Phillies' league-best road record about to face major test

[IE]

The Phillies have the best road record in baseball. They are 16-6 outside The Bank.

Check back around midnight on June 11.

Between now and then, the Phillies' road warrior creds will be put through a thorough stress test. After yesterday's 4-2 win over the Nationals, they flew to the opposite edge of the continent where they'll play the Padres tonight in the first of a three-game series.

San Diego is 17-6 at Petco Field.

Then it's on to Dodger Stadium for four games, where first-place Los Angeles is 18-5.

The getaway game has been moved to Sunday night for ESPN, so that will be followed by a red-eye flight to New York. After an off day they'll play three at Citi Field, where the Mets are 17-9.

"Maybe we'll find out a little what we're made of," said veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer. "We've got a big trip ahead of us. So it's nice to go there with a little bit of momentum [after sweeping Washington].

"It's June and there's a lot of baseball left to be played. But as long as we can stay away from losses [like the injury to Brett Myers], I think we'll be OK."

Added lefthander Cole Hamels: "This could really set us up for the summer and what it will be like further down the line."

Manager Charlie Manuel allowed that the team is facing "a big road trip. Huge."

Then he added: "We're going to be fine."

 

[cisco]

Any news on Peavy having ankle problems? He's scheduled for tomorrow.

Tx-

 

[IE]

Peavy to get extra day's rest for ankle


An extra day of rest and rehabilitation was prescribed by the Padres for ace pitcher Jake Peavy, who'll start against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday 0instead of Monday night at Petco Park.

Sunday, Peavy walked much less gingerly and again reported progress in the healing of his inner right ankle, where he developed tendinitis while running the bases two starts ago.

Though having to adjust his delivery to minimize the pain on his push-off, Peavy made his next start with normal rest, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks, a third straight win that evened his record at 5-5.

Having cut back on his between-games work to give the ankle a chance to quiet down ? even wearing a makeshift boot to bed to keep his ankle stationary while he sleeps ? Peavy said he was in agreement with the Padres' decision to go with Kevin Correia on Monday.

?Absolutely,? he said. ?It's the logical way to go about things.?

Peavy does have a better win-loss record when pitching on six or more days of rest, a 13-8 mark compared to 31-24 on five days and 46-34 on four. But his ERA with five days rest (2.73) is better than with six (3.00)

?It's just good to know he won't miss a start because of the ankle problem,? manager Bud Black said. ?It is improving. He feels confident that it's not going to affect him.?

Chris Young will start Wednesday.