 04/27/2003 6:42 PM ET
Notes: Abreu holding at .300
Outfielder is on a hot streak
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By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
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PHILADELPHIA -- Thanks to a 4-for-6 tear, Bobby Abreu's batting average has
returned to more familiar territory, as it approaches .300.
Hitting .256 on April 24, the hot streak has brought him to .293 entering
play on Sunday. A single in his first at-bat pushed his average to .301, his first
time over .300 this season.
"He's swinging really well," said manager Larry Bowa. "When the smoke
clears, he's gonna hit .300. I think baseball people are very aware what he can
do."
"I'm seeing the ball well right now, hitting it the other way," said Abreu,
who is hitting .474 on this home stand. "I'm always working on my mechanics and
trying to be consistent."
Bobby Abreu
/ RF
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Byrd watch: Marlon Byrd rejoined the team Sunday and will travel to Los
Angeles in anticipation of his being activated from the disabled list. That will
probably happen Wednesday, when the Phillies are scheduled to face lefty Odalis
Perez.
The rookie has struggled in his first full season with the Phillies,
hitting .161 in his first 31 at-bats. Meanwhile Ricky Ledee has hit .302 with two
homers and 12 RBIs. He added his team-tying third home run on Sunday and is
demanding more playing time with his bat.
"He's done a good job," said Bowa. "He's going to get a lot of at-bats. I
can rest Pat [Burrell]. I can rest Bobby [Abreu]. I'm not going to let that kid in center field (Byrd) bury himself."
Phanatic final Vet birthday: The Phillie Phanatic celebrated his
birthday on Sunday, and the festivities included many of his
friends. This will be his last birthday party at Veterans Stadium
In addition to many of the city's mascots, the partiers include the
world-famous, fun-loving bunch known as the "Zooperstars." Among the attendees
were Ken Giraffey, Jr., Ichiroach, Clammy Sosa and Derek Cheetah. They danced and
did tricks to the songs "Who Let the Dogs Out" and "Bye Bye Bye," among others.
The highlight of the afternoon came when the guest of honor arrived in
style, repelling down from the 700-level to the top of the Phillies dugout.
The furry green creature with the big nose arrived from the Galapagos
Islands on April 25, 1978 and hasn't left since.
This day at the Vet: 1980 -- Cardinals second baseman Ken Oberkfell hit an
inside-the-park homer in a 10-1 win over the Phillies. The shot came off Lerrin
LaGrow, who appeared in 25 games for the 1980 Phillies.
Minor news: Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre: RHP Ryan Madson allowed
two runs on four hits in five innings, but took the loss against Buffalo. ... RHP
Josh Hancock, acquired in a deal for Jeremy Giambi, started on Sunday. Double-A
Reading: Taylor Buchholz won his second game with seven shutout innings against
Harrisburg. ... SS Buzz Hannahan had two hits and an RBI. ... Single-A
Clearwater: RHP Keith Bucktrot starts Sunday against Tampa.
Philling In: Hector Mercado pitched two scoreless innings in a rehab start
for Double-A Reading, and allowed no hits and a walk. He is expected to move to Triple-A
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and make at least five starts. Bowa said the team wants to
make sure the leg is strong before the team activates him.
Coming up: The Phillies head to Los Angeles for the first stop of a
three-city road trip that also takes them through San Diego and Arizona.
Ken Mandel is a reporter for
MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball
or its clubs.
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