Polanco has been one of the Phillies' most consistent hitters, finishing the regular season with a .298 batting average, 52 RBI and 76 runs despite being limited to 132 games by an elbow condition that likely will require offseason surgery. Last week, he had a cortisone injection to alleviate the pain in his elbow, thought to be caused by a bone chip. Polanco played in the Phillies' final two games of the regular season, going 2-for-7 against the Braves, but felt his back tighten up after the team returned home from Atlanta.
Wilson Valdez started in his place in Game 1, playing third base and hitting eighth. Valdez, who saw extensive playing time at second base and shortstop during Chase Utley's and Jimmy Rollins' stints on the disabled list, legged out an infield single and scored a run in the second inning of the Phillies' 4-0 win.
"I just walked by [Polanco] in the cage, asked him how he felt, and he said he felt a lot better," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's doing good. Hopefully, we have him in the game [tonight]."
Born to run
It was Roy Halladay's night Wednesday, but Shane Victorino's one-out double and subsequent steal of third base helped give Halladay a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Thanks to the steal, he was able to score on Chase Utley's sacrifice fly.
Asked how much first-base coach and baserunning boss Davey Lopes played into the moment, Victorino replied, "None.''
Victorino took advantage of the green light he almost always enjoys and stole the base on his own.
Certainly, Lopes had briefed the Phillies' hitters on Edinson Volquez' slow delivery, the same knowledge Lopes dispenses before every game. And yes, Lopes' arrival after the 2006 season directly led to Victorino's growth as a basestealer.
