June 14 -- SURVIVOR: PHILLIES (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

When MLB Productions approached the Phillies' relievers early in spring training to pitch the idea of a reality television show, Brad Lidge had his reservations. On the surface, it sounded like fun. But, during the grind of a long season, did he really want cameras and microphones and other potential intrusions that could disrupt the bullpen's routine?

"If you're doing well and you're used to your routine, all of a sudden something changes, you think, 'This can only be bad,'" Lidge told Philled In yesterday. "But they've approached it in a way that hasn't bothered what we're doing. It hasn't taken us out of our rhythm."

And tonight, at 8 p.m., Lidge and his fellow relievers will be reality TV stars.

A six-episode series, titled "The Pen," will premiere tonight on MLB Network. The series will feature on-field and off-the-field interviews, beginning in spring training and running through the All-Star break, and will be narrated by former Phillies reliever Mitch Williams. Since spring training, a film crew has been following the Phillies' bullpen, and after catching a sneak peek at the first episode, Lidge is pleased with the final product.

"They did a good job capturing a lot of off-the-field stuff," he said. "People don't realize we have families and we're just doing the normal stuff also."

Early bets are Clay Condrey, a Texan with a deep-South twang and dry sense of humor, will be the show's breakout star. New episodes will air June 21 (9 p.m.), June 28 (8:30 p.m.), July 12 (8:30 p.m.), July 19 (8:30 p.m.) and July 26 (8:30 p.m.).

And, when the Phillies relievers kick back to watch tonight's, they'll be a tired bunch. Thinned by injuries to Lidge (knee) and Scott Eyre (calf) and taxed after tossing 16 innings in three straight extra-inning games, the 'pen was forced to log another eight last night. Condrey had to pitch one inning despite a cranky back, and Manuel said Chan Ho Park was unavailable because of some tenderness in his arm. Sergio Escalona was summoned earlier in the day from Class AAA Lehigh Valley, and it's possible the Phillies may have to recall another reliever from the minors before today's game

(Updated, 11:30 a.m.): Sure enough, the Phillies have purchased the contract of Tyler Walker from Class AAA Lehigh Valley and sent Escalona back down. I covered Walker in the minors at Class AA Binghamton way back in 2000 and 2001, and man, do I have some stories (all good, of course).

"There are some guys that are a little banged up," Jack Taschner said last night. "Any time you have to cover a ton of extra innings, that's always tough."

But at least some of them may have a reality TV career when this whole baseball thing is over.