric Bruntlett (.125/0/3)
RHP Brett Myers (2-2, 4.81 ERA)
Rain the forecast for Game 2. Awesome.
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DC is one of my favorite food cities. A few recommendations: Martin's Tavern in Georgetown was a favorite spot for John F. Kennedy. You can actually sit in the booth where JFK proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier. Pretty cool, if you ask me. And if you want to hang with some political types, grab lunch or dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill, across from the White House on 15th Street. Great atmosphere and not terribly expensive, given the location. Can't go wrong with the burger at both places, but there's plenty more on the menu for the more adventurous among us.
Back with updates throughout the day and night.
(Updated, 3:05 p.m.): Seven innings in the books. Only 11 more to go. So far, the rain has held off, and the sun is shining. Let's hope it stays that way. Phillies lead 6-2, thanks to two Ibanez homers (he's looking like a lock for the All-Star Game, don't you think?) and a homer by Werth. Myers is pitching well against a Nationals team that had been hitting the ball well. He has allowed only three hits, including solo homers by Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham, through seven.
(Updated, 3:45 p.m.): Brad Lidge's streak is over, and this time, it's a good thing. Lidge allowed a one-out single in the ninth inning, but for the first time in seven appearances, he didn't give up a run. He picked up the save in the Phillies' 8-5 victory, pumping his fist (and probably breathing a sigh of relief) after striking out Elijah Dukes to end the game. So, that does it for Game 1. Be back in a bit with more.
(Updated, 5:13 p.m.): Bad sign. The sun is still out here, but the tarp has been rolled on to the field and the press box windows have been closed. Must be rain on the way? Still almost two hours before game time.
(Updated, 5:40 p.m.): Still no rain, but we have lineups:
SS Rollins
2B Utley
LF Ibanez
1B Howard
RF Matt Stairs
CF Victorino
3B Greg Dobbs
C Carlos Ruiz
RHP Andrew Carpenter
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