Phillies Notes: Lidge is lights out in 2011 debut

It's been nearly three years since Brad Lidge dropped to his knees, his eyes and hands raised to the heavens in joy after he nailed down the save that gave the Phillies the World Series championship. That scene has become an iconic image.

The righthander has had some difficult times since, but after Lidge pitched a perfect seventh inning in his season debut in Monday's 5-4 loss to San Diego, the crowd at Citizens Bank Park welcomed him back with a standing ovation.

"It was amazing to get back out there," said Lidge, who was activated Friday after going on the disabled list March 25 with a partially torn rotator cuff. "When you get back, you just want to get out there as fast as possible. Get those butterflies out of the way. The fans were amazing.

"It felt great. I was a little jumpy, a little jittery. These fans have always been incredible for me and my career. I wish we would have won the game."

Lidge threw 11 pitches, nine of them sliders, and had a strikeout. The slider, his out pitch, showed enough bite to be effective. He mostly avoided throwing fastballs. One of them hit 90 m.p.h. He believes he can be effective relying on his slider even if the velocity on his fastball doesn't increase, but the always optimistic Lidge said the fastball will improve.

"I'll be throwing more fastballs when my command and velocity get better," he said.

Lidge had success late last season even though the velocity on his fastball had dropped. For now, though, Lidge's role is not clearly defined. Ryan Madson and Antonio Bastardo are the closers. Lidge is fine with it all. He said his shoulder feels fine and he just wants to pitch.

"My big goal is to throw a ton of games from here on out and show Charlie [Manuel] he can depend on me in any situation," he said.

Polanco eyes return

After another session of fielding grounders and hitting in the batting cages at Citizens Bank Park, Placido Polanco expressed optimism Monday that he'll return to the Phillies lineup either Saturday or Sunday.

The third baseman plans on first testing his back at triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday and perhaps again on Friday, although general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. didn't confirm the minor-league rehab assignment.