After yesterday's game, which he watched from the dugout, Polanco said his back was feeling better.
"It feels a lot better today," said the 34-year-old veteran, who led all National League third baseman with a .986 fielding percentage and hit .298 with a .339 on-base percentage, driving in 52 runs and scoring 76. "Tomorrow I'm going to expect to practice and then play Friday."
Polanco was replaced at third base by Wilson Valdez, who hit .258 with a .306 on-base percentage and .667 OPS during the regular seasoon. Valdez played seven games at third, three of them starts, and did not make an error in 15 chances. Valdez started 50 games at shortstop in place of Jimmy Rollins and 35 games at second in place of Chase Utley. He combined to committ just three errors at all three positions this season.
Valdez held his own yesterday, recording assists on his two chances at third base and legging out an infield single that led to a run.
"You have to be prepared every day, no matter if you play or don't play," said Valdez, who started at shortstop in place of Rollins on the day Halladay pitched his perfect game. "I come to the ballpark with the mind-set that I'm going to get in the game sooner and I have to be prepared for that."
Big day for Vic
Shane Victorino went 2-for-4 with two RBI. His 35 career postseason hits are the most all-time for any Phillies player. He had been tied with Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. Victorino also stole a base in the third inning, which was his seventh career postseason steal, tying Rollins for the franchise lead.
Victorino doubled off Edinson Volquez in the first inning and hit a two-run single in the second.
Up next
This National League Division Series is one day longer than the other NLDS, meaning the Phillies are off today before playing Game 2 tomorrow (Roy Oswalt is scheduled to start against Bronson Arroyo). The Phillies and Reds are scheduled to work out this afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillers
The last Phillies pitcher to throw a shutout in the postseason was Curt Schilling in Game 5 of the 1993 World Series against Toronto . . . The last time the Reds were no-hit was in 1971 by Phillies pitcher Rick Wise . . . Carlos Ruiz has reached base safely in each of his last 21 postseason games with 21 hits and 18 walks (he walked twice and scored a run yesterday) . . . The crowd of 46,411 was the third-largest all-time in the history of Citizens Bank Park.
