"My expectations of myself are higher than anybody that has expectations for me," Lindblom said.
The Phillies, who viewed Lindblom as the centerpiece to the Shane Victorino trade, have plenty of expectations for the 25-year-old righthander. Sunday offered a taste of his talent.
With Jonathan Papelbon unavailable after pitching three nights in a row, Lindblom recorded his first major-league save. It required five outs, all of which were impressive. He threw 13 pitches, 11 for strikes, and dominated.
That effort capped a banner weekend for a beleaguered bullpen. The unit did not allow a run in six innings against first-place Washington, allowing three hits and a walk and striking out 13.
"We're definitely getting a chance to see these guys," manager Charlie Manuel said. "They're getting some experience. And some of them are improving and are definitely showing they've got talent enough to pitch."
Lindblom had little success before Sunday. He had permitted seven earned runs in eight innings with the Phillies and beat himself up for it. The trade, he admitted, made life tougher than he expected.
At first, he said, he felt the need to justify the trade each time he pitched. That added unnecessary pressure.
"I had been with the Dodgers my entire career," Lindblom said. "You think it's not going to be tough to have to deal with that. But coming to a new situation, new team, new teammates, new pitching coach, new manager, it was harder than I made it out to be on myself. I think that I was kind of pressing a little bit this first month.
"It's only one good outing. Now it's time to have that consistent approach like I did and take that out each time."
Five outs on 13 pitches will not tire anyone. In this instance, it will.
"I'll probably sleep a little bit better tonight," Lindblom said.
Brown out again
The Phillies rested Domonic Brown, suffering from minor left knee soreness, for the second straight day. Brown had started in 23 straight games before this break.
The 24-year-old outfielder said Saturday he believed the injury was a result of overcompensating for previous injuries to his right knee. By resting him Sunday, Manuel ensured three straight days of relative inactivity with Monday's scheduled day off.
Manuel expects Brown to play Tuesday.
Schwimer MIA
Righthander Michael Schwimer must report to triple-A Lehigh Valley by Monday or else the Phillies can place him on a restricted list. Schwimer, demoted Thursday, had 72 hours to report and had not done so as of Sunday evening.
A team source said Schwimer is seeking a second opinion regarding soreness in his elbow. He believes he should have been placed on the disabled list rather than optioned to the minors.
The Phillies had no comment.
Extra bases
Kevin Frandsen played third base Sunday and notched his ninth multi-hit game in his 25th start of 2012. . . . Laynce Nix's home run in the sixth inning was his first against a lefthanded pitcher since April 25, 2004.
Contact Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @magelb
